Iwanami Shuzo (岩波酒造合資会社)
Iwanami Shuzo is a brewery in Satoyamabe, Matsumoto, Nagano, that also makes shochu. It uses mainly Nagano-grown sake rice to craft crisp sake meant to be enjoyed with food. It was founded in 1872.
What kind of brewery is Iwanami Shuzo?
Iwanami Shuzo was founded in 1872 (Meiji 5) in the castle town of Matsumoto and has kept up sake brewing rooted in the local area ever since. The brewery sits in Satoyamabe, with the Japanese Alps to the west. Today it draws on the Echigo toji tradition, and the brewery's leadership and the toji work together on a theme of balancing umami and crispness. The main rice is Nagano-grown sake rice, and the aim is sake for enjoying with meals.
- Ingredients
- Mainly uses Nagano-grown sake rice.
- Master brewer
- Sake is made on the basis of the Echigo toji tradition.
- Style
- The brewery and the toji work on a theme of balancing umami and crispness.
- Other
- Across its brands, the sake keeps a rich umami profile with restrained sweetness.
Can you visit Iwanami Shuzo?
- ToursOffered
- ShopOffered
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: iwanami-sake.com
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 2 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025.
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.