Senkin Sake Brewery was established in the peaceful rural landscape of Sakura city, Tochigi Prefecture in 1806. Since 2003, the 11th generation of the Usui family has been at the helm, creating a purposeful future for Senkin and it’s people. Brewery president Kazuki Usui and his brother Master Brewer Masako Usui are focusing on crafting sake which is in balance with nature, honouring tradition, heritage, and their community.
In November 2024 the brewery underwent a major rebranding of its sake lines to embrace ‘a return to Edo’ or (in Japanese) ‘Edo-gaeri’ methodology. Referencing the Edo period which extended from 1603 – 1868, the concept is to pursue more traditional methods of sustainable sake production using local, organically grown rice, brewing without additives, and using natural yeast sources. The brewery has substantially increased its use of wooden tanks and brewing tools eschewing metal and plastic where possible. They want to nurture the community and land supporting the brewery, sustaining local agriculture and forestry industries in contrast to the expanding mechanisation and globalisation of modern times.
The Senkin range uses rice harvested within their own Domaine, composed of fields close to the brewery. The land is farmed with organic principles, free from pesticides and fed by water veins extending from the Kinugawa River that is also utilised as the operational brewing water source.
Edo-gaeri
I believe in tomorrow arising from Edo
Opening to a new era.
“Even in the deepest river of the mountains the only sound that can be heard is the voices of heaven”.
