Philosophy
Things I cherish
Yoshinogawa's thoughts
Through making alcohol,
To continue fostering a richer daily life for all people.
To be close to people. To be close to today.
Yoshinogawa's soft and beautiful sake connects people and enriches everyday life.
We have continued brewing sake in Nagaoka, a town renowned for its sake, based on that belief.
Through sake brewing, we want to continue to contribute to enriching the daily lives of all people.
Times may change, but that feeling will never change.
From 1548, Tenbun 17
Setagaya, Nagaoka City. In this area blessed with high-quality water, which has a history as a shogunate territory during the Edo period, Yoshinogawa has carved out a history of sake brewing spanning over 470 years. After the war, they challenged themselves with technological innovation. Utilizing their ginjo brewing techniques, they introduced mechanization and large-scale brewing. They have always strived to brew sake that is close to the lives of their customers and loved by many. While cherishing and passing down what should not be changed, they face head-on what needs to be changed. This accumulation of efforts has created Yoshinogawa to this day.
Nagaoka, Niigata, the land of sake
Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture is traversed by the Shinano River, Japan's longest river. In winter, it is covered in deep snow, and in spring, the melting snow nourishes the land. This land, where a culture of fermentation has been nurtured by abundant rice and water, is known as one of the nation's leading rice and sake-producing regions. Its history as a castle town and the honest character of its people have quietly supported Nagaoka's craftsmanship. Yoshinogawa has been supported by the rich blessings of this land and continues to brew sake alongside the lives of the local people.
In the falling snow
In Nagaoka, winter brings heavy snowfall. The crisp air and harsh cold are essential blessings for sake brewing. This fostered the wisdom of cold brewing, where fermentation is slow at low temperatures, resulting in a clear and transparent taste. This philosophy continues to thrive in today's "four-season brewing" process. In spring, the melting snow nourishes the rice paddies, cultivating abundant rice. Eventually, this water becomes pure brewing water and flows into the brewery. The grand natural flow from snow to rice, and from water to sake, supports the soft and gentle quality of Yoshinogawa sake.
Settsuya, a town of brewing
Settsuya in Nagaoka City is the town where Yoshinogawa brews its sake. During the Edo period, it flourished as a shogunate territory, and breweries producing sake, miso, and soy sauce gathered in this area. The town, which escaped the ravages of war, retains its historic buildings and streetscapes, and the traditional brewing culture continues to thrive. In recent years, the number of restaurants and shops has increased, and it has become a popular brewing town with a new charm that can be enjoyed on foot. While preserving the history that has been passed down, Yoshinogawa continues to move forward into the future together with Settsuya.
世界に誇る花火に、
吉乃川の想いを込めて
Nagaoka Fireworks is one of Japan's leading fireworks displays, carrying on the traditions of commemoration and the hope for reconstruction. Since the end of the war, Yoshinogawa has been involved in launching the 3-shaku (approximately 100cm) diameter fireworks, continuing this history together with the local community. Entrusted to the night sky are our deep gratitude to everyone and our wish for peace. And our determination to continue brewing sake in Nagaoka. As a sake brewery that has been nurtured by the community, we will continue to quietly accompany the daily life of Nagaoka, pouring our hopes for the future of our hometown into each and every large firework.
