Lounge
May 27, 2015
Serial: Wa-jo Wa-raku | Part 41: Sake Brewing Begins with Rice Cultivation at Izumibashi Shuzo
A rare brewery in Japan, handling everything from rice cultivation to brewing.
Brewing Begins with Rice Cultivation: Izumibashi Sake Brewery
Izumibashi Sake Brewery was founded in 1857 in Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It began as a sake brewery near the Oyamakaido road, which was frequented by people on pilgrimages to Mt. Oyama during the Edo period (now National Route 246). Ebina City in Kanagawa Prefecture has recently become popular as a commuter town, but it is a beautiful city where urban and rural spaces blend harmoniously.
Text and Photos by Wajo Waraku
Our Approach to Sake Brewing
Guided by the philosophy that "sake brewing begins with rice cultivation," our company is now a rare sake brewery in Japan that handles everything from cultivating its own sake rice and contract-grown sake rice from local farmers, to rice milling and brewing. Our sake brewing process involves carefully crafting rice that has been nurtured by the blessings of the sun and earth. We aim to create sake that allows people to enjoy pleasant intoxication, sharing stories and raising glasses with friends around a table with "Izumibashi."
Sagami Sake Rice Research Group
At Izumibashi, we have organized the "Sagami Sake Rice Research Group" with the support of local sake rice producers, JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives), and the Agricultural Technology Center. This group focuses on research and study related to sake rice cultivation. The sake rice cultivation areas include Ebina City, Sagamihara City, and Zama City on the eastern side of the Sagami River, as well as Yamato City and Kawasaki City in the vicinity. This cultivation research group is an indispensable and cherished part of Izumibashi.
Scenes from the Sagami Sake Rice Research Group
Scenes from the Sagami Sake Rice Research Group
The Bounty of Ebina Farmland
The rice paddies spread across Ebina City, where Izumibashi is located, have long been known as "Ebina Kouchi." This area, situated on the alluvial plain formed by the rich flow of the Sagami River, has historically been the foremost grain-producing region in the prefecture. While its exact origins are unclear, it is said to have been developed through great effort by ancient people before the Taika Reform (645 AD). We aspire to continue expressing the natural blessings of Ebina Kouchi through our delicious sake.
Symbol Mark
The red dragonfly, commonly seen in the Kanto region, is born and raised in rice paddies. As pesticide use in rice cultivation decreases, their numbers increase. Izumibashi has adopted the red dragonfly as its symbol mark, envisioning a town where swarms of red dragonflies dance in the autumn sky.
100% Junmai Sake Brewery
Most of our products are brewed using sake rice such as "Yamada Nishiki," "Omachi," "Kamenoo," and "Shinnriki," which are contract-grown in an environment where we know the farmers. Furthermore, all our products are Junmai sake (including Junmai Ginjo and Junmai Daiginjo), made without any additives such as brewing alcohol.
Izumibashi Sake Brewery
5-5-1 Shimouma, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tel. 046-231-1338 Fax. 046-233-1452
http://www.izumibashi.com