Beyond the Unseen Delicacy
Where land and people converge—
A rare and precious story is quietly brewed.
Beyond the yet-untasted “UMAI,”
Awaits a journey of inquiry—
A voyage that opens the senses.
In Search of the Essence of UMAI
Where does “deliciousness” truly come from?
UMAI—a flavor yet to be defined.
Why do wordless emotions stir the soul?
Join us on a journey to explore the deeper layers of taste and sensitivity—
a path we at ITO SHUZO have been pursuing for generations.
Mastering the Form, Challenging the Norm
Guided by the Hand of the Fifth-Generation
When someone once said,
“It tastes like water”—
a comment strangely regarded as praise in the world of sake—
his soul stirred.
This is the story of a fifth-generation Toji,
one who dares to question even the compliments,
and seeks the true essence of UMAI
through his own hands and heart.
The Philosophy of a Drop
Fermentation in Dialogue with Nature
At ITO SHUZO, we don’t control fermentation — we listen to it.
By attuning ourselves to the subtle presence of nature and the quiet strength of each ingredient,
we draw out flavors that are truly one of a kind.
This philosophy of liberated brewing is what shapes our distinct taste.
Each drop reflects not manipulation, but trust — a harmony between the natural world and the brewer’s hand.
A Brewery that Brews Harmony
The Spirit of Culture and Celebration
In the name Uzume, goddess of laughter and light,
and Sarutahiko, guardian of paths and beginnings,
we find our calling — to open spaces of warmth and connection.
Whether it’s for joyous celebrations or quiet moments of sharing,
our sake carries the essence of harmony born from Japan’s cultural heart.
What begins as a drop becomes a story—
an invitation to rediscover tradition not as history,
but as a living, breathing journey toward light.
A Drop to Remember
Sake as an expression of UMAI — flavor, feeling, and philosophy in perfect harmony.
From deep questions and guided fermentation,
from cultural roots to future visions,
each bottle carries a memory—
a moment that lingers, a story that resonates.
Product. Experience. Co-creation.
ITO SHUZO invites you into the future of sake—
a brewery not only to drink from, but to belong to.
Company Profile
| Company Name | 伊藤酒造株式会社 / Ito shuzou co., Ltd. |
| Founded | 1847 (Kaei 1st year, Edo Period) |
| Incorporated | 1952 (Showa 27) |
| President & Master Brewer (Kuramoto-Toji) | Jun Ito (5th Generation Ito Kouemon) |
| Head Office & Brewery | 110 Sakura-cho, Yokkaichi City, Mie 512-1211, Japan →Click here for Access Information |
| Contact | TEL： +81-59-326-2020 FAX： +81-59-326-9800 Mail: Contact Us |
| Business Activities | ① Production and sales of Japanese sake and sake lees ②Sales of sake-related goods such as sakeware ③Production and sales of food products using sake lees ④Operation of direct sales shop BOKURA and café Wamin ⑤Tourism & sustainable development initiatives related to cultural and local resources |
| 代表銘柄 | UZUME (鈿女) SARUTAHIKO（猿田彦） Kouemon (幸右衛門) Shuen-Ketsuen (酒宴結縁) Nihonka (日本華) Shisuikyo Sakura (泗水郷佐倉) |
| Memberships & Affiliations | Japan Sake Brewers Association Yokkaichi Chamber of Commerce Mie Export Promotion Council Japan AWA Sake Association (general incorporated association) |
| Export Destinations | Hong Kong, Singapore, United States, China, Taiwan, and more |
| Direct Sales Shop: BOKURA | Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (plus irregular closures) |
A Legacy Handed Down Through Five Generations
Unchanging Values. Accumulated Wisdom. And the Blessing That Keeps Being Born.
At ITO SHUZO, we have cherished one thing above all:
The power to connect people and nature.
Even as times change, some things remain constant—
The pure water, the rice nurtured by the land,
and the heartfelt devotion of the people.
We have walked alongside these elements,
shaping them with each passing era,
layering wisdom through time.
And now, once again,
from that ever-growing wisdom,
a rare and precious blessing is born anew—again and again.
First Generation – The Birth of Wisdom
In 1847, in the fertile land of Sakura Town, blessed by the pure waters of Chishaku-Yōsui, a new chapter began during the Edo period.
Koemon Ito, the founder, did not simply aim to make sake—he aspired to create “a drop that reaches the heart.”
This became the foundation of the brewery, and the first expression of wisdom that connects nature and people.
Second Generation – Commerce that Connected, Pride that Expanded
With the launch of shipments by sea to the Kanto region, the brewery supported growing demand for celebratory sake alongside the flourishing silk industry.
Bringing “local sake beyond the local land,”
this bold endeavor gave rise to the wisdom of connection within the brewery.
Third Generation – A Lifeline Preserved
During wartime, strict regulations forced the brewery into closure.
Yet, driven by a steadfast will to keep the light of the community alive, sake brewing was revived.
“The life of a brewery is protected by the hearts of its people.”
This conviction became the bedrock that would support future generations.
Fourth Generation – Mastery in Craft, A Pride Shared with the Region
Reviving the art of ginjo brewing, the brewery achieved gold at the National New Sake Awards.
It was a proud era, walked hand-in-hand with Chishaku-Yōsui—selected as one of Japan’s top 100 natural waters.
Each bottle reflected refined technique and deep respect for the land.
As the fifth generation joined, a new initiative—“All-Mie Rice”—was born,
quietly inheriting the wisdom that connects the brewery and its home soil.
Fifth Generation – Circulating Wisdom, Connecting Through Dialogue
A place for the community to gather, share stories, and live together.
To make that vision a reality, the fifth-generation Toji opened BOKURA, a shop and hub for connection—laying the foundation for a brewery that speaks with its people.
Expanding the threshold of what sake can be called “delicious,”
he continues to explore new expressions while honoring tradition.
Blessings of the land, the spirit of people, and inherited wisdom—
he circulates them all, planting deeper roots of value to carry into the future.
History & International Recognition
1847年
・Founded by Koemon Ito, who began brewing sake alongside his farming work.
・He offered comfort to travelers with sake at a post town along the Ise Highway—thus began the story of healing through a single drop.
Late Meiji to Taisho Era (1868–1926)
・Began shipping sake by boat to the Kanto region.
・As local celebratory sake, it gained popularity alongside the rise of the silk industry.
・Also began producing traditional komodaru straw-wrapped barrels.
1952年 (昭和27年)
・Incorporated as a joint-stock company (Ito Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
1985年 (昭和60年)
・The brewery’s spring water source, Chishaku Yosui, was officially selected by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 Exquisite Waters of Japan.
2002年 (平成14年)
・Opened the direct retail shop BOKURA, adjacent to the brewery.
・Launched the “Sake Brewing Circle of Bokura,” a hands-on brewing program.
・The fifth-generation Toji formally began brewing as head brewer.
・Started a cultural program at BOKURA—a “terakoya” (community learning house) for adults.
2004年 (平成16年)
・Opened the sake café Wamin (as of 2025, open only for events).
2015年 (平成27年)
・Began export operations.
2016年 (平成28年)
・Bronze medal in the Koshu category at the International Wine Challenge 2016 (London).
2017年 (平成29年)
・Gold medal and trophy in the Junmai category at the International Wine Challenge 2017 (London) for Yamahai.
2018年 (平成30年)
・Gold medal at Kura Master (Paris) in the Yamahai category.
2019年 (令和 1年)
・Joined the awa Sake Association. Began development of sparkling sake.
2020年 (令和 2年)
・Received the “Recommend” award in the Junmai Ginjo category at the International Wine Challenge 2020 (London) for Tennyo no Mai.
・UZUME Sparkling awa was certified, becoming the first such certification in Mie, Tokai, and Kansai regions.
2021年 (令和 3年)
・Launched the Party Goddess UZUME for Relaxation series—ushering in a new style of sake.
・Silver medal in the Koshu category at IWC 2020.
2022年 (令和 4年)
・Released a pouch-style sake product Suzuka Sanroku Osanpo Pack.
・Won “Best Match with Tiramisu” at the Milano Sake Challenge for Party Goddess UZUME Level 3 Junmai Daiginjo.
・Silver medal at Milano Sake Challenge in the Junmai Daiginjo category.
・Launched PIVALO, a guiltless food and dessert brand for sake lovers.
2023年 (令和 5年)
・UZUME Sparkling awa selected for the G7 Mie/Ise-Shima Ministerial Meeting and G7 Judicial Diplomacy Forum.
・UZUME received Vegan certification.
・Silver medal again for Party Goddess UZUME Level 3 Junmai Daiginjo at Milano Sake Challenge.
・Participated in the 3rd ATOZUGI Koshien Local Qualifier.
2024年 (令和 6年)
・Platinum award at Kura Master (Paris) for SPARKLING awa.
・Top 3% (Top 22) award at Kura Master (Paris).
・Gold medal in the Japanese sake category at Feminalise World Wine Competition 2024 for UZUME Level 2.
・Gold in the Fruity category at Bishu Competition 2024 for the same.
・Launched a Local Food Project with regional partners.
2025年 (令和 7年)
・Participated in the 5th ATOZUGI Koshien Local Qualifier.
・Revived adult-only sake ice cream UZUME SAKEICE.