Kotegawa Shuzo (小手川酒造株式会社)
Kotegawa Shuzo is a brewery and distillery in the castle town of Usuki, Oita, making black-koji barley shochu and sake under the Sorin label. It was founded in 1855.
What kind of brewery is Kotegawa Shuzo?
The brewery was founded in 1855 and has kept to hand-made production since. In the off-season it also made miso and soy sauce, which became the forerunner of Fundokin Shoyu. It was incorporated in 1958, began making barley shochu in 1979, and has made black-koji shochu since 1986. The seventh generation now leads it. Its roughly 150-year-old earthen storehouse was registered as a national tangible cultural property in 1997.
- Style
- Black-koji barley shochu is brewed by hand in the traditional way each winter, from mid-November to early March.
- Other
- Some barley shochu is aged in large clay jars, with no new spirit added to old jars.
Can you visit Kotegawa Shuzo?
- Tours
Brewery tours are accepted every day of the year, with business hours from 8:30 to 17:00.
- ShopOffered
- Tasting & food
Tastings are also offered.
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: fundokin.co.jp