The Marumoto Brewery is known as nousan sakagura, the “Farmers’ Brewery,” because the people who grow the rice also make the sake.

Points of Distinction

  • The Marumoto Brewery was originally called Shimizu-ya, literally meaning “spring water store” because it was built in the site of a great water source.
  • The Marumoto Brewery is known as nousan sakagura, the “Farmers’ Brewery,” because the people who grow the rice also make the sake

Marumoto Brewery

The Marumoto Brewery was founded in 1867 at the base of the Chikurin-ji Mountains, in Okayama-ken, one of Japan’s most prized agricultural regions. The Brewery was originally called Shimizu-ya, literally meaning “spring water store” because it was built in the site of a great water source.

Now a national cultural landmark, the brewery is managed by the sixth generation son, Niichiro Marumoto. After making the Kamomidori brand for many years, the brewery introduced Chikurin in 1990 as their new, limited release brand. Because of how carefully they make this sake, in Japan, the brewery sells it directly to a small network of qualified retailers they choose themselves.

Nousan Sakagura

The Marumoto Brewery is known as nousan sakagura, the “Farmers’ Brewery,” because the people who grow the rice also make the sake. Their passion, care and knowledge go into every step of every bottle. Reflecting the people and place behind this sake, Chikurin also has a distinctive “farm style”—natural, relaxed and fresh.

Jika Saibai

Large scale breweries buy their rice from large farmers or rice brokers. Small, regional brewers work closely with local farmers, who raise rice for them under contract. But the Marumoto Brewery makes Chikurin from 100% home grown rice, grown on their own land. The rice they grow is 100% yamada nishiki, the most celebrated sake rice. The owner, Marumoto-san, was also the first Japanese brewer/farmer to get USDA Organic certification for the Yamada Nishiki sake rice he grows to produce Chikurin Organic Junmai Ginjo.

Chikurin
Watch Videos
Marumoto
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Marumoto
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Eiko Fuji Brewery
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Tomita Brewery
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Saiya Brewery
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Nakao Brewery
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Joto Types of Sake Video
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Joto Sake- Yasunobo Tomita, Shichi Hon Yari, Cooling Down Rice and Adding Koji
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Joto Sake - Rice from Steamer to Cooler
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Joto Sake - Adding Kakemai to Brew Tank in "Sandan Shikomi"
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Sake Making, Sprinkling the Koji-kin
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Kinomoto Town Profile
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Shichi Hon Yari, The Seven Spearsmen
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Inekari, Rice Harvesting, Expertise
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Sake Making, Step 3--Senmai, Washing Rice
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
A Mystery of Sake Making
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
On Local Sake Rice
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
How Sake Rice is Different from Cooking Rice
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Sake 101, The 3 Basic Levels of Premium Sake
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Sake 101, The 3 Basic Levels of Premium Sake
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Joto Yuzu is here!
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Serving Warm Sake
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Warming Sake 101
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
The Truth About Warm Sake
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Sake Ceramics
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
On-Line Assistant
Ask the Expert
We look forward to hearing from you! Please choose a subject from the options below and let us know your name and email address before adding your message.