Hateruma Shuzojo
Shochu
About the Brewery
About an hour southwest by boat from Ishigaki Island, as you gaze at the dazzling blue sea, Hateruma Island—the southernmost inhabited island of Japan—comes into view. Operating in a village about five minutes by car from Hateruma Port, Hateruma Distillery has been producing only one label, Awanami, since its founding in 1953.
During the shochu boom some ten-plus years ago, Awanami was called a ‘phantom spirit’ and was traded at astonishing prices. But there were reasons why it became ‘phantom.’
During the shochu boom some ten-plus years ago, Awanami was called a ‘phantom spirit’ and was traded at astonishing prices. But there were reasons why it became ‘phantom.’