Yamaoka Brewery
Yamaoka Brewery, home of the Zuikan sake brand, stands by a river in the southeastern part of Miyoshi.
Founded around 1890, the brewery acquired the Ibori Sake Brewery, which had been in business since the Edo period. The brewery management is now in its fourth generation.
The brewery uses rice grown locally by contracting farmers, who use sustainable practices such as using ducks to weed the paddies and keep down pests instead of using herbicide and pesticides. The brewery favours the Kame-no-o, Yamadanishiki, Omachi, and Shinsenbon varieties. Located 350 m above sea level, Miyoshi has a big difference between day and nighttime temperature, which results in robust rice with a lot of starch, ideal for brewing.
The brewing water springs from a mountain 4 km from the brewery at an altitude of 500 m, where there’s heavy snowfall in winter. The water is medium-soft, and the moderate mineral content supports healthy fermentation of the yeast. It’s the best water for brewing, especially for kimoto brewing, a method of raising yeast that has been used since the Edo period.
Zuikan is a rich yet clean sake that pairs well with the local food. You can visit the brewery for tours and tastings, and to meet their beautiful goldfish.
Information
Name in Japanese: 山岡酒造
Pronunciation: yama-oka shu-zoh
Address: 489 Konucho Nishino, Miyoshi, Hiroshima 729-4102
