Yoro Shuzo (養老酒造株式会社)
Yoro Shuzo is a sake brewery in Hijikawa, Ozu, Ehime, brewing the Kazenosato brand by hand with subsoil water from the Hiji River. It was founded in 1921.
What kind of brewery is Yoro Shuzo?
Yoro Shuzo was founded in 1921 and has brewed by hand under the motto Wajo Ryoshu. Sake making was long led by the Ikata toji group, and since January 2006 the third-generation head has served as toji himself. The July 2018 heavy rain flooded and badly damaged the brewery, but brewing resumed the following January, with crowdfunding helping pay for new equipment. The eldest son has joined as successor.
- Water
- Brewing water is Hiji River subsoil water drawn from about 10 m underground in the brewery; it is soft.
- Style
- Rice washing and soaking water is held at 9°C, and soaking time is managed to the second. Most of the brewing is still done by hand.
- Yeast
- Kazenosato Sakura hime is a junmai ginjo made with Ehime-grown Shizuku-hime rice polished to 50% and an Ehime yeast.
- Master brewer
- The president serves as toji.
Can you visit Yoro Shuzo?
- Tours
Tours are available outside the brewing season by reservation. Email requests are due one week ahead, with last-minute requests by phone. Tours are generally declined during brewing (mid-December to early March), though a partial visit may be possible.
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: yoroshuzo.jp