Ginza Onodera Fully Launches 'Complete Original Sake Brewing Project' in Collaboration with Kumamoto Prefecture

Ginza Onodera Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Yoshitaka Kimura, Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) announces the official launch of the 'Complete Original Sake Brewing Project' in partnership with Kumamoto Prefecture, a collaboration in preparation since a courtesy visit to the Kumamoto Governor in June 2025. The first step, planting the rice ingredients, will take place on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

The 'Ginza Onodera' brand operates under the concept of 'From Ginza to the World,' aiming to share traditional Japanese cuisine—such as sushi, tempura, teppanyaki, makiyaki, and noodles—globally. The network currently spans 26 locations across three countries. Several of its locations have earned one star in the Michelin Guide, receiving worldwide acclaim. In the traditional New Year's tuna auction at Tokyo's Toyosu Market held every January 5, the parent company ONODERA GROUP has successfully bid on the 'number one tuna' a total of six times (2018, 2021-2025), serving it at its domestic and international locations.

[Background of the Project: Sharing Kumamoto's Pride with the World. A Collaboration with Three Breweries for 'One-of-a-Kind Sake' and Regional Revitalization]

The origin of this project traces back to the 13-year history of serving 'Taito' sake from Chiyonosono Sake Brewery (Yamaga City, Kumamoto) since Ginza Onodera's founding in 2013. Out of 26 locations in three countries, 16 serve 'Taito,' with cumulative sales reaching approximately 9,000 bottles. Since 2022, over 1,500 bottles have been enjoyed annually by customers. In addition to this solid track record, the strong relationships built with each brewery, championed by the liquor store Tachibana, have been the driving force behind this unprecedented project to completely co-create original sake, sweet potato shochu, and rice shochu starting from the raw materials.

In this project, one-of-a-kind 'completely original' brands will be created across three of Kumamoto's representative sake cultures: sake brewed with the 'Kumamoto yeast' that supports premium ginjo sake across Japan, sweet potato shochu, and rice shochu. By engaging in sake brewing alongside the breweries right from the cultivation of raw ingredients, the project aims to broadcast Kumamoto's appeal to the world, communicate its true value, and contribute to the further development of culinary culture and 'regional revitalization.'

[Thoughts on Kumamoto and Ginza Onodera's Resolve]

Through this project, 'Ginza Onodera' will act as a bridge to broadcast Kumamoto's rich natural environment and traditional techniques to the world. Building on its network of 26 locations in 3 countries, the company will dedicate itself further to contributing to the advancement of food culture and sustainable regional growth. With deep gratitude to all who support the company, they look forward to the completion of these new 'completely original beverages' created with three leading Kumamoto breweries.

As a commemorative first step, the planting of sake rice for the 'completely original sake,' created in collaboration with Chiyonosono Sake Brewery—the makers of 'Taito,' which was the 'starting sake' for the company—will be held as follows.

[Rice Planting Event Overview]

Date:
Sunday, May 24, 2026, scheduled for 8:00–9:00

Location:
Sake rice cultivation field inside Uchida Farm Agricultural Production Corporation

Address:
20 Uchinomaki, Aso City, Kumamoto 869-2301

Details:
Planting of sake rice (Yamada Nishiki grown in Kumamoto exclusively for Ginza Onodera), which will be the ingredient for the one-of-a-kind 'completely original sake' co-created with Chiyonosono Sake Brewery.

Expected Participants:
- Kumamoto Governor: Takashi Kimura
- Chiyonosono Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.: President Yuri Honda / Advisor Masaharu Honda
- Tachibana Co., Ltd. (Jizake-dokoro Tachibana): Chairman Koji Tajiri / President Tomoya Tajiri
- Ginza Onodera Co., Ltd.: President & CEO Yoshitaka Kimura
- Ginza Onodera Co., Ltd.: Executive Head Chef Akifumi Sakagami
- Ginza Onodera Co., Ltd.: General Manager & Executive Sommelier Tetsuzo Ohashi

[Main Schedule]
- Early May 2026: Cultivation of sweet potato shochu ingredients (Tama-akane potatoes) begins on abandoned farmland
- May 24, 2026 (Sun): Cultivation of sake ingredients (Yamada Nishiki rice) begins (this rice planting event)
- June 2026: Cultivation of rice shochu ingredients (Tachi Haruka rice) begins (rice planting)
- Around Autumn 2026: Harvesting of rice and potatoes, and start of brewing at each brewery
- Around Spring 2027: Completion of completely original sake, expected to go on sale and be served at restaurants
- Around Spring 2027: Completion of completely original shochu, expected to go on sale and be served at restaurants

[About the Three Breweries Supporting the Project]
This project will collaborate with three representative Kumamoto breweries across different genres to brew one-of-a-kind 'completely original beverages.'

■ Chiyonosono Sake Brewery (Yamaga City, Kumamoto): Sake
The brewery of 'Taito' sake, which the company has served since its founding, serves as the origin of this project. Starting with this rice planting, a 'completely original sake' using exclusively Kumamoto-grown rice, yeast, and water will be newly created.

■ Amakusa Distillery (Amakusa City, Kumamoto): Sweet Potato Shochu
The only shochu distillery on Amakusa Island, which has established a high reputation for its representative brand 'Ike no Tsuyu.' Rooted in the region, they will create the ultimate 'completely original sweet potato shochu' expressing the terroir of Amakusa through a deep commitment to potato cultivation.

■ Matsushita Shochu Brewery (Mizukami Village, Kuma District, Kumamoto): Rice Shochu
Founded in 1804 (first year of the Bunka era), it is the oldest distillery for Kuma Shochu, boasting the representative brand 'Saikogura.' Using traditional methods passed down for over 200 years and the clear waters of the Kuma River's source, they will pursue and create a 'completely original rice shochu' with a profound flavor.

[About Tachibana Co., Ltd. (Jizake-dokoro Tachibana)]
A liquor sales company that strictly selects Kumamoto's finest brews and broadcasts them widely alongside the passion of the brewers. Leveraging a strong network with various breweries built over many years, this project positions them as a powerful partner connecting Ginza Onodera with the three representative Kumamoto breweries to drive and promote the creation of completely original beverages.