Iwakikotobuki Junmaiginjo Tairyouiwai Konpeki
A sake of quality that leaves a lasting, moving impression.
Suzuki Shuzoten was born around 1840, in the waning days of the Edo period. While operating as a shipping agent, its founder was granted permission by the Soma Domain to brew nigorizake (unrefined sake), marking the beginning of its brewing history. The brewery stood in a rare location, directly facing the sea at Ukedo Port in Namie Town. From that time forth, its flagship brand, "Iwakikotobuki," was cherished by countless fishermen as the "celebration sake" for a bountiful catch.
However, the Great East Japan Earthquake swept everything away—the buildings, the brewery, all of it. Compounded by the nuclear accident, the brewers were forced to evacuate to Yonezawa City in Yamagata Prefecture. Groping in the darkness, a thread of fate connected them to a brewery in Nagai City, Yamagata. They took it over, and against all odds, resumed operations as Suzuki Shuzoten Nagaigura before the end of 2011.
Then, in 2021, a decade after the disaster, they achieved their return, restarting operations in their hometown at a new facility within Roadside Station Namie. Today, they brew sake in parallel, operating in both Namie Town and Nagai City.
The reborn "Iwakikotobuki" begins with raw ingredients—primarily Koshihikari rice grown in Namie Town, polished on-site. Brewing is conducted year-round in small, meticulously manageable batches. This brewing process is always visible from the "Namie no Waza/Nariwai Kan" at Roadside Station Namie. We invite you to come to Namie Town, to witness the ever-changing streetscapes and to taste the spirit of Iwakikotobuki.
Suzuki Shuzoten Nagaigura
Today, we're introducing the sake brewing of Suzuki Shuzoten Nagaigura, which has made its long-awaited return to its hometown of Namie Town after the disaster!
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The tsunami from the Great East Japan Earthquake washed away all of the brewery's buildings. Evacuation orders due to the nuclear accident made it impossible to brew sake in Namie Town.
They acquired a brewery in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, that was on the verge of closing. They made an incredible comeback, shipping their first sake that December, just 9 months after the disaster!
And then, in 2021, they began brewing sake again right next to "Roadside Station Namie" in Namie Town. Their dream of "brewing in Ukedo again someday" was finally realized, bringing sake brewing back to their hometown after 10 long years! 🍶
🏘Suzuki Shuzoten Nagaigura
📍40 Chimeiji, Kisehashi, Namie Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture
Their flagship brand, "Iwakikotobuki," has such an auspicious name that it has long been treasured as a sake for purifying boats before departure and celebrating a great catch!
They continue to brew with a deep love for their hometown, such as taking on the challenge of using Namie-grown Koshihikari table rice to help local farmers affected by reputational damage.
Great rice, great water, great people. That's Fukushima sake! 🍶
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