Fujisaki Sobei Shoten

Fujisaki Sobei Shoten (藤﨑摠兵衛商店) is a Japanese sake brewery with a history dating back to 1728 (Kyōhō 13). It was founded by Fujisaki Sobei Mitsushige, a merchant from the Hino region of Ōmi Province (present-day Hino, Gamō District, Shiga Prefecture), part of the so-called Ōmi merchants (近江商人) who were renowned for their business acumen and for their expertise in brewing and selling sake. The founder established the business under the trade name 'Jūichi-ya' (十一屋) in Onishi-juku on the Jūkoku Highway, a back route of the Nakasendō, in what is now the Onishi area of Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture. From there the company engaged in brewing and peddling, helping to spread sake culture along the Nakasendō. In the Shōwa 40s (1965–1974), the brewing operations were moved to a headquarters in Yorii, Saitama, while the original founding site in Gunma became a branch. Although ownership has changed over time, the original site still exists, and one of the company's sake brands, 'Kimen-zan' (鬼面山), is brewed there. The brewery uses only sake rice grown in Saitama Prefecture, such as 'Sake Musashi', and draws its brewing water from the 'Yamato-mizu' spring in the Fuppu district of Nagatoro, which is also selected as one of Japan's Famous Waters. In 2013, the company came under the umbrella of Hamada Shuzo, and the old corporate entity was dissolved due to financial difficulties. In 2018, the brewery was relocated from Yorii Town to Nagatoro Town, where it opened as the Japan Sake Brewing Research Institute 'Nagatoro-gura' (長瀞蔵). The facility consists of a brewing house and a shop building. The shop sells sake such as 'Nagatoro' made with Saitama's sake rice 'Sake Musashi', as well as nigori sake made with Saitama's table rice 'Sainokizuna', along with local foods and crafts. Visitors can taste various sakes and sample local specialties from Chichibu, and there is a rest area. The brewing house can be toured free of charge, and depending on timing, visitors may observe processes such as koji-making in the koji room. Today, Fujisaki Sobei Shoten continues to produce sake under the Nagatoro-gura brand, emphasizing local Saitama ingredients and traditional brewing methods. The company's motto, 'polish with skill, brew with heart' (技で磨き、心で醸す), reflects its commitment to quality. Its sake has won numerous awards, including gold prizes at the Wine Glass Delicious Sake Awards, Kura Master, the London Sake Challenge, and the International Wine Challenge (IWC). The brewery aims to make 'Nagatoro' synonymous with Japanese sake.

Fujisaki Sobei Shoten was founded in 1728 (Kyōhō 13) by Fujisaki Sobei Mitsushige, a merchant from Hino in Ōmi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture). He belonged to the Hino merchants, a group within the Ōmi merchants known for their skill in brewing and selling sake. The founder established the business under the trade name 'Jūichi-ya' in Onishi-juku on the Jūkoku Highway, a back route of the Nakasendō, in what is now the Onishi area of Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture. The company engaged in brewing and peddling, contributing to the spread of sake culture along the Nakasendō. In the Shōwa 40s (1965–1974), the brewing operations were relocated to a headquarters in Yorii, Saitama, and the original founding site in Gunma became a branch. Although ownership changed, the original site still exists, and the sake brand 'Kimen-zan' is brewed there. The brewery uses only sake rice grown in Saitama Prefecture, such as 'Sake Musashi', and brewing water from the 'Yamato-mizu' spring in the Fuppu district of Nagatoro, which is also selected as one of Japan's Famous Waters. In 2013, the company became part of Hamada Shuzo, and the old corporate entity was dissolved due to financial difficulties. In 2018, the brewery was moved from Yorii Town to Nagatoro Town and opened as the Japan Sake Brewing Research Institute 'Nagatoro-gura'. The facility comprises a brewing house and a shop building. The shop sells sake such as 'Nagatoro' made with Saitama's sake rice 'Sake Musashi', as well as nigori sake made with Saitama's table rice 'Sainokizuna', along with local foods and crafts. Visitors can taste various sakes and sample local specialties from Chichibu, and there is a rest area. The brewing house can be toured free of charge, and depending on timing, visitors may observe processes such as koji-making in the koji room. Today, the brewery continues to produce sake under the Nagatoro-gura brand, emphasizing local Saitama ingredients and traditional brewing methods. Its sake has won numerous awards, including gold prizes at the Wine Glass Delicious Sake Awards, Kura Master, the London Sake Challenge, and the International Wine Challenge (IWC). The company aims to make 'Nagatoro' synonymous with Japanese sake.

• 2018

  Brewery relocated to Nagatoro and opened as Nagatoro-gura.

• 2013

  Company became part of Hamada Shuzo; old corporate entity dissolved.

• 1965

  Brewing operations moved to Yorii, Saitama (Shōwa 40s).

• 1728

  Founded by Fujisaki Sobei Mitsushige in Onishi-juku, Gunma.

A historic sake brewery emphasizing locally sourced Saitama rice and water, with a modern brewery facility (Nagatoro-gura) that combines tourism, tasting, and traditional brewing.

• Nagatoro Junmai Daiginjo

  A premium sake made with Saitama-grown sake rice and Yamato-mizu water.

• Nagatoro Junmai Ginjo

  A fruity and aromatic sake.

• Kimen-zan

  A sake brand brewed at the original founding site in Gunma.

• Nigori sake with Sainokizuna rice

  A cloudy sake made with Saitama's table rice 'Sainokizuna'.

1. 1長瀞蔵トップページnagatorogura.co.jp
2. 2長瀞蔵についてnagatorogura.co.jp
3. 3Wikidata: Fujisaki Sobei Shotenwikidata.org
4. 4藤﨑摠兵衛商店 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org