Tenzan Shuzo is located within the Saga Prefecture of Kyushu Island. Kyushu is a large island just south of the main island of Honshu. Tenzan Shuzo was founded by the Shichida family originally as a water mill in 1861. The mill used beautiful, pristine mountain water from Mt. Tenzan to mill flour, produce noodles, and polish rice for neighboring sake breweries. In fact, the somen noodles they produced were nationally recognized. In 1875, the Shichida family purchased a neighboring sake brewery that was going out of business, and began producing sake themselves. The water mill stayed functional until 1960, when the family decided to convert it into part of the brewery, thus putting the entire family focus on brewing.
Tenzan Shuzo puts a focus on using locally grown rice, including native varieties such as Nihonbare and Reihou. They also use lots of locally grown Yamadanishiki rice. So committed to local rice, in 2005, Tenzan Suzo formed the Tenzan Sake Rice Research Association, a collaboration between brewers and growers to share knowledge and produce the best possible product for their community. Tenzan Shuzo even owns and operates some rice fields themselves, which is quite rare in the sake world.
Website I Shichida Sake Man Tasting Video
Sell Sheet
Shichida Junmai
Shichida Junmai Ginjo