the story
The Vision of Tomorrow
Kawara Shuzo has taken over a historic brewery founded in 1665 (Kanbun 5), with a renewed mission to create "moments of happiness" through the art of sake. While honoring its centuries-old heritage, we sought the ultimate brewing environment to redefine the value of Japanese sake, leading to the construction of our state-of-the-art brewery in Matsukawa Village, Azumino.
In Matsukawa—a land blessed with a rich natural ecosystem and an ideal climate—we harness the highest quality rice and water to brew new narratives and exceptional sake, sharing the profound beauty of Japanese culture with the world.
THE SAKE
The Last Bastion of Azumino’s Primordial Landscape
Nestled within the embrace of the 3,000-meter peaks of the Northern Alps lies Matsukawa Village. Often referred to as "the last village protecting the original landscape of Azumino," it is a land of majestic and breathtaking beauty. The region is defined by significant diurnal and seasonal temperature fluctuations, characterized by the biting clarity of its severe winters.
The western reaches of the Northern Alps consist of a rugged chain of 2,800-meter summits. This imposing terrain is built upon a geological foundation of Paleozoic sedimentary rock formed approximately 300 million years ago, providing a prehistoric filter for the region’s pristine waters.
the SAKE
The Fertile Heart of Alpine Agriculture
The central lowlands of Matsukawa Village form a complex terrain of overlapping alluvial fans created by the Ashima River and its tributaries, serving as a historic hub for concentrated agriculture. The region’s irrigation draws from both groundwater and the pristine currents of the Takase and Ashima Rivers flowing directly from the Northern Alps.
This naturally chilled alpine water plays a crucial role in mitigating "heat stress"—a growing challenge in modern sake rice cultivation. By leveraging this cooling effect, Matsukawa Village consistently maintains an exceptionally high quality of rice, boasting one of the highest "First-class Rice" (Ittōmai) ratios in the nation. This excellence is widely recognized by prestigious breweries across Nagano Prefecture, many of which maintain direct cultivation contracts with Matsukawa's farmers.
From ILAKA
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