— Exploring the Future of Sake Brewing and the Potential of Koji Mold Alongside 16 Breweries from Across Japan —
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture; President: Kengo Suzuki) participated in the “Traditional Sake Brewing Symposium @ UTokyo” held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Ito International Research Center on the University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus.
The event was co-hosted by the UTokyo Kuramoto-kai—a group of 17 sake breweries led by University of Tokyo alumni and affiliates—and the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo. A total of 16 sake breweries from across the country took part in the symposium.
The first session, themed “Sake Brewing and Koji Mold,” featured keynote lectures and a panel discussion. The keynote speakers included Mr. Kenjiro Monji (Sake Samurai and former UNESCO ambassador), Professor Emeritus Katsuhiko Kitamoto (Chairman of the Brewing Society of Japan, Japan Pharmaceutical University), and Professor Junichi Maruyama (University of Tokyo Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences). They offered insights into the potential of koji mold, their backgrounds in sake brewing, and their visions for the future, sparking active discussions among the participants.
In the second session, a “Tasting Event Featuring 16 Breweries” was held. Attendees had the rare opportunity to sample sake from each participating brewery while engaging directly with the brewers, learning more about their craft, philosophies, and the stories behind each bottle.
Tsunan Sake Brewery presented its distinctive lineup brewed with the blessings of nature from the snowy region of Tsunan, Niigata. Visitors were introduced to Tsunan’s brewing philosophy, which harmonizes scientific rigor with on-site intuition—utilizing meltwater from mountainous snowfields, local rice, carefully selected yeast strains, and advanced fermentation management.
This symposium served as a bridge between tradition and scientific advancement, offering a meaningful platform to explore and promote the value and future potential of Japanese sake. For Tsunan Sake Brewery, it was also a valuable opportunity to deepen ties with the academic and sake communities and to further its educational and research collaborations.
Event Overview
Traditional Sake Brewing Symposium @ UTokyo
— Sake Brewing and Koji Mold as Discussed by the UTokyo Kuramoto-kai and Agrobiochemists —
Part 1: Symposium (14:00–15:30)
Moderator: Hiroshi Miyazaki (Deputy Director, Development Office)
Opening Remarks: Jun Kawano (President, UTokyo Kuramoto-kai / CEO, Sohomare Sake Brewery)
Keynote Presentations:
- Kenjiro Monji (Sake Samurai, Former UNESCO Ambassador)
– The Significance of Registering Traditional Sake Brewing as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage - Katsuhiko Kitamoto (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo / Chair, Brewing Society of Japan)
– Sake Brewing from the Perspective of Koji Mold - Junichi Maruyama (Professor, University of Tokyo)
– Tradition and Innovation in Koji Mold Research at UTokyo
Panel Discussion:
The Joy of Sake Brewing and Its Future
Facilitator: Kazunari Higashihara (Dean, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo)
- Tomo Kudo (Washinono Co., Ltd.)
- Yusuke Sato (Aramasa Brewery Co., Ltd.)
- Miyuki Saito (Kinsuisho Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
- Hideharu Ota (Daishichi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Part 2: Tasting Event Featuring 16 Breweries (15:45–17:15)
Location: Ito International Research Center, Multi-purpose Space (Hongo Campus, University of Tokyo)
Participation Fee: ¥3,500
Note: Part 2 was limited to registered TFT members (with up to one guest allowed per member). All participants received an original limited-edition sake cup from the UTokyo Kuramoto-kai.
Participating Breweries for Tasting:
Washinono / Aramasa / Fermenteria / Kinsuisho / Daishichi / Kaetsu Sake Brewery / Aoi Sake Brewery / Tsunan Sake Brewery / Sohomare / Nishibori Sake Brewery / Takeju Honke / Linne / Choryo / Takada Distillery / Umeda Sake Brewery / Kitaya
About Tsunan Sake Brewery
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is based in Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture—one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall regions. The brewery uses pristine natural spring water from surrounding 2,000-meter-class mountains as its brewing water. With a commitment to coexist with nature while embracing innovation, Tsunan produces sake using locally grown rice varieties such as Gohyakumangoku and premium Uonuma Koshihikari. Under the brand concept “Brew for Future – Brewing a Coexistent Future,” Tsunan aims to express both terroir and science through sake. In 2025, Tsunan Sake Brewery was awarded the Niigata Governor’s Award (First Place) in the Echigo-style Brewing Technology Championship.
https://tsunan-sake.com/
