Kitagawa Honke (株式会社北川本家)
Kitagawa Honke is a brewery in Kyoto Prefecture, founded in 1657, known for Tomio. A historic Fushimi brewery known for its flagship brand Tomio, brewed with soft local water to complement Kyoto cuisine. KIKI lists one of its bottles.
AI-compiled from public information, not checked by the brewery.
Key facts
| Name | Kitagawa Honke (株式会社北川本家) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kyoto Prefecture |
| Founded | 1657 |
| Makes | Sake |
| Website | www.tomio-sake.co.jp |
What kind of brewery is it?
History
Originating from an early Edo-period boat inn along the Uji River, the brewery traces its official founding to 1657. In 1910, the flagship brand Tomio was introduced. Brewing was consolidated at Inui-gura in 1986, blending artisanal technique with modern facilities.
What makes it distinct
| Water | Brewed using Fushimi's renowned soft underground water, Fushimizu. |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Uses carefully selected rice including contract-grown Yamadanishiki from Ayabe and Kyoto-developed Kyo no Kagayaki. |
| Yeast | Employs Kyoto-developed yeasts such as Kyo no Koto. |
| Master brewer | Brewing is overseen by master brewers including Yoshifumi Tajima, recognized as a Contemporary Master Craftsman. |
| Style | Focuses on clean, well-balanced sake crafted not to tire the palate and to complement food. |
Visiting
Regular brewery tours are not offered, but visitors can taste and purchase sake, including draft sake by volume, at the direct shop Okinaya.
- Shop
Bottles from this brewery
The KIKI app knows 42 bottles from this maker (1 on this site).
| Bottle | Type | Per 720 ml |
|---|---|---|
| Tomio Junmai Bihada富翁 純米酒 美肌 | Junmai | ¥1,294 |
Awards
| Year | Competition | Result | Entry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing year 2024 | Japan Sake Awards (Zenkoku Shinshu Kanpyokai) | Prize (nyusho) | 富翁 |