01.The Abundant Nature of the Hitoyoshi Kuma Region

Flanked by the steep, rugged peaks of the Kyushu Mountain Range lies a wide, open basin. This is Hitoyoshi Kuma, the home of Hakutake. Pristine subterranean waters bubble up from the base of the mountains, forming streams that merge to become one of the fastest-flowing rivers in Japan, the Kuma River.

For 700 years, from the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) to the Meiji Restoration (1868), this area was known as a secret village, concealed by the surrounding mountains and ruled by the Sagara Clan as a vital refuge of rice production.

It was from these bounties of rice and crystal clear waters that Kuma Shochu was first made. Its popularity grew among the local people and eventually became referred to as “the mythical Sake” by travelers passing through the region. Seeing this, the Sagara Clan encouraged the production and promotion of Rice Shochu as the ‘national drink’.

Today, the Kuma Shochu brand is officially defined as a product unique to the region of its creation, with 27 distillers pursuing their vision of the perfect Shochu.

Full-flavored rice from the fertile earth. Cool, clear water bestowed by the mountains. The love and appreciation of the people for Rice Shochu. These are the harmony of conditions uniting in this secluded realm to bring forth unmatched flavor.

02.Kuma Shochu, A Name Bound to its Birthplace

In 1995 Kuma Shochu was granted the distinguishing title of “Japan Geographic Indication” by the National Tax Agency, officially tying the name of Kuma Shochu to its place of origin. In other words, the term “Kuma Shochu" may only refer to a product made within Hitoyoshi Kuma, using groundwater from that region and Japanese-produced ingredients (rice, rice koji) in its creation.

Kuma Shochu is one of only four brands of Honkaku Shochu to receive this honor, the others being the potato-based Satsuma Shochu (from Kagoshima Prefecture), the barley-based Iki Shochu (from Nagasaki Prefecture), and Ryukyu Awamori (from Okinawa Prefecture) made from long-grain rice.

No matter how much equipment changes over the years, one constant is relying upon the combination of good rice and pure water to deliver the best taste possible. We invite you to enjoy a glass of this Honkaku Rice Shochu that we have poured our passion and nature’s best ingredients into and discover an umami rice-flavor experience unlike any other.