KOSHI NO KANBAI

Located in the Kameda district of Niigata, Ishimoto Shuzo Brewery was founded in 1907. Blessed with an exceptional natural environment—cold winter climate and pure waters from the Agano and Shinano rivers—it has always produced sake that is “light and refined, yet full of depth.” The name Koshino Kanbai (“Snow Plum of Echigo”) comes from the plum trees of the region, famed for their elegant blossoms in the heart of winter. The founder, Ryuzo Ishimoto, carefully selected the rice varieties and their origins. His successor, Shogo Ishimoto, adopted the local soft water, polished the rice with precision, and favored slow fermentation at low temperatures, thus creating a sake that is pure and smooth, with no harsh edges. Today, the fourth generation continues this legacy, constantly improving quality while passing on the culture of sake through the generations. A new infrastructure project is currently underway, aiming to strengthen ties with the region and share the richness of Niigata both within Japan and internationally.