Ichinokura

What Ichinokura does

Ichinokura (一ノ蔵) is a traditional Japanese sake brewery established in January 1973 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, operating two production facilities: the Honsha (本社蔵) brewery in Matsuyama, Osaki City, formed through the merger of four regional breweries, and the Kinryu (金龍蔵) brewery in Kurihara City, opened in 1991. The company employs approximately 120 full-time staff and produces a wide portfolio spanning premium junmai daiginjo (Shoko, Shozanten), junmai ginjo, tokubetsu junmai (Karakuchi, Chokarakuchi), honzo (Mukansa), and specialty lines including the pioneering sparkling sake Suzune (bottle secondary fermentation, 1998), the low-alcohol Himezen (8% ABV), the Madeira-method hot spring-aged Madena, and innovative formats such as Sake Plus and Himezen Soda RTD cans.

The company's core technology is hand-crafted seishu (清酒) brewing using locally grown Miyagi rice varieties (Sasanishiki, Gin no Iroha, Toyonishiki) and GIAHS-certified Osaki farmland. Distinctive proprietary methods include bottle secondary fermentation for sparkling sake, white koji fermentation, the Yamahai method using natural lactic acid, four-stage Yodan mashing, and Naruko Onsen hot spring thermal aging combined with Madeira-style alcohol fortification. Ichinokura is the only national brewery licensed to use Tokyo NODAI's PM-1 rose yeast for its Princess Michiko junmai ginjo. Distribution is multi-channel: a direct-to-consumer online store (ec.ichinokura.co.jp), brewery-direct sales, the nationwide 日本名門酒会 specialty retailer network (member since 1976), department stores, supermarkets, restaurants/izakaya, and tasting events held in six cities, supplemented by a LINE official account and social media community. Pricing spans ¥451 (180ml Himezen) to ¥13,200 (1.8L premium Shoko). Notable B2B placements include ANA International First and Economy Class (2017) and the Japanese Academy Awards ceremony toast sake, and the 3.11未来へつなぐバトン charity bottle program has generated ¥91,864,778 in cumulative donations to the Hatachi Fund over 14 years.

Name

Ichinokura

Legal name

株式会社一ノ蔵

Website

https://ichinokura.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Traditional Japanese sake brewery founded in 1973 in Miyagi Prefecture, operating two breweries producing premium junmai daiginjo, the pioneering sparkling sake Suzune, low-alcohol Himezen, and Madeira-method hot spring-aged Madena, serving consumers, retailers, and restaurants through direct, specialty, and gift channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Japanese Sake (Seishu)

NAICS

Distilleries (312140)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Sake, Soju & Other Asian Alcoholic Beverages Producers & Brands (CRADAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sake & Traditional Rice Wine Production (AFAFAAAG)

Keywords

• Japanese sake brewing
• Traditional rice wine
• Junmai daiginjo
• Sparkling sake
• Low-alcohol sake

Headquarters

HQ city

Matsuyama, Osaki City

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 清酒製造販売 (Sake Manufacturing and Sales): Core revenue from manufacturing and selling traditional Japanese sake products ranging from standard to premium grades. Products include Junmai Daiginjo, Daiginjo, Junmai Ginjo, Tokubetsu Junmai, Honzon, and specialty sparkling/low-alcohol sakes. Distribution through own stores, online shop, 日本名門酒会 network, department stores, and specialty retailers.
2. 社会貢献商品 (Social Contribution Products): 3.11未来へつなぐバトン special sake product where full sales proceeds are donated to the ハタチ基金 (Hatasi Fund) supporting children affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Cumulative donations of ¥91,864,778 over 14 years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ichinokura is a traditional Japanese sake (seishu) brewery that manufactures and sells a full range of hand-crafted sake products at its two Miyagi Prefecture breweries (Honsha and Kinryu). Core offerings span Junmai Daiginjo, Daiginjo, Junmai Ginjo, Tokubetsu Junmai, Honzo, and specialty categories including sparkling sake (Suzune), low-alcohol sake (Himezen, 8% ABV), aged sake (Madena), and innovative products (Sake Plus). Products are sold through an owned online store, Japan Meimon Sake-kai retailers, department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, brewery-direct sales, and customer events.

Product overview

Ichinokura is a traditional Japanese sake (rice wine) brewery based in Osaki, Miyagi Prefecture, founded in 1973. The company produces a diverse portfolio of sake products centered around two flagship sub-brands: すず音 (Suzune), a pioneering sparkling sake using bottle secondary fermentation, and ひめぜん (Himezen), a low-alcohol sake (8%). The core product line includes premium junmai daiginjo offerings such as 笙鼓 (Shoko) and 松山天 (Shozanten), specialty junmai sakes in various styles (超辛口, 四段仕込, 山廃仕込), and innovative products like Madena (applying Madeira wine methods) and 酒＋ (designed for mixing). Seasonal limited editions include colored sparkling sakes (花めくすず音, 幸せの黄色いすず音) and flavored liqueurs (ひめぜん柚子, ひめぜん梅). The company operates two breweries: the main Honsha brewery and the historic Kinryu brewery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Suzune (すず音) Sparkling Sake Pioneering Japanese sparkling sake (5% ABV) produced through bottle secondary fermentation, creating natural carbonation with gentle bubbles. Sold in 300ml format for everyday consumers and celebratory occasions; requires refrigeration.
• Himezen (ひめぜん) Low-Alcohol Sake Low-alcohol sake (8% ABV) made only from rice, characterized by sweet-sour taste, suitable for chilled or warm serving. Available in 1.8L, 720ml, 300ml, and 180ml can formats for consumers seeking lighter sake options.
• Junmai Daiginjo Shoko (純米大吟醸 笙鼓) Premium Junmai Daiginjo made from Yamadanishiki rice polished to 35%, featuring fruity sweetness and elegant aroma. Available in 1.8L boxed (¥13,200) and 720ml boxed (¥6,600) gift formats targeting the premium gifting segment.
• Junmai Daiginjo Shozanten (純米大吟醸 松山天) Long-selling Junmai Daiginjo using Miyagi-grown Gin no Iroha rice, featuring rounded, delicate sweetness with fruit-like acidity. Available in 720ml boxed (¥5,500) and 720ml no-box (¥4,950) formats.
• Ichinokura Daiginjo (一ノ蔵 大吟醸) Daiginjo made from Miyagi Prefecture's Gin no Iroha rice with fruity aroma and refreshing taste suitable for special occasions. Available in 1.8L (¥6,600 boxed / ¥6,050 unboxed) and 720ml (¥3,300 boxed) formats.
• Sasanishiki Junmai Daiginjo (ササニシキ純米大吟醸) Junmai Daiginjo made from Sasanishiki rice grown in Osaki City, featuring gentle sweetness and floral aroma. Miyagi Prefecture limited edition targeting regional premium consumers.
• Tokubetsu Junmai Karakuchi (特別純米酒 辛口) Standard Junmai sake positioned as the 'absolute junmai sake' for daily drinking. Features balanced taste, smooth drinking, and compatibility with various dishes. Available in 1.8L (¥2,948), 720ml (¥1,397), 300ml (¥660), and 180ml (¥451) formats.
• Tokubetsu Junmai Chokarakuchi (特別純米酒 超辛口) Extra dry Junmai sake with high sake meter value (+8 to +10), featuring sharp clarity and excellent pairing with various dishes. Available in 1.8L (¥2,948) and 720ml (¥1,397) formats.
• Madena (マデナ) Innovative aged sake (18% ABV) applying Madeira wine production methods with alcohol fortification and thermal aging using natural hot spring heat from Naruko Onsen in Osaki City. Available in 720ml (¥6,600) and 180ml (¥1,980) formats. Award-winning at Milano Sake Challenge 2025 and Kura Master.
• Suzune Wabi (すず音Wabi) Clear sparkling sake with delicate bubbles featuring light muscat-like sweetness and fruity aroma. Developed for overseas export markets.
• Suzune GALA (すず音GALA) Premium dry sparkling sake aged over 6 months after secondary fermentation, featuring elegant taste and champagne-like dryness. Awarded Gold at Kura Master 2019 Sparkling Soft category.
• Hana-meku Suzune (花めくすず音) Pink sparkling sake colored with natural pigment from black rice and black beans, featuring berry-like sweetness and light bubbles. Limited seasonal spring product.
• Shiawase no Kiiroi Suzune (幸せの黄色いすず音) Summer-limited sparkling sake (4.5–5.4% ABV) colored with safflower extract, featuring mimosa yellow color and ¥990 price point for 300ml format.
• Junmai Ginjo Princess Michiko (純米吟醸 プリンセス・ミチコ) Junmai Ginjo brewed with rose yeast (Tokyo Nodai Bara Yeast PM-1) separated from Princess Michiko roses, featuring elegant rose aroma and transparent taste. Launched 2019.
• Sake Plus (酒＋) Sweet concentrated sake (17% ABV) priced at ¥1,980 for 720ml, designed for mixing with other beverages or ingredients to expand the ways sake can be consumed.
• Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai (山廃仕込特別純米酒) Traditional Yamahai method Junmai sake using natural lactic acid from wild bacteria, featuring deep complex taste and rich umami.
• Yodan Shiroi Tokubetsu Junmai (四段仕込特別純米酒) Four-stage mashing Junmai sake with extra rice, featuring deep rich sweetness and full-bodied flavor.
• Himezen Yuzu (ひめぜん柚子) Low-alcohol sake liqueur made with Himezen base and Miyagi Marumori yuzu citrus, featuring fresh citrus aroma and smooth taste.
• Himezen Ume (ひめぜん梅) Japanese liqueur blending Himezen with plum wine made from locally grown white kagashi plums, featuring rich plum aroma. Awarded Platinum at London Sake Challenge 2018.
• Himezen Soda (ひめぜんソーダ) Carbonated ready-to-drink version of Himezen in aluminum can format (240ml), featuring 5% ABV for convenient light refreshment.
• Mukansa Honzo Shikomi Karakuchi (無鑑査本醸造 辛口) Long-selling Honzo sake certified without inspection (無鑑査), featuring balanced sweet-spicy taste and exceptional value. Available in 1.8L (¥2,288), 720ml (¥1,089), and 300ml (¥517) formats. A separate Natsuyatate (summer-brewed) version is exclusively supplied to restaurant partners.
• Sparkling Junmai Sake (スパークリング純米酒) Sparkling Junmai sake using bottle secondary fermentation with white koji (白麹仕込), featuring 14% ABV and rich sake flavor with citric acid-driven refreshing acidity.
• Junmai Sake Toyonishiki (純米酒 トヨニシキ) Junmai sake made with Toyonishiki rice, part of the Ichikara employee-driven product development program. Brewed at both Honsha and Kinryu breweries.
• 3.11 Mirai e Tsunagu Baton (3.11未来へつなぐバトン) Special charity sake product priced at ¥3,300 for 1.8L and ¥1,650 for 720ml, with full sales proceeds donated to the Hatachi Fund supporting children affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Cumulative donations of ¥91,864,778 over 14 years.

Quantifiable outcome

• ¥91,864,778 donated to disaster relief over 14 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NARO生研支援センターminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022生研支援センター『「知」の集積と活用の場®による研究開発モデル事業』（農林水産省予算）の支援を受けて「酒＋（サケプラス）」を開発。
• 東京農業大学minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017東京農業大学微生物工学研究室が分離したバラの花酵母「東京農業大学バラ酵母PM-1」を使用。一ノ蔵は国内12蔵の中で唯一この酵母を使った商品を開発。2019年からプリンセス・ミチコシリーズを展開。
• 大崎耕土（GIAHS）coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017一ノ蔵の原料米供应元である大崎耕土はFAO世界農業遺産に認定。冬期湛水農法など環境保全型農業取り組みの連携。
• 鳴子温泉郷minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Madena製品の加温熟成に鳴子温泉郷の温泉熱を活用。自然に優しい熟成方法で、環境負荷低減にも貢献。
• ハタチ基金coreOthers · 1 December 2011一ノ蔵が販売した「3.11未来へつなぐバトン」の売上全額をハタチ基金に寄付。14年間累計91,864,778円を被子地震被災地の子どもたちに届ける活動。
• 日本名門酒会coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 1991一ノ蔵は昭和51年（1976年）から日本名門酒会に参加。全国の名門酒会加盟店を通じて商品を販売。限定品的販売や特別な流通渠道を提供。

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Otomezakura (Tsutsumi Shuzo): Yamagata-based premium sake producer with strong junmai daiginjo portfolio. Comparable to Ichinokura in regional terroir emphasis, premium category focus, and national distribution through Japan Meimon Sake-kai network.
• Tentaka Kotsunuki (Tentaka Shuzo): Premium sake brewery from Tochigi Prefecture known for environmentally-focused operations and premium product lines. Comparable to Ichinokura as a regional brewery with sustainability positioning, premium junmai portfolio, and award-winning craftsmanship.
• Urakasumi (Saura Co.): Miyagi-based sake brewery in the same prefecture as Ichinokura, known for junmai daiginjo and Miyagi rice varietals. Closest regional peer competing for the same local terroir story and gift purchases within Miyagi.

Direct peers

• Asahi Shuzo (Dassai): Producer of Dassai, Japan's most internationally recognized premium junmai daiginjo brand. Direct peer to Ichinokura in the premium sake category with overlapping gifting and export positioning; both compete for the high-end consumer seeking Yamadanishiki-based daiginjo.
• Nakano Sake (Nakano BC): Major sake wholesaler with significant private-label and original product portfolio. Comparable to Ichinokura in product breadth, multi-brewery sourcing strategy, and presence across gifting and food-service channels.
• Kubota (Asahi Shuzo / Kubota Senkichi): Flagship premium sake brand from Niigata with strong junmai daiginjo credentials and a loyal enthusiast following. Directly comparable to Ichinokura in premium positioning, gifting category, and award-collecting track record.
• Hakkaisan Sake Brewery: Premium sake brewery from Niigata Prefecture known for clean, junmai-focused portfolio and strong gift-channel presence. Direct peer offering comparable premium product depth and national distribution through specialty liquor networks.
• Juyondai (Yamagata Honten): Cult premium sake brand commanding extreme price premiums and allocation-driven demand. Comparable to Ichinokura's premium tier products in competitive positioning for high-end gift occasions and collector interest.

Emerging players

• Sparkling Sake Pioneers (Hana Kizuna etc.): Emerging sparkling sake producers that followed Ichinokura's Suzune lead. Comparable to Ichinokura's sparkling sake category competition and overlapping positioning in low-alcohol, approachable sake formats.

Broad incumbents

• Gekkeikan Sake: One of Japan's largest sake producers with broad product portfolio spanning premium to mass market. Broad incumbent peer for Ichinokura in overall sake market dynamics, distribution patterns, and export-led growth, though at very different scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ichinokura_sake
• Facebookfacebook.com/Ichinokura.Sake
• Instagraminstagram.com/ichinokura_sake/?hl=ja

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Ichinokura