Matsuo Shuzo (松尾酒造株式会社)
Matsuo Shuzo is a sake brewery in Tosayamada, Kami City, Kochi, founded in 1873. It brews sake such as Matsuokina with local water and rice grown in Kochi.
- Makes
- Sake
- Japan Sake Awards
- 1 prize
Where to buy
What kind of brewery is it?
The brewery was founded in 1873 in Tosayamada and named its first brand Matsunoi after a well dug on the grounds. In 1892 the brand was renamed Toyo Masamune. It expanded into mirin at the end of the Meiji era and shochu in the early Taisho era, then cut back during the depression and focused on sake. After the war the name Matsuokina was added. The current head is the seventh generation counting from the first, Matsuo Shokichi.
What makes it distinct
- Water
- Brewing water is mainly subsurface water of the Monobe River system from Mt. Shiraga in Kami; some sake use Muroto deep ocean water.
- Ingredients
- All rice is from Kochi, mainly Gin no Yume and Tosa Urara.
- Yeast
- Mainly uses Kochi yeasts CEL-19, AA-41 and AC-26, plus space-flown and deep-sea yeasts.
- Style
- Aims for sake with firm acidity and body that suits Kochi food and stays easy to drink.
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: matsuokina.com
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 1 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025.
- Prize (nyusho)山田太鼓 大吟醸PDF
Source: the prize lists of the Japan Sake Awards (National Research Institute of Brewing and Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association).