Choya Umeshu

What Choya Umeshu does

Choya Umeshu (CHOYA UMESHU CO., LTD.) is a Japanese manufacturer of umeshu (plum liqueur) founded in 1914 and headquartered in Habikino, Osaka. The company produces alcoholic and non-alcoholic ume-based beverages built around a core technology of traditional Japanese umeshu brewing and aging methodology, with proprietary differentiation anchored in the exclusive use of domestically-grown Japanese ume fruit and extended aging processes (e.g., The CHOYA AGED 3 YEARS, The CHOYA FRENCH OAK 2016).

Its product portfolio spans two main lines — the standard CHOYA umeshu line and the premium "The CHOYA" series (Extra Years, Extra Shiso, Royal Honey, AGED 3 YEARS variants, FRENCH OAK) — alongside a YUZU&OTHER flavored liqueur line, a NON-ALCOHOLIC beverage line, and a FOODSTUFF category of ume-based condiments. The company sells through a direct-to-consumer channel via its Japanese and US websites, an experiential flagship (The CHOYA Ginza BAR in Tokyo), and traditional Japanese retail and wholesale distribution, with website localization in Japanese, English, Chinese, and German indicating selective international expansion.

Revenue is generated through one-time retail and e-commerce transactions on bottled umeshu and adjacent alcoholic beverages; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing is content-led across owned social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LINE), TVCM video content, recipe libraries, and the Ginza BAR physical experience. The company presents itself as the Japanese market leader in the umeshu segment and markets primarily to premium alcoholic beverage consumers, with secondary reach into hospitality and food service.

Name

Choya Umeshu

Legal name

CHOYA UMESHU CO., LTD.

Website

https://choya.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Choya Umeshu is a Japanese manufacturer founded in 1914 that produces traditional umeshu (plum liqueur) from domestically-grown Japanese ume fruit, selling a standard line, premium aged series, flavored liqueurs, and non-alcoholic ume beverages through DTC e-commerce, retail, and an experiential Ginza flagship bar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Bottled umeshu and alcoholic beverage sales: Choya generates revenue through the sale of bottled alcoholic beverages including umeshu liqueur products. Products are sold in various sizes (700ml indicated) and premium tiers under The CHOYA series and standard CHOYA lines. Revenue is generated through one-time purchase transactions at retail and through direct e-commerce channels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CHOYA UMESHU CO., LTD. manufactures and sells umeshu (Japanese plum wine) made exclusively with domestically-grown ume fruit from Japan. The portfolio spans the standard CHOYA line, the premium The CHOYA series (including Extra Years, Extra Shiso, Royal Honey, AGED 3 YEARS, AGED 3 YEARS EXTRA FRUIT, and FRENCH OAK 2016), YUZU & other flavored fruit liqueurs, a non-alcoholic line, and ume-based foodstuff products.

Product overview

Choya Umeshu is a Japanese umeshu (plum wine) company offering a portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The portfolio consists of two main product lines: the standard CHOYA line (core umeshu products) and The CHOYA premium series (including Extra Years, Extra Shiso, Royal Honey, AGED 3 YEARS, AGED 3 YEARS EXTRA FRUIT, and FRENCH OAK 2016). Additionally, the company offers YUZU&OTHER flavored liqueurs, a NON-ALCOHOLIC line, and FOODSTUFF products. All CHOYA products are made with domestically-grown ume fruit from Japan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The CHOYA: High quality premium series featuring products such as The CHOYA Extra Years, The CHOYA Extra Shiso, The CHOYA Royal Honey, The CHOYA Aged 3 Years, The CHOYA French Oak, and related expressions.

Products and services

• The CHOYA Extra Years Premium umeshu (Japanese plum wine) made with domestically-grown ume fruit, part of The CHOYA premium series.
• The CHOYA Extra Shiso Premium umeshu infused with shiso leaves, part of The CHOYA premium series.
• The CHOYA Royal Honey Premium umeshu with honey, part of The CHOYA premium series.
• The CHOYA AGED 3 YEARS Premium umeshu aged for 3 years, part of The CHOYA premium series.
• The CHOYA AGED 3 YEARS EXTRA FRUIT Premium umeshu aged for 3 years with extra fruit content, part of The CHOYA premium series.
• The CHOYA FRENCH OAK 2016 Premium umeshu aged in French oak barrels, vintage 2016, part of The CHOYA premium series.
• CHOYA (Standard Line) Standard CHOYA umeshu made with domestically-grown ume fruit.
• YUZU & OTHER Yuzu and other flavored fruit liqueurs.
• NON-ALCOHOLIC Non-alcoholic umeshu and fruit beverages.
• FOODSTUFF Ume-based food products and condiments.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gekkeikan Sake: Long-established Japanese sake and alcoholic beverage producer with global distribution. Comparable as a heritage Japanese spirits brand pursuing premiumization and international expansion.
• Takara Shuzo: Major Japanese alcoholic beverage producer of sake, shochu, and umeshu. Directly competes with Choya in the umeshu category while also contesting on-trade and retail shelf space across Japanese spirits.
• Nakano BC: Japanese producer specializing in umeshu and ume-based beverages under brands including Umenoyado. Head-to-head competitor in the premium Japanese umeshu segment with comparable artisanal positioning.
• Hakutsuru Sake Brewery: Historic Japanese sake brewery with broad alcoholic beverage portfolio and international distribution. Comparable as a heritage Japanese alcohol brand pursuing premium-tier and overseas growth.

Emerging players

• Ito En: Japanese beverage company strongest in tea but expanding into adjacent categories. Partial overlap through the non-alcoholic umeshu line and Japanese-origin beverage positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Suntory: Largest Japanese spirits conglomerate (whisky, beer, RTD, liqueurs). Competes broadly across Japanese alcohol categories, including any umeshu-adjacent on-premise and retail programs.
• Asahi Group Holdings: Major Japanese beverage conglomerate (beer, RTD, spirits). Competes for shelf space and on-premise placement and has the scale to launch competing Japanese liqueur lines.
• Kirin Holdings: Large Japanese alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage group with spirits and RTD exposure. Competes in retail and on-premise channels with the resources to contest any premium Japanese liqueur segment.

Others

• Kikkoman: Iconic Japanese food and condiment company with a brewing heritage and growing global beverage presence. Adjacent as a Japanese-origin food/beverage brand pursuing premiumization and international expansion.
• Mercian Corporation (Kirin Group): Japanese wine and alcoholic beverage producer within Kirin Group. Adjacent competitor in premium imported/alcoholic beverage retail and on-premise distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/choyaofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnpqq6X-ZJ3rRDi-XyvMe6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/choya.jp
• Instagraminstagram.com/choya_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/choya-umeshu-usa-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Choya Umeshu