Company Profile
Greetings
Wakashio Distillery was established in 1968 as the cooperative partnerhsip of 5 local distilleries, and we began our 55th year in August 2022. Although the COVID situation continues, I hope to make this year one in which we will continue to accelerate the momentum of what we have challenged ourselves with so far.
With our company theme of “diversity,” we strive to make the most of our unique personalities and strengthen our framework for producing high-quality and appealing spirits. We also hope to develop new shochu and shochu-based spirits as part of our concept of “world-class spirits” that we can enter into international spirits competitions to help promote shochu to overseas markets. We also want to contribute to our region’s revitalization by working with local producers to incorporate sustainable development goals into our product development.
We will continue to do our best to make spirits that everyone considers delicious and interesting, and we thank you for your continued support.
August 1, 2022
Wakashio Distillery
President,
Masahiko Kamimura
Company Overview
| Name | Wakashio Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Wakashio Distillery) |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 Anraku Shibushi, Shubushi-City, Kagoshima, Japan 〒899-7104（Map ） |
| President | Masahiko Kamimura |
| Established | August 1968 |
| Business activities | Manufacture and sales of single-distilled shochu, spirits, liqueurs |
| Capital | 48,000,000 yen |
| Employees | 35 |
| Land area | 23,420㎡ |
Timeline
| 1968 | Wakashio Shuzo Kyogyo Kumiai was established as a cooperative partnership by Uchida Shuzo, Sageto Shuzo, Tojo Shuzo, Inatsuke Jyozo, and Kamimura Jyozo. Began production of Satsuma Wakashio at the current Shisangura distillery. The name “Wakashio” was chosen from public submissions. |
|---|---|
| 1979 | Awarded the top prize from the Kagoshima Prefecture Honkaku Shochu Competition for the first time. |
| 1989 | Released Sengamejo, a revival of traditional wooden pot still and kame pot production methods. |
| 2003 | Sengoku-gura distillery, where we craft hand-made shochu, was completed. |
| 2005 | Sengoku-gura Storage Tunnel for maturing long-aged shochu was completed. The distillery shop was built. |
| 2008 | Wakashio Shuzo Kyogyo Kumiai was incorporated as Wakashio Shuzo Co., Ltd. |
| 2009 | Awarded the top prize from both the Kagoshima Prefecture Honkaku Shochu Competition and the South Kyushu Sake and Shochu Awards (Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau). |
| 2017 | Satsuma Wakashio rebranded as Satsuma Shiro Wakashio in commemoration of the company’s 50th anniversary. Created the GLOW brand, through which we challenge the possibilities of shochu. |
| 2019 | Spirits production license approved, released our wooden pot still Japanese spirit 424GIN. |
| 2020 | Began production of high-proof alcohol in response to the shortage of disinfectant alcohol due to the COVID-19 epidemic. |
| 2021 | Sengamejo Murasaki awarded gold medal at IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competiton). Released f spirits, a new line of aromatic spirits to help reduce regional food loss and incorporate SDGs. |
| 2022 | GLOW EP05 awarded grand prize of the imo shochu division, 1st “Sakaya ga erabu Shochu Taisho” Awards (chosen by liquor stores across Japan). |
Company History
In August 1968, Wakashio Shuzo Kyogyo Kumiai was established as a cooperative partnership by 5 local distilleries in Shibushi City and Osaki Town. We aimed to produce superior shochu by bringing together each distillery’s techniques and by ensuring consistency in everything from production to sales. The five brands that had been made by each distillery were unified and rebranded as Satsuma Wakashio, chosen from submissions by the public. The company was incorporated as Wakashio Shuzo Co., Ltd., in 2008, but it is still operated by the teamwork of the succeeding generations of the original distillery owners along with locals.
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Inatsuki Jyozo
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Uchida Shuzo
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Kamimura Jyozo
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Sageto Shuzo
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Tojyo Shuzo
From Shibushi to the world
Shibushi City is located along the eastern border of Kagoshima Prefecture and developed as a port town with thriving trade since long ago. Since our company’s founding, we have been producing the “everyday drink” of the local community, and we aim to continue to refine the techniques and culture of shochu in order to share it from Shibushi to the world.
