Tohei Shuzo sake brewery in Chiba near Tokyo

Tohei Shuzo

藤平酒造

Kururi, Chiba

Currently in their 9th generation of operations, this brewery, located in the Chiba peninsula just to the east of Tokyo, is run by three brothers as a family business. The sake does its name justice; with ‘fuku’ (fortune) and ‘iwai’ (celebration) in its name, this sake truly is worthy of a celebration.

Main Brand Fukuiwai
Founded 1716
Generation 9
No of Employees 7
Volume 300 Koku
Website https://fukuiwai.com/en/

People

People behind the scenes

Norihiki Tohei

Junzo Tohei

Biography
The middle son is the brewery’s toji and has over twenty years of brewing experience.
The youngest son, who became CEO in 2019, is also in charge of koji-making.
Interview with the Toji

(Coming soon)

History

Tohei Shuzo Sake Brewery

Founded in 1716 the brewery has a history of over 300 years. Generation after generation, Tohei Shuzo has hand-crafted sake in Chiba’s Kururi. It was the current owners’ father and predecessor, Tohei Tomio, who conceived of the Fukuiwai sake, their flagship brand. Now, having inherited the legacy from their late father, his three sons continue the management of this traditional family business.

The middle son oversees the sake production as the brewmaster, the youngest son is responsible for the koji production and the business operations, and the eldest son handles all of the administrative work. The Tohei brothers craft each and every bottle with great care leading to a style of sake that cannot be matched by mass production.

Tohei Shuzo Sake Press

The name Fukuiwai, a combination of “fuku” (fortune) and “iwai” (celebration), expresses the idea to cherish every moment in life and the special occasions.

The motto of Tohei Shuzo is to craft “only honestly delicious sake”. Fukuiwai aims to be a mid-meal type of sake with a good balance of aroma and taste, closed off with a sharp finish. Their brewing process “begins with washing and ends with washing”. With this special focus on the washing and soaking of the polished rice, Tohei Shuzo crafts sake with delicate flavors and distinct sharpness. Fukuiwai is brewed with the local fresh spring water “Kururi no Meisei”, along with sake rice carefully chosen among top varieties such as “Yamadanishiki”.

Products

Visit

Kururi Castle

Kururi Castle (久留里城址)

Castle Access from Brewery: 5 min. by car

Japanese castle ruins originally built in 1456, which was the home of the Kuroda clan.

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Nomizo Falls

Nomizo Falls (濃溝の滝)

Nature Access from Brewery: 20 min. by car

Popular photography spot with great autumn foliage. A small cascade of waterfalls pouring down through an oval cave mouth.

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Kameyama Lake (亀山湖)

Lake Access from Brewery: 15 min. by car

Dam reservoir lake with long cycle ways and boat rides. Also known for autumn foliage & carp fishing.

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Yoro Ravine

Yōrō Ravine (養老渓谷)

Park Access from Brewery: 20 min. by car

Prefectural Natural Park in southern Chiba containing the Yōrō Valley and Kiyosumi Mountains.

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