Nishibori Shuzo (西堀酒造株式会社)
Nishibori Shuzo is a brewery in Oyama, Tochigi, founded in 1872. Besides sake under the Wakazakari, Mongaifushutsu, Nishibori and ILLUMINA brands, it makes shochu and whisky at its Nikkō Kaido Oyama Distillery.
- Makes
- Sake and Shochu
- Japan Sake Awards
- 3 golds
What kind of brewery is it?
The brewery was founded in 1872 by the first Nishibori Sanzaemon in Oyama, Tochigi. The founder bought one building of a kimono wholesaler's sake brewery, drawn by the spring-fed water and the rice paddies of the area. The second generation laid the foundations of the brewery, and most of the buildings that remain date from that period. In the Showa era Wakazakari became the flagship brand, and Mongaifushutsu was created in the early Heisei era. Today the brewery follows the methods of the late toji Keieda Kuniichi, and the company's own staff serve as toji.
What makes it distinct
- Water
- The brewery uses natural spring water from the Nikko mountain range that rises from the well on its grounds.
- Ingredients
- The Nishibori series uses 100% sake rice of one variety and one grade, and each tank is brewed differently.
- Master brewer
- The toji is a company employee who worked under the late toji Keieda Kuniichi, a Nanbu toji.
- Style
- Mongaifushutsu is made as a rich, full-flavoured food sake suited to the food culture of Tochigi.
- Yeast
- The brewery brews sake with the resident yeast that lives in its old brewhouse.
- Also
- Many buildings on the site are registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan, and many visitors come to tour them.
Visiting
- Tours
- Shop
Brewery tours are by reservation. The standard tour runs in two sessions, and check-in opens after the shop opens.
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: nishiborisyuzo.com
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 5 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025, with a gold prize in 3.
- Gold prize若盛 門外不出PDF
- Prize (nyusho)若盛 門外不出PDF
- Gold prize若盛 門外不出PDF
- Prize (nyusho)若盛 門外不出PDF
- Gold prize若盛 門外不出PDF
Source: the prize lists of the Japan Sake Awards (National Research Institute of Brewing and Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association). Brewing year 2019 had no final judging, so no gold prizes.