【Brewery Visit Report】A Trip to Tanabe Shuzo in Fukui 🍶
— Why We Chose to Carry Their Sake, and What Makes It So Special —
Hello, this is Nishino from Shukojin.
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Tanabe Shuzo, a sake brewery in Fukui Prefecture that we’ve been proudly working with for some time.
Tanabe’s sake has been familiar to me even before I opened my store, and it’s one of the breweries I personally love. Today, I’d like to share what makes their sake so special and what I felt during this recent visit.
1.Why We Started Carrying Tanabe Shuzo’s Sake
Before launching Shukojin, I had several chances to enjoy sake from Fukui. While many of the region’s brews tend to be light and refreshing, Tanabe Shuzo's sake stood out with its depth and complexity. It truly comes alive when warmed, showing more character and richness.
When I first tasted it, I could almost imagine the face of the person who crafted it.
There’s a saying, “Sake reflects the maker,” and I feel Tanabe’s sake embodies that perfectly.
Also, a highly respected sake retailer in Tokyo—who has sadly passed away—used to carry Tanabe’s sake, which gave me another strong reason to introduce it in my own store.
2. What I Admire About Tanabe Shuzo
What I admire most is their decision not to modernize.
In an age where efficiency often drives production, Tanabe Shuzo remains committed to traditional, hands-on brewing. That dedication shows in every sip.
Their sake feels warm and human, filled with character and subtle nuances that mass-produced sake can’t match.
3. The Style of Their Sake
Rather than chasing trends, Tanabe Shuzo focuses on sake that complements meals.
It’s clean and balanced—never overpowering—and pairs beautifully with not just Japanese cuisine, but also simple home-style dishes.
It’s the kind of sake you can enjoy from the beginning to the end of a meal without fatigue—a true companion at the dining table.
4. Recommended Sake: “Yushou” Revival Label
This time, we were granted the rare opportunity to carry a very limited release:
“Yushou” (Victory) Revival Label.
Only a handful of sake stores are allowed to stock it. The retro label design has been beautifully recreated, giving it a nostalgic yet dignified feel.
You can enjoy it both chilled and warmed—it’s a sake we highly recommend for both newcomers and seasoned drinkers.
Click here for the Yushou” (Victory) Revival Label
5. Final Thoughts — On the Tanabe Brothers and Our Future Together
No matter how many times I meet them, I’m always struck by the kindness and sincerity of the Tanabe brothers.
They’re gentle in demeanor but utterly passionate about sake-making. It’s that authenticity that allows me to confidently recommend their sake to our customers.
While the market trend leans toward sparkling or sweet sake, Tanabe Shuzo stays true to their philosophy of making sake that complements food.
That philosophy deeply aligns with our own belief: to make people happy through sake.
I truly believe we’ll have a long-lasting and meaningful partnership with them.
We look forward to continuing to share the delicious, food-friendly sake of Tanabe Shuzo with all of you.
If you haven’t tried it yet, I encourage you to give it a taste 😊
— Nishino, Owner of Shukojin