Yawatagawa Shuzo (八幡川酒造株式会社)
Yawatagawa Shuzo is a sake brewery in Saeki Ward, Hiroshima, producing sake under brands such as Yawatagawa.
- Makes
- Sake
- Japan Sake Awards
- 2 golds
Where to buy
What kind of brewery is it?
The brewery was founded in 1824, in the Bunsei era, and has handed down a spirit of putting quality first through the generations. It began from a wish to let people in Hiroshima enjoy good sake, and it works with local chambers of commerce, agricultural cooperatives and municipalities to use local ingredients. Each year, before brewing starts, a Shinto priest from Yawata Shrine is invited to hold a ritual praying for the safety of the brewers and a good sake.
What makes it distinct
- Water
- The brewery uses subterranean water springing from Mt. Gokurakuji.
- Ingredients
- It uses Hiroshima-grown rice such as Yamadanishiki, Senbonnishiki, Hattanishiki and Nakate Shinsenbon.
- Also
- Fermentation temperature is controlled with cooling equipment. Brewing starts around November, and new sake reaches the market around June.
Visiting
- Shop
The brewery has a direct-sales shop, and a tasting and sales event was held on Saturday, 8 August 2026, 10:00 to 14:00. Those tasting are asked to come by public transport or with a designated driver.
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: yahatagawa.co.jp
Japan Sake Awards
A prize-winner in 8 of the 9 contests from brewing year 2017 to 2025, with a gold prize in 2.
- Prize (nyusho)八幡川PDF
- Gold prize八幡川PDF
- Gold prize八幡川PDF
- Prize (nyusho)八幡川PDF
- Prize (nyusho)八幡川PDF
- Prize (nyusho)八幡川PDF
- Prize (nyusho)八幡川PDF
- Prize (nyusho)八幡川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.