Company Outline

Company Outline

Sixth Generation Master Tsuyoshi Nakao
Sixth Generation MasterTsuyoshi Nakao

Sake is a wonderful aspect of our food culture, cultivated for over 2,000 years in the rich history and climate of Japan. And it plays an integral part in various aspects of our daily lives today.

Our mission is to preserve the traditions of and devote ourselves to brewing authentic Japanese sake, never swayed by trends and always focused on enriching the hearts of those who taste our products.

Taking care at every turn in the more than one hundred tasks that go into sake brewing results in big differences in quality, and those who drink our sake will feel it in their hearts. We may sometimes wonder if a small change is really reflected in the flavor or if the drinker will even notice, but we know that the only way to create truly delicious sake is to follow through on everything we believe.

It is this approach to sake brewing that is the very meaning of our existence.

Sixth Generation Master Tsuyoshi Nakao
Sixth Generation MasterTsuyoshi Nakao

Origin・Creed

Established in 1871. Our company began with the establishment in 1871 of a brewery in Takehara, a small town on the picturesque Seto Inland Sea.

Our signature Seikyo brand, which means “true mirror”, was born with a wish from our founder that “the sake poured into a cup may be like a mirror, with the quality of the sake reflecting the sincerity in our brewers’ hearts as they devote themselves to sake brewing.”

Ever since, our brewers have worked diligently to create sake and convey that spirit of whole-hearted devotion.

History

1871
Brewery established with the name “Hiroshimaya”
1909
Second class designation in nationwide competition
1927
4th generation Kiyoma researches yeast under agricultural chemist and microbiologist Kinichiro Sakaguchi
1940
Original apple yeast developed (4th generation Kiyoma)
1947
High-temperature Yeast Mash Saccharification method developed (4th generation Kiyoma)
1948
1st prize in national competition
1949
3rd prize in national competition; chosen for Imperial Household New Year Celebration (for 3 years)
1955
High-temperature Saccharification Method awarded Inaugural “Distinguished Technical Service Award” by the Japan Sake and Friends Association
1962
Barrel sake bottled for sale (an industry first)
1971
100-year anniversary of brewery’s establishment
1972
Wine-making trials commenced
1974
“Maboroshi”-branded sake made with apple yeast launched and presented to the Imperial Household
2002
“Ocho Lemon Sake” launched
2003
First issue of “Kuramotodayori” magazine published
2004
“Ocho Lemon Sake” won Director’s Award from the Food Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
2007
“Maboroshi Kurobako” won gold medal at International Wine Challenge, the largest international competition of its kind
2009
“Maboroshi Kurobako” selected for service in first class on ANA European routes
Also chosen for service at Prime Minister Putin’s banquets
2010
“Maboroshi Kurobako” in top 3 in Daiginjo category in U.S. National Sake Appraisal
2013
“Junmai Takehara” won gold medal in Junmai-shu category in U.S. National Sake Appraisal

Company Details

Company NameNakao Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Address5-9-14 Chuo, Takehara-shi, Hiroshima-ken
TEL+81-846-22-2035
(Telephones can not be handled in English. Please contact me by e-mail.)
FAX+81-846-22-8515
Establishment1871 (Meiji 4)
Incorporation1941 (Showa 16)
RepresentativeManaging Director Tsuyoshi Nakao
Business ContentBrewing of sake, shochu, and fruit-based liquors
EmployeesBrewing 7, Bottling 8, Administration and sales 7
Production RatiosGinjo/Junmai 92%, Honjozo 6%, Futsu-shu 2% (2017 figures)
Sales BreakdownHiroshima 47%, Kanto 20%, Chubu 6%, Kansai 7%, Overseas 16%, Other 4% (2017 sales figures)

We apologize that we are unable to take phone calls in English.
If you have an inquiry in English, please send us an email and we will be happy to respond.

Awards History

2002

  • The National Research Institute of Brewing (NRIB)Annual Japan Sake AwardsGold Prize Winner

2005

  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Junmai-shu(Tokujo Seikyo Junmai) Gold Medal

2006

  • NRIB Annual JapanSake AwardsGold Prize Winner
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Ginjo-shu(Daiginjo Maboroshi) Gold Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Junmai-shu(Tokujo Seikyo Junmai) Gold Medal

2007

  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Ginjo-shu(Junmai Maboroshi) Gold Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2007 SAKEJunmai Ginjo/Junmai Daiginjo(Maboroshi Kurobako) Gold Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2007 SAKEJunmai(Seikyo Junmai Takehara) Bronze Medal

2008

  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Ginjo-shu(Daiginjo Maboroshi) Gold Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Junmai-shu(Tokujo Seikyo Junmai) Gold Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Honjozo(Seikyo Tokubetsu Honjozo Chokarakuchi) Gold Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2008 SAKEJunmai Ginjo/Junmai Daiginjo(Maboroshi Kurobako) Bronze Medal

2009

  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Junmai Ginjo(Jungin Maboroshi) Gold Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Junmai(Junmai Takehara) Gold Medal
  • International Sake Challenge (ISC) 2009Junmai Daiginjo(Maboroshi Akabako) Silver Medal
  • International Sake Challenge (ISC) 2009Junmai (Junmai Maboroshi) Silver Medal

2010

  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Junmai Ginjo(Junmai Ginjo Omachi) Gold Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Daiginjo-shu B (rice polishing ratio 50% or less)(Maboroshi Kurobako) Gold Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE) Ginjo-shu(Jungin Omachi) Gold Medal
  • International Sake Challenge (ISC) 2010Junmai Ginjo(Junmai Maboroshi) Bronze Medal

2011

  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2011 SAKEJunmai-shu(Junmai Maboroshi) Bronze Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2011 SAKEJunmai-shu(Seikyo Junmai Chokarakuchi) Bronze Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2011 SAKEJunmai Ginjo/Junmai Daiginjo(Maboroshi Kurobako) Bronze Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Junmai Ginjo(Jungin Maboroshi) Gold Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Junmai(Junmai Takehara) Silver Medal
  • International Sake Challenge (ISC) 2011Junmai(Junmai Omachi) Bronze Medal

2012

  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Daiginjo-shu B (rice polishing ratio 50% or less)(Maboroshi Kurobako) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Junmai(Junmai Takehara) Silver Medal

2013

  • Slow Food Japan Kan Sake Contest 2013Great Value Warm/Hot Honjozo-shu(Tezukuri Karakuchi) Gold Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Daiginjo-shu B (rice polishing ratio 50% or less)(Maboroshi Kurobako) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Ginjo-shu(Junmai Ginjo Omachi) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Junmai-shu(Junmai Takehara) Gold Medal

2014

  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Ginjo-shu(Junmai Ginjo Omachi) Silver Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauHiroshima Regional Taxation Bureau(Junmai Takehara) Gold Medal

2015

  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Daiginjo-shu B (rice polishing ratio 50% or less)(Maboroshi Kurobako) Gold Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Ginjo-shu(Junmai Ginjo Omachi) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Junmai-shu(Junmai Takehara) Gold Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2015 SAKEJunmai-shu(Junmai Takehara) Silver Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2015 SAKEJunmai Ginjo/Junmai Daiginjo(Jungin Maboroshi) Silver Medal
  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2015 SAKESparkling(Junmai Sparkling) Silver Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards SAKE IN HIROSHIMA 2015(Junmai Ginjo Maboroshi) Popular Junmai-shu
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards SAKE IN HIROSHIMA 2015(Junmai Sparkling) Popular Sparkling Sake

2016

  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2016 SAKEJunmai-shu(Junmai Chokarakuchi) Bronze Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Daiginjo-shu B (rice polishing ratio 50% or less)(Maboroshi Kurobako) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Ginjo-shu(Jungin Maboroshi) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Ginjo-shu(Junmai Ginjo Omachi) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Junmai-shu(Junmai Takehara) Silver Medal
  • Japan Kan Sake ContestGreat Value Warm Sake(Tezukuri Karakuchi) Gold Medal
  • Japan Kan Sake ContestGreat Value Hot Sake(Junmai Takehara) Gold Medal

2017

  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2017 SAKEJunmai Ginjo/Junmai Daiginjo(Maboroshi Kurobako) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Daiginjo-shu B (rice polishing ratio 50% or less)(Maboroshi Kurobako) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Ginjo-shu(Jungin Maboroshi) Silver Medal
  • U.S. National Sake Appraisal (JOY OF SAKE)Junmai-shu(Junmai Takehara) Silver Medal
  • Japan Kan Sake ContestGreat Value Hot Sake(Junmai Takehara) Premium Gold Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Aji (Taste)(Junmai Ginjo Omachi) Gold Medal
  • Hiroshima Regional Taxation BureauChugoku Sake Awards Warm Sake(Junmai Takehara) Gold Medal