Our journey with this brewery began when our team members in Japan attended an event hosted by the Gifu Prefecture Sake Brewers Association, featuring about 30 local producers. While navigating the vibrant gathering, we were immediately struck by the clarity and depth of the Tsushimaya line. We had the opportunity to speak directly with President Hiroe Watanabe and learned that while their flagship brand was already available in the U.S., these more exclusive “Tsushimaya” labels remained largely undiscovered abroad. This inspiring encounter left a lasting impression, as we realized we had found a hidden gem of Gifu that we hoped to one day share with our community of sake enthusiasts in the U.S.

Hiroe Watanabe is a hands-on brewer who lives and breathes the craft, often staying in the brewery day and night during the winter months. He remains committed to traditional, labor-intensive methods, such as using a “koshiki” (a traditional large steamer) to steam the rice and producing 100% of their koji rice by hand. He follows the Tajima-style of brewing, a method that emphasizes a slow, 47-hour koji-making process to ensure the rice is perfectly transformed for fermentation. This dedication is evident in their production scale; they have focused on smaller batches of approximately 400 to 500 “koku” (roughly 19,000 to 24,000 gallons) to ensure that every drop meets their exacting standards for an easy-drinking yet memorable flavor.

We selected Miyozakura Brewing Company because they represent a perfect balance of historic reverence and youthful energy. Their refusal to cut corners — investing incredible time and labor into every step of the brewing process — mirrors our own dedication to quality. The result is a collection of sake defined by a delicate, fruity and elegant character that is both sophisticated and approachable. When you open a bottle, you aren’t just tasting fermented rice; you are experiencing the heritage of a Nakasendo post town and the heart of a brewer who is thoughtfully redefining Gifu’s sake for the modern world.