FUJII SHUZŌ — WHERE NATURE BREWS TRADITION

1. A Legacy from the Historic Town of Takehara, Hiroshima

Founded in 1863 in the picturesque town of Takehara, often called “the Little Kyoto of Hiroshima”, Fujii Shuzō (藤井酒造) stands among the oldest and most respected sake breweries in the Seto Inland Sea region.

From the Meiji era to the present day, Fujii has remained faithful to its guiding philosophy:

“Don’t rush the sake — let nature speak.”

Blessed with soft water flowing through Hiroshima’s granite mountains and the calm coastal air of Takehara, Fujii’s sake is known for its quiet depth, purity, and serene balance — a reflection of its land and time.

2. Reviving the Kimoto Method — When Fermentation Breathes Naturally

While most modern breweries use cultured yeast and artificial lactic acid to control fermentation, Fujii Shuzō has chosen a slower, purer path — reviving the ancient “Kimoto” method (生酛).

In Kimoto brewing, no lactic acid is added. Instead, natural lactic bacteria and wild yeast are allowed to develop gradually inside the brewery.

Every wall, beam, and clay floor of the kura is alive with native microorganisms (蔵付き微生物 – kuratsuki) that shape the taste of each sake.

This living ecosystem turns fermentation into a dialogue between man and nature — resulting in sake that is alive, complex, and impossible to replicate anywhere else.

3. “All-Kimoto” — A Philosophy of Wholeness

In 2023, Fujii Shuzō reached a defining milestone: every drop of its sake is now brewed by the Kimoto method.

“All-Kimoto” is not merely a brewing technique — it is a philosophy of coexistence, trusting the rhythm of nature to determine the final expression of flavor.

Signature labels include:

• Ryusei Kuro (龍勢 黒ラベル) – Junmai Daiginjo brewed with 100% Yamadanishiki; rich umami, elegant texture, perfect with sukiyaki or grilled eel.
• The Night Emperor Daybreak (夜の帝王 Daybreak) – Bright, citrus-accented sake that shifts beautifully between chilled and warm temperatures.
• The Night Emperor (夜の帝王) – Junmai made from Hattan Nishiki rice; gentle and mellow, evolving gracefully with warmth.

Each bottle embodies the harmony of water, earth, time, and living microbes — the essence that Fujii Shuzō has preserved for over 160 years.

4. Returning to Stillness

At Fujii Shuzō, the goal is not control — but harmony.

“We do not add — we arrange.”

This “stillness” reflects balance: between human craftsmanship and natural spontaneity, between precision and patience, between heritage and innovation.

Fujii’s sake does not shout; it whispers with depth, calmness, and vitality — a true expression of the land that birthed it.

 

5. In Collaboration with agataJapan in Vietnam

In October 2025, Fujii Shuzō officially partners with agataJapan to bring Hiroshima’s craft sake to Vietnam.

The Fujii Week showcase at agataJapan Takashimaya (October 26 – November 1, 2025) will introduce Vietnamese guests to the brewery’s signature labels — Ryusei Kuro, The Night Emperor, and Daybreak — in a serene, authentic Japanese setting.

A special highlight will take place on November 1 (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM), when Mr. Fujii, representative of Fujii Shuzō, visits agataJapan to share his story — a journey of reviving Kimoto brewing, preserving Takehara’s natural ecosystem, and believing that:

“When nature leads the way, sake becomes what it was always meant to be — alive, pure, and true.”

Raise your glass with agataJapan and discover the living soul of Hiroshima through Fujii Shuzō’s sake — where nature, time, and craftsmanship flow in harmony.