Kizakura is one of the famous sake companies in Fushimi(伏見),Kyoto. Fushimi district is traditional sake brewing district along Horikawa River in southern Kyoto. Since Azuchi-Momoyama (安土桃山)period, sake has been produced in this area. One important thing to produce sake is– abundant supply of clean water. Thanks to the clean, soft water that flows in abundance from the river’s underground springs, the district is home to nearly 40 sake breweries.  Kizakura has start its business about 60 years ago. It is much younger than other breweries in Fushimi. Normally, it becomes weak point if you have short history in sake business, but they turns this disadvantage to advantage by challenging other business like running a restaurant.

Any difference between other sake factories?

Compared with Gekkeikan (月桂冠), which is a sake giant company in Fushimi is very interesting! Both factories are open to public and located in Fushimi, but they are totally different. Gekkeikan is an old and giant company, while Kizakura is a young company. In sake industry, it was considered having “history” is brand. How can Kizakura compete with other breweries without any brand? For example, Kizakura produced sake for women who had not targeted from other companies. Now they starts producing craft-beer. Gekkeikan is also an interesting company.  They considered Quality is the top of priority ( see their policy below). In order to pursue its quality, they has researched for a long time and developed sake production system with whole year. At that time, sake is depend on climate and difficult to produce for whole year. Gekkeikan is the first company to produce sake for whole year. If you understand their business & policy, then it will be more interesting!

kizakura factory page