Brewing in Noto

Noto has been known for brewing sake and producing soy sauce for more than 150 years. It is a region surrounded by mountains and sea, increasing the richness of these products’ taste and quality.
Since Noto is registered as a World Agricultural Heritage Site, our mission is to create a sustainable future by maximizing the enrichment of Noto including its resources, local people, and culture with its superior brewing technique. Our vision is to protect the breathtaking landscape, develop the ecological cycle and pass this on to the next generations.

How We Make Sake

Commitment to the rice of Noto and 100% in-house rice polishing

The rice used in Noto’s sake production is all grown by several local farmers and polishing all the rice locally is unique to our brewing process. All the staff and farmers are dedicated to its quality and making it one of a kind.

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Water Quality

Water is critical for sake brewing since the taste varies depending on the minerals. While Noto is said to have suitable water for sake production, the predecessor of our brewery looked for the best ingredient to improve the quality of the product.

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SDG Initiatives

To maintain Noto’s beautiful landscape, renowned as a World Agricultural Heritage Site, we started to cultivate rice paddy fields with the local farmers.

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Pairing sake with meals

We believe that sake is something that enriches the culinary experience. Therefore, we pursue creating sake that pairs well with a meal. We’ve achieved a clear-tasting quality by using the softest water, hygiene management, and tracking of off-flavors elements to prevent negative factors.

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Craftsmanship That Continues to Challenge

While respecting tradition, we have established a new brewing system, “Responsibility for Our Brewing,” to create an environment where young staff can be flexible and creative to continue to take on new challenges.

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products

Chikuha Noto Junmai Sake

Chikuha Kimoto Junmai Okunoto

Chikuha Noto Beef Junmai Sake

Chikuha Squid Junmai Sake

Chikuha Plum Wine of Noto

Chikuha Kaga roasted tea liquor prepared with sake

Chikuha Binnaigo Hakko Junmaishu

Award

Chikuha Noto Junmai Sake
  • 1st prize for the best sake served in wine glasses 2023
Chikuha Kimoto Junmai Okunoto
  • 1st prize for the best sake served in wine glasses 2020
  • IWC (International Wine Challenge) Gold/ award of the region
Chikuha Noto Beef Junmai Sake
  • Gold in Kura Master category of Junmai Sake 2019
  • Gold in Kura Master category of Junmai Sake 2020
Chikuha Squid Junmai Sake
  • Gold in Kura Master category of Junmai Sake 2020
  • Gold for best sake served in wine glasses 2021
  • Gold for Kura Master Junmai Sake 2021
Chikuha Plum Wine of Noto
  • Gold for competitive fair for Plum wine JAPAN 2023
Chikuha Kaga roasted tea liquor prepared with sake
  • Certificated for premium brand in Ishikawa prefecture 2020
Chikuha Binnaigo Hakko Junmaishu
  • IWC (International Wine Challenge) category of sparkling sake / Trophy

History

  • 1869

    Founded in Edo era (1603-1867), the company's main business is the production of soy sauce, but it has also expanded into the sake industry.

  • 1951

    Obtained an incorporated Sake production license.

  • 2005

    Commenced overseas sake export business.

  • 2011

    5th generation sake brewer Kaiichiro Kazuma (24y.o) becomes CEO.

  • 2014

    Founded the Shiga Agricultural Cooperation: Yumeurara to cultivate abandoned land.

  • 2015

    The Toji system is replaced by Responsibility for Our Brewing system.
    (Head brew master Mr. Kurima).

  • 2018

    Abolished overnight stay and work of brewing employees.
    Began raw yeast stock preparation.

  • 2019

    Soy sauce warehouse relocated.
    Liqueur warehouse relocated.
    Responsibility for Our Brewing system allows employees 1 tank to brew their own sake.

  • 2020

    Start of “Enjoy cuisine with sake” project Commenced subscription service “Fun Fan Chikuha!”
    Achieved sake brewing using 100% Noto-grown rice.

  • 2023

    Company increases to 18 employees Inherited | The plum field management in Suzu City.

Company profile

Company name Kazuma Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Representative brand Chikuha
Address Housu-gun Noto-cho Ushitsu he-36
〒927-0433
Email chikuha@kazuma.co.jp
URL http://chikuha.co.jp
CEO Mr. Kaiichiro Kazuma (5th generation brewer)
Service Sake-, soy-, sauce-, liqueur production, retail and wholesale sales of alcohol, etc.