Setou Shuzo

Setou Shuzo Co., Ltd. was founded by the first generation Tajibei Seto in Shiota-cho, Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture under the brand name "Maruhei Masamune." Upon incorporation, "Azumacho" was launched. The name was given by Takashi Hara, then President of the Seiyukai and Prime Minister, who praised the refreshing and generous drunken feeling, saying "It is worthy of the chief of the land of Azuma (East), that is, the King of the Orient." It was served to the envoy of Emperor Taisho, was a supplier to the Imperial Household Ministry before the war, and became a designated product for GHQ after the war, fascinating General MacArthur. For "Azumacho," all sake, even the Honjozo sake known as regular sake, is brewed using locally grown rice from Saga Prefecture and manufactured using the three-step brewing method. Eight buildings, including the sake brewery and the main house built from the late Edo period to the Taisho era, are designated as "Saga Prefecture Heritage."