Hououbiden

Kobayashi Sake Brewery, a brewery in Oyama City, Tochigi, was founded in this land in 1872 (Meiji 5). The "former Mita village" where the brewery sits is a rural area moistened by the subsoil water of the Nikko mountains, a region with thriving rice-growing supported by abundant water and fertile land. Against the backdrop of this land's nature and climate and the lives of the people who dwell there, the brand "Hououbiden" has been nurtured.

Hououbiden is a sake that, while having a gorgeous style clad in a fresh, fruity ginjo aroma, values a flavor that doesn't grow tiresome and accompanies food. Centered on Tochigi sake rice, it carries out local contract cultivation in the lands where its sake-rice varieties were born, expressing each place's distinctive terroir. The calm environment moistened by the subsoil water of the Nikko mountains supports the softness and depth of the sake.

On its official site, the words "Not to control, but to understand and express what is here in this land" are championed. Believing that everything important to brewing has always been in this land, within the time woven by nature and people, it aims for sake in which the brewers' sensibility is reflected as color.

The "Hououbiden and Nikko" page introduces labels deeply connected with Nikko — "Nikko NIKKO," "Mikumari MIKUMARI" and "J-SAKE NIKKO -Mizunara-" — along with text reflecting on the rural landscape nurtured by the Nikko water system, the wind sweeping down from the Nikko mountains, and nature that shows its expression through the four seasons. Through the NIKKO BRANDING effort, Nikko's nature, history, culture and food are linked with Hououbiden and shared with the world.

A brewery with 150 years of history, blessed by the Nikko water system

Hououbiden's brewer, Kobayashi Sake Brewery, was founded in 1872 (Meiji 5) in Oyama City, Tochigi. The former Mita village where the brewery sits is a land blessed with fields as far as the eye can see and the subsoil water of the Nikko mountains. The abundant groundwater of the Nikko water system moistens the paddies, and the wind sweeping down from the mountain range raises the rice in good health — in the finest environment for brewing sake, it has continued brewing for over 150 years.

A gorgeous, fruity ginjo style with a firm core

Hououbiden's sake is characterized by a gorgeous, fine style with a fresh, fruity ginjo aroma. Beyond merely a gorgeous aroma, its rice-derived umami and acidity harmonize in good balance, giving it a flavor with a firm core. While valuing being enjoyed alongside food, it captivates many fans with an aroma that spreads from the moment it is poured into the glass and the length of its lingering finish.

Rice, water, people — brewing that reflects terroir and the maker's sensibility

Centered on Tochigi, it forms contract cultivation in each land where its sake-rice varieties were born, brewing that draws on each place's character. The character of the water, beginning with the subsoil water of the Nikko mountains; the power of the rice nurtured by the rural landscape; and the sensibility and humanity of each brewer. The elements of "rice," "water" and "people" layer together, giving each bottle of Hououbiden an expressive terroir.

Sharing Nikko's appeal with the world through the "Hououbiden and Nikko" series

On its brand site, it develops NIKKO BRANDING together with local partners including Nikko Toshogu, Nikko Futarasan Shrine and Nikkozan Rinno-ji Temple. Through products such as "Hououbiden Nikko NIKKO," "Mikumari MIKUMARI" and "J-SAKE NIKKO -Mizunara-," it works to convey the appeal of Nikko's nature, history, culture, people and food at home and abroad.