Shirataki Sake Brewery

Tohoku Region, Niigata Prefecture

Established: 1855

Shirataki founder Minatoya Tosuke embarked on sake production in 1855 using pristine meltwater in the lowlands of Echigo Yuzawa. Lying in the foothills of a mountain range linking Kanto (Tokyo) with the Sea of Japan side, the area flourished with inns offering travelers the treat of a hot-spring bath. Sake brewed at Shirataki healed the fatigue of countless visitors and gained a following as early as then.