Fukuda Shuzo (福田酒造株式会社)
Fukuda Shuzo is a sake brewery on Shijiki Bay in Hirado, Nagasaki, that makes the Fukutsuru and Nagasaki Bijin brands, along with shochu and herbal liqueurs.
What kind of brewery is Fukuda Shuzo?
The brewery began making sake on Shijiki Bay in 1688 (the first year of Genroku) on the order of the lord of the Hirado domain. The founder was Chojibeimon Fukuda, and a 15th-generation owner now leads the company. In recent years it has grown pesticide-free rice with farmers in southern Hirado. For over 20 years it has also turned shochu lees into compost for local farmers, and solar panels on the roof supply about half of its electricity.
- Ingredients
- Nagasaki Bijin Daiginjo uses Yamada Nishiki grown by contract farmers in Nagasaki and is fermented slowly at low temperature.
- Style
- Fukutsuru Tokubetsu Junmai balances rice flavor and acidity and can be enjoyed from chilled to lukewarm.
- Other
- The freshly pressed sake is bottled gently, aiming for a delicate sake with a faint sparkle in the mouth.
Can you visit Fukuda Shuzo?
- Tours
Visitors can tour the brewery and its two-story museum and taste sake. Hours are 9:00 to 15:00, closed on January 1 and Sundays. For Sundays or holidays, call a week ahead; bookings are by phone or email.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Other brewery tours in Nagasaki
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: fukuda-shuzo.com
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 6 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025, with a gold prize in 3.
- Prize (nyusho)福海 山田錦 火入PDF
- Gold prize福鶴・長﨑美人PDF
- Gold prize福鶴・長﨑美人PDF
- Prize (nyusho)福鶴・長﨑美人PDF
- Gold prize福鶴・長﨑美人PDF
- Prize (nyusho)福鶴・長﨑美人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.