Okuhida Shuzo Co., Ltd.

Okuhida Shuzo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese sake brewery headquartered in Kanayama-cho, Gero, Gifu Prefecture. Founded in 1720 (Kyōhō 5) by Yoshidaya Takichi, it is one of the older sake houses in the Hida region and has been operated by the Takagi family for generations. The brewery sits at the confluence of the Hida and Mase rivers, using the clear subsoil water of the area and locally grown sake rice such as Hidahomare and Yamadanishiki. Its flagship sake brands are Okuhida and Hatsumidori, and it also produces shochu, vodka, and fruit liqueurs. The company was incorporated in 1952 as Takagi Shuzo Co., Ltd. and later renamed Okuhida Shuzo Co., Ltd. in 2014 to match its main brand. It holds licenses for vodka and other spirits, and has exported since the early 1980s, first to Singapore and Hong Kong, later to Thailand, China and Europe. Its Okuhida vodka was notably given as a gift by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2006 G8 summit, and served at a Japan-Russia summit dinner in 2016. The brewery has won numerous awards, including multiple Gold Prizes at the National New Sake Awards (Zenkoku Shinshu Kanpyōkai) and international competitions such as the International Wine Challenge and Kura Master. Its main storehouse, rebuilt in 1835, was designated in 2022 as the first Landscape Important Building of Gero City and functions as a sake museum registered under Gifu Prefecture's Machikado Museum program. The current president is Chihiro Takagi, the 11th generation head of the family business.

Okuhida Shuzo traces its origins to 1720 (Kyōhō 5), when Yoshidaya Takichi began brewing sake in Kanayama, an area that prospered as a post town on the Hida Kaidō. During the late Edo period, the brewery's sake was selected as a goyōtashi (official supplier) to the Owari Domain. The Owari lord named the sake Hatsumidori, meaning 'green surrounded by water and greenery,' and granted a woodblock for the brand name. The town of Kanayama was located at the border of four domains and was known as the gateway to Hida. The current main storehouse was rebuilt in 1835 (Tenpō 6). In the Meiji era, the 9th generation head was in poor health, so the 10th generation took over young. In 1952 (Shōwa 27), the family incorporated the business as Takagi Shuzo Co., Ltd., with Takagi Takichi (Kōhei) as president. In 1959, the company obtained a license to produce spirits and began making vodka. During the 1960s and 1970s, it modernized bottling operations and acquired a wholesale license for all alcoholic beverages. In 1981, it began exporting to Singapore, followed by Hong Kong in 1989, Thailand in 2006, and later China and Europe. In 1984, the Takagi Sake Museum was completed. In 1987, Takagi Tomizō became chairman and Takagi Chihiro became president (11th generation). Under the 11th generation, the company introduced large refrigeration tanks to ensure stable high quality and revived the original brand Hatsumidori as a year-round nama genshu. In 2014, the company changed its name to Okuhida Shuzo Co., Ltd. to align with its flagship brand. In 2022, the main storehouse was designated as the first Landscape Important Building of Gero City. The brewery continues to produce sake, shochu, vodka, and liqueurs, and has won numerous awards including Gold Prizes at the National New Sake Awards and international competitions.

• 2022

  Main storehouse designated as Gero City's first Landscape Important Building.

• 2016

  Okuhida Vodka served at Japan-Russia summit dinner.

• 2014

  Company renamed Okuhida Shuzo Co., Ltd.

• 2006

  Began exporting to Thailand; Okuhida Vodka gifted to President Putin at G8 summit.

• 1989

  Began exporting to Hong Kong.

• 1984

  Takagi Sake Museum completed.

• 1981

  Began exporting to Singapore.

• 1971

  Obtained wholesale license for all alcoholic beverages.

• 1961

  Established forestry department.

• 1959

  Obtained vodka production license.

• 1952

  Incorporated as Takagi Shuzo Co., Ltd.

• 1835

  Current main storehouse rebuilt.

• 1720

  Founded by Yoshidaya Takichi in Kanayama, Hida.

Traditional craft sake brewery emphasizing local water and rice, with a history of over 300 years and a portfolio extending into spirits and liqueurs.

• Okuhida Junmai Daiginjo

  Junmai daiginjo made from Yamadanishiki rice polished to 35%, 16% ABV, in a wooden box.

• Tokusen Junmai Daiginjo Okuhida

  Junmai daiginjo with 35% polished Yamadanishiki, won Gold at IWC 2022 and Platinum at Kura Master 2020.

• Okuhida Daiginjo

  Daiginjo with 35% polished Yamadanishiki, 16% ABV.

• Tokusen Daiginjo Okuhida

  Daiginjo with 35% polished Yamadanishiki, won Gold at IWC 2021.

• Okuhida Yuki Junmai Ginjo

  Dry junmai ginjo with 60% polished rice, 14% ABV, popular locally.

• Hatsumidori Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama Genshu

  Unfiltered unpasteurized genshu from the Hatsumidori brand.

• Okuhida Vodka 55%

  Vodka at 55% ABV, available in 720ml and 300ml.

• Okuhida Yuzu Liqueur

  Liqueur made with sake and Gifu-grown yuzu.

• Okuhida Ume Liqueur

  Plum liqueur made with sake and local plums.

1. 1奥飛騨酒造株式会社 公式サイトokuhida-sake.jp
2. 2奥飛騨酒造についてokuhida-sake.jp
3. 3商品一覧okuhida-sake.jp
4. 4奥飛騨okuhida-sake.jp
5. 5Okuhida Syuzou - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6奥飛騨酒造 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org