Sato Shuzo (佐藤酒造株式会社)
Sato Shuzo is a brewery in Kuju, Taketa, Oita Prefecture, making sake and shochu with subterranean water from Mt. Kuju in a cold highland setting about 700 m above sea level. It was founded in 1917.
What kind of brewery is Sato Shuzo?
The brewery was founded in 1917 in Kuju by the first-generation head, and its original brand was Hinode. In 1952 the writer Kawabata Yasunari visited Kuju and became friends with the second-generation head, which led to the brand being renamed Senbazuru. The company was incorporated in 1954, passed to a third and then a fourth generation, and the fourth-generation head became president in April 2021.
- Water
- Brewing water is soft subterranean water from Mt. Kuju.
- Style
- Winter temperatures in the highlands fall below freezing, suiting cold-season brewing (kanzukuri).
- Other
- The brewery sits in a cold area at 700 m elevation.
Can you visit Sato Shuzo?
- Tours
Brewery tours require a reservation and are offered on weekdays only, 8:00 to 17:00; tours may be declined during brewing work.
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: kuju-senbazuru.co.jp
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 3 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025.
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.