Kumamoto Prefecture

Kameman Shuzo brewery is a relatively recent venture as it was established only in 1916 by Chinju TAKEDA, a young doctor, heir to a long dynasty of doctors in Kumamoto region. The creation of the brewery was decided following a rather funny combination of circumstances. Indeed, in this rural area, it was common for local farmers to pay in bags of rice, including their medical consultations. Each year, Dr Takeda saw the bags accumulate over the months without being able to consume everything. This is why he decided to create the brewery, to transform rice received for good care into sake! 



One difficulty, however, was added to the project: the Prefecture of Kumamoto is located in the extreme southwest of Japan. A temperate and sunny area, that is to say a climate not very adapted for sake production which was traditionally done in the northern part of the country. The work on yeasts was essential and the scientific knowledge of Dr Takeda was decisive in the development of ferments capable of working under these latitudes. The gamble paid off, and Kameman Shuzo can now claim to be the southernmost sake brewery in Japan. It continues to work on the same basis as those developed by Dr Takeda in 1916, using only local rice and without refrigeration of vats. 

Kameman Shuzo sakes
Below, all the Kameman Shuzo references available on our online store.