Ishii Jozo (石井醸造株式会社)
Ishii Jozo is a sake brewery in Oi, Kanagawa, in the Ashigara plain. It makes sake such as Soga no Homare and Hakone Kaido with its mochi yondan-jikomi method, along with plum liqueur. It was founded in 1870.
What kind of brewery is Ishii Jozo?
The brewery was founded in 1870 (Meiji 3) in the Ashigara plain, surrounded by the Tanzawa and Hakone mountains and close to the Soga plum grove. Its main brand, Soga no Homare, is named after the area associated with the Soga brothers and has long been familiar to locals. Hakone Kaido was named as a sake to soothe travelers. The brewery keeps to a four-stage mash method, with glutinous rice used in the final addition instead of the usual three stages.
- Water
- Brewing water is subterranean flow from the Tanzawa mountains.
- Style
- Mash is added in four stages rather than three, with glutinous rice in the last, giving a rich, full-bodied taste.
Can you visit Ishii Jozo?
- Tours
Brewery tours are held in the winter brewing season (around February) and are by reservation only. They take about one hour, are for ages 20 and over, and start from 1,100 yen.
- Shop
Direct purchase at the brewery is available.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Other brewery tours in Kanagawa
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: ishiijozo.com
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 1 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025.
- Prize (nyusho)曽我の誉PDF
Source: the prize lists of the Japan Sake Awards (National Research Institute of Brewing and Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association).