In 1855, Tousuke Minatoya founded the brewery at Echigo Yuzawa, Niigata-Prefecture. The brewery was started as Izakaya (Sake Pub) in the posting station with hot springs, where it was called Mikuni road, an important road connecting to Tokyo. Echigo Yuzawa is famous for heavy snowfall and hot springs. When the snow melts, it becomes a waterfalls, and high quality clean water gushes from the wells in the brewery facility throughout the year. Japanese sake consists of 80% water, and the spring water plays an essential role in brewing. Thanks to the brewing techniques of Echigo Toji (brew master in Echigo), Shirataki sake has complex aromas, and is delicate, smooth and soft on the palate. |