Hirakou Shuzo

Hirakou Shuzo branched off from Kikunotsukasa Shuzo in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture in 1861 (Bunkyu 1) and started sake brewing in Ishinomaki. The brewery is located in Ishinomaki, a port town opening to the mouth of the Old Kitakami River, a region embracing "Sanriku Kinkasan Oki," one of the world's three major fishing grounds.
The brewing of the main brand "Hitakami" is themed "If you're doing fish, it's Hitakami!" Its soft, transparent, and sharp aftertaste is reputed to be an excellent match for seafood. Its flavor, which further brings out the umami of seafood and cleanly washes away the oils of fish, is truly "Sakana-zake" (Fish Sake).
The name "Hitakami" comes from the old name "Hitakamigawa" referring to the current Kitakami River, and also overlaps with "Hitakami no Kuni" (Land of Hitakami) receiving the blessings of the sun, described in "Nihon Shoki" as "the land is fertile and vast."
Although they suffered great damage from the tsunami in the Great East Japan Earthquake, they released the damaged sake as "Earthquake Reconstruction Sake: Light of Hope" and attracted nationwide attention. Within two and a half years of the earthquake, they renovated all the koji room, yeast starter room, and fermentation room to be fully stainless steel lined, thoroughly managing temperature and hygiene, and preparing an environment to aim for further quality improvement.