Katayama Shuzo (片山酒造株式会社)
Katayama Shuzo is a sake brewery in Nikko, Tochigi, brewing with subsoil water of the Daiya River and pressing by the traditional Sase-style method; its main brand is the undiluted sake Kashiwazakari. It was founded in 1880.
What kind of brewery is Katayama Shuzo?
The brewery was founded in 1880 (Meiji 13). Its first founder left Kashiwazaki in Niigata in search of good water and settled on Imaichi in Nikko. Since then it has used the subsoil water of the Daiya River, called Senryo-mizu, and kept the Sase-style pressing, in which bagged moromi is stacked and pressed slowly. It also kept making undiluted sake through a period when tax rules made this hard, and it emphasizes direct sales by the brewery.
- Water
- The brewing water is Senryo-mizu, soft subsoil water of the Daiya River pumped from 16 m underground.
- Ingredients
- The rice used is Yamadanishiki from Hyogo Prefecture.
- Yeast
- The yeast is one developed by Tochigi Prefecture.
- Style
- Sugao is a nama genshu bottled from only the portion that seeps out before pressing, without filtering or heat treatment.
Can you visit Katayama Shuzo?
- Tours
Brewery tours are free and by reservation, starting at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 15:00, lasting about 20 minutes with a maximum of 30 people. From January to March tours run Monday to Saturday only. Reservations are taken by phone or Jalan until the day before.
- ShopOffered
- Tasting & food
Several sakes are offered for tasting, and souvenir products are available.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Other brewery tours in Tochigi
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: kashiwazakari.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).