Fukuine

Fukuine is one of the representative brands of Kataoka Shuzojo, a historic brand name derived from local legends associated with Kobo Daishi (Kukai).
According to legend, when Kobo Daishi visited the village of Hoshuyama, he received warm hospitality from the villagers, and later when the village suffered from famine, rice sprang from a well called "Fukui" and saved the village, leading to the name "Fukuine". This legend is an important story symbolizing the history and culture of Hoshuyama, Toho Village.
For brewing water, Iwaya Spring Water, selected as the only "100 Best Waters of Japan" in Fukuoka Prefecture, is used. This famous water, which springs out as soft water with excellent mineral balance after rain falling on the mountains of Koishiwara is filtered deep underground over many years, is the source of Fukuine's clear and soft taste. The clear water quality created by the location in the mountainous area of the Chikugo River source region brings transparency and elegance to the overall sake quality.
Fukuine is developed in multiple grades such as Junmai Ginjo and Junmai Sake, and the brewery recommends enjoying it as warmed sake during meals. By warming, the umami of rice swells plumply, the soft mouthfeel derived from Iwaya Spring Water stands out even more, and harmony with meals deepens. It has a deep sake quality that is delicious whether chilled or warmed, goes well with local dishes of mountainous areas, river fish dishes, seasonal wild vegetable dishes, etc., and is familiar as local sake that nestles close to the food culture of Toho Village.
As a symbol of reconstruction from the Northern Kyushu Torrential Rain Disaster in 2017, the "Tōhō Ikkon" group played a central role in promoting efforts to revive sake rice cultivation in the village for the first time in about 50 years. As "Revival Sake", Fukuine is a brand where the history and nature of the region and the bonds of people are condensed, and it is an existence that can be called the treasure of Toho Village, utilizing rice nurtured by Iwaya Spring Water of the 100 Best Waters of Japan and the rich nature of Koishiwara.