Tonoike Shuzoten (株式会社外池酒造店)
Tonoike Shuzoten is a sake brewery in Mashiko, Tochigi, making brands such as Sanran and Bo. It also produces shochu, doburoku, liqueurs and sake-based cosmetics, and runs a tourist brewery. It was founded in 1937.
What kind of brewery is Tonoike Shuzoten?
The family's sake-making began in 1829 when an Omi merchant started a brewery in Utsunomiya. His fifth son, Itsugoro Tonoike, founded Tonoike Shuzoten in Mashiko in 1937 as a branch. The first brand was Yachiyotsuru, later renamed Sanran. The current head is the third-generation owner. The Bo brand began in 2012 and Tonoike Authentic in 2019, and since 2015 the toji has led the brewing.
- Water
- Brewing water is drawn from a well on the brewery grounds.
- Master brewer
- The toji, qualified as both a Shimotsuke and a Nambu toji, leads the brewing.
Can you visit Tonoike Shuzoten?
- Tours
Tours are by reservation only; the guided course for individuals costs 1,000 yen, must be booked 2 days ahead, and runs at 10:30 and 15:00 daily (may pause in busy seasons).
- Shop
The shop is open 10:00 to 17:00 (cafe last order 16:30).
- Tasting & food
Tasting at the shop needs no reservation.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Other brewery tours in Tochigi
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: tonoike.jp
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 9 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025, with a gold prize in 6.
- Prize (nyusho)燦爛PDF
- Prize (nyusho)燦爛PDF
- Gold prize燦爛PDF
- Gold prize燦爛PDF
- Gold prize燦爛PDF
- Gold prize燦爛PDF
- Prize (nyusho)燦爛PDF
- Gold prize燦爛PDF
- Gold prize燦爛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.