Kawajiri Shuzo　|　Hida Jizake Gura

Kawajiri Shuzo(Takayama)

history

The smallest sake brewery in Hida continues to make sake with care

Kawajiri Sake Brewery is located in an old townscape filled with charm, elegance and atmosphere. It is one of the smallest sake breweries in the country, and was founded in 1839 (Tenpo 10) at the end of the Edo period. In the 1970s, they completely stopped using sugar and seasonings, triple brewing, and selling in barrels. They now use special methods for all of their products that other breweries would only use for a select few specialty items. To this day, they are the only privately-run brewery in Hida that continues to strive to produce sake with a rich flavor. We brew small batches of sake and sell most of the finished product only to retailers in Takayama City. Therefore, we strive every day to brew sake that will continue to be loved by the local people of Hida, striving to maintain the same flavor.

Sake brewing

Traditional techniques and brewing methods to bring out the original flavor of sake

In pursuit of the full-bodiedness of sake and the five tastes of Japanese sake, the ingredients are carefully selected from pure rice sake to ordinary sake, and all of the Hida rice is purchased as brown rice, polished in-house, and the rice is steamed in a steamer and a Japanese kettle, then cooled slowly and thoroughly by exposing it to the natural cold air. This allows for the ideal mash progression. The sake is then pressed using a special method, which removes the sweetness and spiciness, resulting in a stimulating, rough taste. For this reason, the finished sake is not shipped as is, but is aged for several more years to give it a mellow flavor and umami taste. By selecting high-quality ingredients, processing them carefully, and continuing to brew according to the basics, the sake is able to achieve the flavor that the brewer desires.

Aged sake

A rich, flavorful sake with the five tastes of Japanese sake

Rather than the light, easy-to-drink sake of recent years, we have continued to seek out the original richness and depth of sake, which has a mellow harmony of the five flavors that make up sake, and have arrived at “aged sake”. All sake other than Ori-zake is aged for at least 2-3 years in a cellar under strict temperature control before being shipped. Aging gives the sake a soft, rounded flavor that mellows out any harsh edges, resulting in the true appearance and flavor of sake that the brewer desires. Since the sake is originally brewed in small quantities, most of it is consumed locally and is not often distributed to the general public. It is by no means a sake that will appeal to everyone, but we continue to brew sake with the aim of creating rich, flavorful sake that will make you feel like “after drinking this, other sakes are not enough.”

website: https://www.hidamasamune.com/

brand: Hida Masamune(ひだ正宗)

tel: 0577-32-0143

address: 〒506-0845　岐阜県高山市上二之町68

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business hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00

closed day: Irregular holidays