A FAMILY TRADITION...
95 YEARS OF ISLAND DISTILLING

Hand-crafting the liquor only made on Amami

Nowhere else in the world

こだわり

2021

In 1927, our first head distiller, Tomi Nishihira, began making our product. In 2021, our fourth-generation head distiller, Selena Nishihira, continues the tradition.

"Connecting the World to Kokuto Shochu and Amami"

Our mission is to reveal the unique quality and potential of kokuto shochu and Amami. We aim to do this by creating superb products and designs and improving communication to increase the recognition of these incredible assets before us.

Our Way

Blessed with the bounty of an island paradise, we craft our liquor with the mineral-rich waters of Amami, domestic short grain rice, koji, and additive-free kokuto sugar. We then adopt earthen pots for our first mash.

We are a small family-run distillery, and each and every bottle contains handcrafted shochu made with care and consideration.

From our very traditional drops, such as Kana and Sango, to our new and exhilarating ISLAND and Mashu, we do our utmost to extract the fine traits of the island, its history, our history, and the innate goodness of the ingredients that go into our lineup.

Enjoy an array of distinctive flavors in each and every bottle; enjoy a rare drop only made on the Amami Islands; enjoy what we call kokuto shochu—Amami island liquor.

THE ALURE OF

KOKUTO SHOCHU

1. Only made on the Amami Islands

Coinciding with the return of Japanese sovereignty on December 25, 1953, the Amami Archipelago was assigned regional exclusivity to produce kokuto shochu on the condition that it was made with rice koji and kokuto sugar.

2. Only 25 Distilleries Produce this Rare Drop

The Amami Archipelago is made up of 56 islands, 5 of which produce kokuto shochu. With only a handful of distilleries making the product worldwide, it is indeed a unique item. Each island delivers its own personal flavor and character; each distillery offers its own, too—what an excellent way to enjoy such a rare drop.

3. Zero Sugar

Although kokuto shochu is made from the sugarcane, it contains zero sugar due to the processes of fermentation and distilling. Though the calories are depleted, the unique flavor and aroma of kokuto sugar are delicately retained in the shochu via the skills of our craftsmen.

OUR MISSION

Kokuto Shochu: Amami's Gateway to the World

Kokuto shochu is profoundly emblematic of Amami's history and culture. As an island distillery, our mission is to become a force connecting kokuto shochu and Amami to the greater world. We hope to do this through delivering exceptional products, improved communication, and pioneering new, unforeseen endeavors.

Our Uniqueness

SHOCHU & MUSIC is our uniqueness; it is our strength. We harness these key traits to produce an exciting lineup of outstanding Amami liquor.

Boasting a long line of musicians involved at the distillery, our aging room doubles as a music hall, and we are working on a line of sonically-aged products matured in barrels to a variety of intoxicating music. This project is set to deliver a very unique and highly characteristic product to drinkers of excellent alcohol. A whole lot of goodness is being created at our little distillery. We hope you will join us on our journey