Collection: Nakagawa Brewery

Making use of the rice and good water that was once part of the shogunate's territory

Nakagawa Brewery is located in Wakino-cho, Nagaoka City, an area formerly known as "Mishima-gun Mishima-machi." During the Edo period, it was known as a shogunate-controlled territory and was an agricultural area that cultivated high-quality rice for tribute. This region was prosperous not only in agriculture and forestry, but also in the cutlery industry and sake brewing, all of which required abundant and high-quality water.

We brew fine sake using highly polished rice, primarily Niigata-grown rice cultivated by our former master brewer. The brewing water at Nakagawa Brewery is also drawn from 10 meters underground, from the groundwater of the Nishiyama Hills behind the brewery. It is soft water that is ideal for sake brewing, containing components that help the activity of microorganisms such as potassium and magnesium, while being low in iron and manganese, which are substances that cause off-flavors. The water stored in the enamel tanks is a clear blue, and its mystical color resonates with the pure taste of our brand, "Koshino Aoi."

In the fiercely competitive Nagaoka region—sake brewing beloved by the local community.

Nagaoka City boasts the largest number of sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture. Among them, Wakino-cho, where Nakagawa Sake Brewery is located, is a town with a population of only 7,000, yet it still has three sake breweries. Considering that there used to be five sake breweries including the surrounding area, it is clear how deeply rooted sake brewing is in this region.

Nakagawa Brewery was founded in 1898. They acquired brewing rights from another brewery that had been destroyed in a great fire, and began brewing sake. Since then, they have continued to preserve the tradition of sake brewing, expanding their buildings throughout the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. 80% of their shipments are for within the prefecture. Their motto is "Sake brewing loved by the local community." Under the management policy, They have always prioritized "taste" over work efficiency in their sake brewing, and this spirit of "not sparing any effort" is still carried on today. Compared to other sake breweries, they have many young brewers, and the young brewers work together in unity, with the master brewer at the center of production.

"Koshino Hakugan," a sake beloved by locals.

The brewery's flagship brand, "Koshino Hakugan," is located at the foot of the Nishiyama mountain range, in an environment blessed with nature and good water. It was named after the white geese that used to fly to the rice paddies near the brewery. Brewed with soft well water and high-quality rice, this sake has long been a beloved local product.

"Koshino Hakugan" offers a variety of sakes, including a Daiginjo with an elegant and delicate aroma, a Junmai Ginjo with a gorgeous aroma and a light taste, a Junmai Koshihikari with a smooth yet rich flavor, "Koshino Hakugan Kuromatsu" with a clear taste that you won't tire of, and a Honjozo with a soft and clean finish. All of these are made with rice that has been polished to a luxurious degree, with a polishing ratio of 60% or more for all of them. We value the deliciousness of sake that you can enjoy every day.

"Kuromatsu" wins the highest gold prize at the warm sake contest.

The All Japan Warm Sake Contest is the world's only contest to select sake that tastes delicious when warmed, and it is judged by experts with rigorous standards. Nakagawa Shuzo's Koshino Hakugan Kuromatsu won the "Grand Gold Award" for three consecutive years in the Affordable Warm Sake category in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and won the "Grand Gold Award" in the Affordable Hot Sake category in 2024.

This is a classic sake that emphasizes both origin and production methods, using "Gohyakumangoku," a sake-brewing rice variety, for the koji rice and 100% Niigata-grown rice for the main mash, and brewed slowly at low temperatures. It is a slightly dry sake with a clean finish and a hint of umami, and can be enjoyed both warm and chilled.