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It is said that the production of rice shochu in the Hitoyoshi Kuma region began about 500 years ago. In 1995, Kuma Shochu received a geographical indication of origin designation from the National Tax Agency, and started to attract attention as one of the few shochu brands bearing the name of a region. Hitoyoshi Kuma is home to 27 distilleries, each with their own unique brand, producing a fascinating diversity of flavors.

Established in 1935, Fukuda Shuzo is a distillery with an unusual background—it started out as a forestry business. Although it has a relatively short history compared with other distilleries, Fukuda Shuzo has raised the profile of the Kuma Shochu brand through initiatives to introduce new equipment, store shochu in sherry barrels, and so on.

In 2002, while expanding a barrel storage cellar that had been in use for 40 years, Fukuda Shuzo installed new oak barrels. The distillery also offers aged shochu, including its flagship brand Sanga, undiluted shochu that is aged for 20 years; Tarumikoshi, which is aged for at least 5 years; and Fukuda 12 Years, which is made into a liqueur with the addition of fiber.

According to fifth-generation distiller Toshikazu Fukuda, “my predecessors have taught me to value quality over efficiency; together with my workers, I aim to produce high-quality shochu with a rich and clear taste.” The cellar, which has been carefully perfected since its founding, provides the ideal environment for koji mold, leading to the production of top-quality shochu.

Restaurant information

Fukuda Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Address: 137-2 Nishiaida Shimomachi, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture
TEL.: 0966-22-2507
Business hours: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed Saturdays and Sundays)
Official website: https://fukudashuzo.com