After princess Yamatohime-no-mikoto (倭姫命) moved the shrine of the sun goddess to its present location at Ise, she came across a white crane in a swamp.

The princess bid the god Isawatominokami (伊佐波登美神) to brew sake from the rice and offer it to the sun goddess.

In 2007, Sawanotsuru received the Crystal Prestige Trophy in the 45th World Selection, which is awarded in recognition to companies who have participated and produced consistent quality over the past 10 years.

The Sawanotsuru Museum was opened in November 1978, with the aim of leaving the history of sake brewing to future generations.

In March 1980, both the museum and the sake brewing tools held within it were designated as "Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties" by Hyogo Prefecture.