Founded in 1860 (Man-en 1), Wakakoma Shuzo is the oldest sake brewery in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture. Its buildings are designated as National Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, boasting a majestic presence that preserves the history of the Meiji era to this day.
For many years, the brewery centered its production on the locally beloved "Kanto Kiku." Now, the 6th generation brewer Yoshihiro Kashiwase has returned to the brewery to pursue innovative sake-making that explores new possibilities. He launched the "Wakakoma" brand, which has quickly captivated sake enthusiasts nationwide and brought the brewery into the spotlight.
The brewery's philosophy is the harmony between "retaining the flavor of the rice while achieving clean umami and transparent acidity." Specializing in unfiltered raw undiluted sake (Muroka Nama Genshu) and low polishing ratios (such as 80% polished rice), they maximize the potential of the raw ingredients. Furthermore, they fuse labor-intensive traditional methods—such as "Mukatsu-dori" (collecting sake by the weight of the bags alone) and revived "Kioke-shikomi" (wood-vat brewing)—with modern sensibilities.
Brewed with the pure water of Oyama and rice grown in its rich soil, Wakakoma's sake, born of young passion, is filled with an unforgettable juiciness and vitality.