Nikaido Shuzo (二階堂酒造)
Nikaido Shuzo is a distillery in Oita Prefecture, founded in 1866, known for Nikaido and Kicchomu. A historic distillery that pioneered Japan's first 100% all-barley shochu and sparked a nationwide boom. KIKI lists 3 of its bottles.
AI-compiled from public information, not checked by the brewery.
Key facts
| Name | Nikaido Shuzo (二階堂酒造) |
|---|---|
| Location | Oita Prefecture |
| Founded | 1866 |
| Makes | Shochu |
| Website | nikaido-shuzo.co.jp |
What kind of distillery is it?
History
Founded in 1866 under the trade name Kiwaya brewing sake, the business pivoted to shochu in 1949 after WWII. In 1973, it succeeded in creating Japan's first 100% all-barley shochu, becoming an iconic barley shochu maker.
What makes it distinct
| Style | Distinguished by an all-barley brewing method using barley koji instead of rice koji, alongside vacuum distillation for a fruity, smooth aroma. |
|---|---|
| Water | Brewed and washed using high-quality local natural groundwater in Hiji. |
| Master brewer | Distilling techniques are passed down directly within the family, with the family successor serving as master distiller. |
Visiting
Brewery tours and tasting are not available, though products can be purchased at the head office.
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Bottles from this distillery
The KIKI app knows 10 bottles from this maker (3 on this site).
| Bottle | Type | Per 720 ml |
|---|---|---|
| Nikaido Oita Barley Shochu 25%大分むぎ焼酎 二階堂 | Barley shochu | ¥680 |
| Nikaido Kicchomu Ceramic Bottle Barley Shochu二階堂 吉四六 壺 | Barley shochu | ¥2,244 |
| Nikaido Kicchomu Glass Bottle Barley Shochu二階堂 吉四六 瓶 | Barley shochu | ¥2,342 |