Takeda Shuzoten (合資会社竹田酒造店)
Takeda Shuzoten is a sake brewery in Ogata ward, Joetsu, Niigata, producing the sake Katafune, which is known for a rounded, rich, sweet style. It was founded in 1866.
What kind of brewery is Takeda Shuzoten?
The brewery began when Takeda Seizaemon started sake making at Kamikofunazu, a landing place for fishing boats, at the end of the Edo shogunate period. Today the ninth-generation head, Takeda Shigenori, runs it with his son, the tenth generation, preserving the Katafune taste. The brewery stands on a sand dune near the sea and brews with water filtered through the dune over many years. It works carefully by hand and has not turned to a light, dry style, keeping the flavor handed down over generations.
- Water
- Brews with water filtered through the sand dune over many years.
- Style
- A sweet sake with richness and roundness, yet a clean finish.
Can you visit Takeda Shuzoten?
- Tours
Tours run for small groups from mid-December to about February, during the brewing season. They are free, require advance booking, take up to five people and last about 30 minutes.
- Shop
The on-site shop sells the sake afterwards.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Other brewery tours in Niigata
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: katafune.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).