Houken Shuzo

Hoken Shuzo, founded in 1871, is a brewery located in Nigata, Kure, Hiroshima. Using the naturally filtered spring water known as “Hoken Meisui,” which flows through Mt. Noro, the brewery pursues dry, food-friendly sake that combines generous umami with a sharp finish—an uncommon style in Hiroshima, a region traditionally associated with soft and mellow sake. Its flagship brand “Hoken” takes its name from Nigata’s history as a town of file-making and swordsmithing. Centering production on locally grown Hattannishiki rice, toji Tetsuya Doi brews in small quantities with uncompromising attention to detail, guided by the motto “100% sake, pure grit,” and continues to pour his spirit into every drop.