Sumikawa Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.
Brewery of “Toyo Bijin”
Toyo Bijin aspires to be “the clear water that flows through rice paddies.”
So says Nobufumi Sumikawa, the brewery owner and master brewer, who trained at the renowned Takagi Shuzo, the brewery behind “Juyondai,” and is considered one of the top young brewers.
Using unique rice varieties such as Yamada Nishiki, Sake Mirai, Aiyama, Omachi, and Kameji, they have produced enchanting and alluring sake that has captivated fans not only in Japan but around the world.
On July 28, 2013, the popular brewery was struck by a devastating torrential rainstorm.
Despite being buried under nearly two meters of mud and suffering catastrophic damage, they miraculously recovered through the tireless efforts of nationwide support from fellow brewers.
It will still take some time to return to normal shipping operations, but with the joy of sake brewing at their core, they are steadily moving forward.
About Sumikawa Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.
Brewery Name | Sumikawa Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. |
Location | Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
Flagship Brands | Toyo Bijin |
Origin of the Brand Name | Named in honor of the late wife of the first-generation brewery owner. |
Major Awards | Since 2006, served in the business class of JAL international flights. Selected as the official sake of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2014. In 2013, won first place in both the Junmai Daiginjo and the Kimoto/Yamahai categories at the SAKE COMPETITION. |
Commitment | Aiming to go from “zero cups to one cup,” they focus on creating floral and fruity flavors that appeal even to those who have never drunk sake before. |