REGION: Niigata

Tucked into the valleys of Gosen in northern Niigata prefecture, Kinshihai Shuzo’s history as a brewery dates to 1825 when the area was ruled by the Muramatsu clan. This small family brewery produces limited batches in the great Niigata style known as tanrei-karakuchi, ‘light and dry.’

Founded in 1843, Kirinzan Shuzo lies beneath the majestic Mt. Kirin in the northern prefecture of Niigata. The beech trees, Mt. Kirin and the Tokonami River that surround the brewery provide the perfect filtration system for the local water to become soft. In 2017 Kirinzan was able to achieve their goal of making all of their sake from rice grown in their local valley within 5 miles of the brewery.

Midorikawa Shuzo is located in the heart of Japan’s most famous rice country: Uonuma in southern Niigata. The brewery pulls water from an on-site well from 50 meters underground. They emphasize aging and blending in everything they make, producing smooth and gracious sake with a creamy texture.

Owner and brewmaster Norio Onda is the fifth generation of his family to steward Onda Shuzo, in making sake since 1875. They are a tiny operation with just Onda-san and his wife producing all the sake with one or two assistants. Onda sake is a passion project, made entirely from rice they grow themselves on 1 hectare of land. A deep and full bodied sake with the full flavors of Echigo grown rice.