Yanagawa Shuzo

Yanagawa Shuzo is the only brewery located in Yanagawa City, a city of water in southern Fukuoka Prefecture. The representative brand "Kuninokotobuki" was born in the 23rd year of Meiji and has a history of over 100 years. With the motto "Aiming to carry through rather than omitting" as the basic philosophy of sake brewing, they continue to protect traditional manufacturing methods that insist on handmade production.
For brewing water, they use the underground water of the Yabe River system, a clear stream flowing through the Chikushi Mountains. This water, which gushes out from the underground shell layer near the mouth of the Chikugo River, is weak hard water rich in minerals and low in iron and bacteria, and has strong fermentation power and ideal characteristics for brewing. The characteristics of this hard water are the factors that create a tangy dry taste.
For rice, they use local rice cultivated in cooperation with local farmers supporting the Chikugo Plain, a rice-producing region, and carefully polished top-class Yamada Nishiki. What is particularly noteworthy is that they succeeded in the joint cultivation of sake rice called "Jugemu," an improved variety crossing "Yamada Nishiki" and "Yumeikkon," and are using it. It features uncompromising sake brewing made with 100% Fukuoka Prefecture water and rice.
In the manufacturing method, koji making is positioned as the most important process to bring out the characteristics of sake, and they are working on koji making with commitment while cherishing and loving the real thrill of sake brewing where the Toji's skills shine. "Kuninokotobuki" is brewed by old-fashioned manufacturing methods that carefully and deliberately heap up processes, and is characterized by the plump umami of rice.
In addition to sake, they also manufacture and sell shochu, liqueurs, doburoku, amazake, etc., working on the production of diverse alcoholic beverages.