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GENERATION
Toyokuni Brewery
Kensei Yanai
Taking the Next Step in Pursuit of True "Local Sake"
Kensei Yanai(9th Generation Owner-Brewer)
Born in 1988. After graduating from Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics, he joined the brewery in 2009. As the owner, he directs the business, and as the Toji, he also serves as the head of production.
Pouring a Young Passion into Sake Brewing
"What is 'local sake'?"... Kensei Yanai, the head of Toyokuni Brewery in Furudono Town, Ishikawa-gun, Fukushima, faces the craft of brewing each day while continuing to ask this question.
Although born into the family of a brewery owner, he thought, "If I'm going to take over eventually, I'll do what I want until then," and went to university in Tokyo, intending to find a job there as well. Around that time, I happened to come across a book profiling sake brewers, titled 'Sake of Love and Passion' by Atsuko Sando. Until then, he had a strong image of sake as something "old men" drink, but he was impressed by the stance of a brewery owner who poured their youthful passion into brewing.
People and Brewery, Moving Forward One Step at a Time
The path Toyokuni Brewery aims for is the traditional way of sake brewing. This is embodied by "Azumatoyokuni," which they have been brewing since their founding. It is a sake that accompanies the joys and sorrows of the local people, a brand he recognizes he must protect as the brewery's owner.
On the other hand, the first sake Kensei created was "Ibuki," released in January 2011. This one, in a complete change of pace, was an immediate hit for its modern flavor, created as an "antithesis to traditional Japanese sake." Just as this sake was being released to the world, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. However, he was encouraged by the name "Ibuki" (which means "one step at a time, for oneself") and received supportive messages from many fans. He renewed his determination to move forward, one step at a time, and do what he could in the present.
An interior view of the brewery. The sake of Toyokuni Brewery is brewed with the slightly hard underflow water from the Abukuma mountain range. To prevent the yeast from over-fermenting, it is characteristically fermented at ultra-low temperatures.
From left: 'Azumatoyokuni Futsushu,' a long-beloved local sake characterized by its soft flavor with umami and sweetness; 'Ibuki Junmai,' created by 9th generation owner Kensei Yanai with a concept of 'tradition + formality + modern'; and 'Cho Junmai,' a rich and savory sake where one can fully enjoy the original flavor of the rice.
CHANGE_What was your biggest turning point?
In January 2011, when I launched the "Ibuki" brand that I brewed myself. That was truly the first step, and my own journey in sake brewing began from there.
PERSON_Who influenced you?
The previous Toji, Mr. Hiroaki Yanada. He taught me that "what a Toji should aim for is not to win awards, but to figure out how to persevere through the brewing process. It's crucial to maintain a high level of motivation at all times, through both good times and bad."
FUTURE_What is your vision for the future?
My ideal is to be able to speak happily about myself, the brewery, and our community, both 10 and 20 years from now. The role of a brewery in a community is not just to make sake, but also to create a place where people can gather and have fun. I want to share that feeling of excitement, that "Something fun always seems to be happening at Toyokuni," with everyone.
- Name
- Toyokuni Brewery
- Established
- 1830-1844
- Address
- 114 Takenuki, Aza Takenuki, Furudono-machi, Ishikawa-gun, Fukushima
- TEL
- 0247-53-2001
- Business Hours
- 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)
- Other
- Shop on-site. Tours and tastings not available.