Please find the list of Sake breweries in Iwate, the North end of Honshu island(main island) in Japan.

Characteristics of Sake from Iwate Prefecture

 As you may be aware by now, flavours and charms of Sake are largely influenced by Toji. The Toji group in Iwate is called Nambu Toji (南部杜氏), which is one of the three largest Toji groups of Japan besides Echigo Toji of Nigata and Tamba Toji of Hyogo. Nambu Toji inheriting the technics delivered from Itami of Hyogo Prefecture in Edo Period, started professional Sake production in Morioka under a protection and developmental support of the clan.  

  Nambu Toji is one of the largest groups among Tojis in Japan. The title of Nambu Toji was originally given exclusively to the Tojis originated from the Morioka Clan, Hachinohe Clan and Shichinohe Clan. However, Tojis who learned technics of Nambu Toji are dispersed across Japan to create delicious Sake of each local region so the tile is currently used in a broader sense. If you have a chance to drink Sake from Iwate Prefecture, I recommend you try one made by Nambu Toji.

4. Iwate Meijo Co., Ltd (岩手銘醸株式会社)

岩手銘醸株式会社 | 岩手の日本酒「岩手誉」、奥州市前沢の酒蔵 (iwate-meijo.com)

Iwate Meijo Co.,Ltd. / 岩手銘醸株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 2 breweries located in Maezawa of Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, that started in the Meiji Era were merged in 1955 to form Iwate Meijo Co., Ltd. The brewery has been in contract with local rice farmers that grow Kameno-o (亀の尾) since 1993, and Yuinoka (結の香) Sake rice since 2017. Both Sake are rice originated in Iwate Prefecture. Maezawa of Oshu City is also famous for its luxurious beef production, known as Maezawa beef. Under these geographical factors, the brewery continues to develop Sake enjoyed with meals which can fully extract the charms of each local ingredient.

Representative brand : Uwate Homare（岩手誉）

 Iwate Meijo Co., Ltd uses Sake rice from contracted rice farmers with a strong determination to be locally connected, claiming ‘Sake production from local rice’. Thanks to cooperation with a wide range of people, it won various awards. Outstanding brands such as Iwate-homare and Kameno-o are brewed by rice, water, and craftmanship of the supreme quality.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 11 minute walk from JR Maezawa Station
• Brewery visit is available with prior reservation

5. Iwanoi Shuzo Co., Ltd (磐乃井酒造株式会社)

岩手県 | 磐乃井酒造株式会社 | 日本 (iwanoi.co.jp)

Iwanoi Shuzo Co.,Ltd. / 磐乃井酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 The brewery was established on 30 October 1917 based in Shichigamura of Hanaizumi Region, with 175 employees and a capital sum of 12,500 yen. The region had no official Sake producers with Toji, however, there existed underground production of muddy Sake (Doburoku). Local volunteers who were concerned about the situation attempted to build a Sake production company supposing that the secret production can be terminated through an exchange of rice and Sake.

In the first year, 480 Koku was brewed and 300 Koku was sold. Supported by the booming economy, its capital was increased as much as 40,000 yen with its number of shareholders reaching 299 in 5 years after the establishment. Business showed a healthy grow: Sake production itself increased by 820 Koku, and sales reached 650 Koku.

Representative brand : Iwanoi（磐乃井）

 It has always focused on the locally connected production from the beginning. A majority of rice used for Sake production nowadays is still that of Hanaizumi-cho, and local water is used as preparation water. The brewing process lasts from November to March, engaged by a total of 5 staff (president, employees and local rice farmers). Brewers aim to maintain long-loved clear Sake with umami of rice, as a symbol of Iwanoi.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 24 minute walk from JR Hanaizumi Station
• Brewery visit is available with prior reservation

6. Kamihei-Shuzo CO., Ltd (上閉伊酒造)

地ビールの通販・お取り寄せ｜上閉伊酒造 (kamihei-shuzo.jp)

Kamihei-Shuzo Co.,Ltd. / 上閉伊酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 Kamihei-Shuzo is a small-scaled brewery that produces local Sake and local beers in Tono City of Iwate Prefecture, where production of rice and hop is well-known. Tono City is situated in a basin that offers a severely cold winter climate, so it is ideal for Sake production. Clear water, air, rice, hop are transformed into its Sake and beer through the brewery’s cordial artisanal work.

Representative brand : Kokka-no Kaori（國華の薫）

 7 entities in Kamihei District (Tono, Kmaishi and Ozuchi) were merged to form a company, Kamihei-Shuzo Co., Ltd. in1944. The brewery says “Kokka-no Kaori has been loved by locals since then, so we believe that it is one of our responsibilities to hand over each drop of Sake inherited by Nambu Toji to the future with a sincere mind.”

Access and brewery visit information:

• 20 minute walk from JR Aosasa Station
• Brewery visit is available with prior reservation

7. Kawamura Brewery Limited Partnership (合資会社川村酒造店)

全量純米蔵を目指す会 (zenryojunmaikura.jp)

Kawamura Brewery Limited Partnership / 合資会社川村酒造店 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 Yoemon Kawamura started Kawamura Brewery Limited Partnership in 1922. Yoemon started to live and work at a Sake brewery at the age of 16, became Toji at 24, received an award of excellence at the Second Tohoku 6 prefecture Sake Award, and received first prize gold medal. A record says that Yoemon contributed to the establishment of Nambu Toji Association.

Representative brand : Yoemon（酉与右衛門）

 The brewery produces full-bodied sharp Sake in a blessed environment where high quality water and air is available. The brewery tries to fully extract characters of ingredients, notably Awa-Yamadanishiki, Bizen-omachi, Jikaden-Miyamanishiki, and Iwate-Ginginga, and brews Sake with an intense care. Acidity with mild aroma comes prior to umami, which makes it a great accompanying drink with dishes such as local beef, pork, chicken, seafood, wild plants, soba noodles, and cereals. It creates a great harmony with not only with Japanese but also with Western and Chinese cuisine.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 13 minute walk from Shiwaguchi Bus Stop
• The brewery is not open to public

8. Kikuzakari Sake Brewery (喜久盛酒造株式会社)

喜久盛酒造 (kikuzakari.jp)

Kikuzakari Brewing Co.,Ltd. / 喜久盛酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 Kikuzakari Brewing was established in 1894. It used to produce relatively cheap Futsu-shu at the beginning for a local consumption. However it transformed the styles gradually to reduce brewer’s alcohol to finally became the first brewery in the prefecture to produce Junmai Sake only. Junmai Sake is produced exclusively from Iwate-produced rice. No water is added and the Sake is not filtered after its completion. All products are currently delivered as non-filtered Genshu.

Representative brand : Taxi Driver（タクシードライバー）

 Taxi Driver was developed from a collaborative work between 5^th Generation master, Takuya Fujimura, being in charge of Sake brewing, and art director, Yoshiki Takahashi, being in charge of its naming and label design. Since its launch in 2007, this Junmai Sake is widely loved by Sake fans under a nickname of ‘Takudora’.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 8 minute walk from Ogawa Yashiki Bus Stop
• The brewery is not open to public

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