Hirano Jozo (平野釀造株式会社)
Hirano Jozo is a brewery, founded in 1873. A brewery in Ōwa, Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, making sake under the Bojo brand. All brewing water, rice washing and equipment rinsing use the water of the Kokin Denju no Sato area.
- Makes
- Sake
Where to buy
What kind of brewery is it?
The brewery sits in Ōwa, Gujō, a town known as the home of the Kokin Denju poetry tradition. It draws water from the area into its garden and uses it for every step of brewing. The name Bojo comes from Jūni, wife of the founder Hirano Kichibei, who was known for devoting herself to others and to society. The second generation named the sake in her memory. Today the small brewery continues this approach, and the toji handles shipping and sales directly.
What makes it distinct
- Water
- Brewing water is from the Kokin Denju no Sato area, and the same water is used for rice washing and equipment rinsing.
- Ingredients
- Some junmai ginjo use Gujō-grown Gohyakumangoku, and one uses Hidahomare for the first time at the brewery.
- Master brewer
- The toji handles shipping and sales directly.
- Style
- Some sake are made entirely by hand using the fukuro-tsuri (drip-pressed) method.
Visiting
- Tours
- Shop
Brewery tours run on weekdays from April to October, with dates arranged by inquiry in advance. From November to March tours are not accepted during the busy brewing season, but tasting and shopping are possible until 17:00. Tours are free and booked by phone or email. Opening hours are 9:00 to 17:00. Visitors arriving by car or bicycle are asked not to taste.
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: bojo.jp