小柳酒造

The Story of 小柳酒造

Koyanagi Shuzo was founded during Japan's Bunka era, around 1804, and draws its brewing water from the Gion River, fed by springs from the mineral-rich Tenzan mountains — water considered ideal for sake. Its merchant-style main house and whitewashed storehouses, 13 structures in all, were registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties in 2002 and named a Saga Prefecture Heritage site in 2006. The flagship label, Takasago, is joined by the premium Takasago Kinsho, whose name was given by the calligrapher Gochiku Nakabayashi. The brewery has since converted part of its kura into the Ogi Distillery, making craft gin alongside a restaurant and direct-sales shop.