Daiichi Shuzo (第一酒造株式会社)
Daiichi Shuzo is a sake brewery in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, making the Kaika brand. It was founded in 1673 and produces only specially designated sake.
- Makes
- Sake
- Japan Sake Awards
- 6 golds
Where to buy
What kind of brewery is it?
The brewery was founded in 1673 and has been a farming house from the start, with farming and sake brewing beginning together. Employees handle work in its own rice fields from planting to harvest. Since 1998 (Heisei 10) every product has been specially designated sake, and about 80 percent of shipments stay in Tochigi. Exports began with Hong Kong in 1993 (Heisei 5) and now reach North America, Europe and parts of Asia.
What makes it distinct
- Water
- The brewing water is from Sano, flowing out of old geological strata.
- Ingredients
- Rice is collected through direct contracts with nearby farmers, and grade inspection is done in-house.
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: sakekaika.co.jp
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 7 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025, with a gold prize in 6.
- Gold prize開華PDF
- Gold prize開華PDF
- Gold prize開華PDF
- Gold prize開華PDF
- Gold prize開華PDF
- Prize (nyusho)開華PDF
- Gold prize開華PDF
Source: the prize lists of the Japan Sake Awards (National Research Institute of Brewing and Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association). Brewing year 2019 had no final judging, so no gold prizes.