Shibata

Shibata Shuzo was established in 1830 in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, and is currently led by the Shibata family’s 8th generation President. The village is called, “Kanzui” or “God’s water.” The water itself is outstandingly soft (water hardness of 0.2), and is one of the softest waters in all of Japan. Shibata uses this Kanzui water for every step in the sake production process, including for Shikomi Mizu, or preparation water. Led by Shizuka Ito, one of very few female Toji (brewery master) in Japan, Shibata sits at an elevation of 350 meters above sea level, and thereby benefits from cool summers and extremely cold winters.