A long-established sake brewery in Matsue, home of the local brand "Rihaku."
Rihaku Shuzo was founded in 1882 (Meiji 15) in Ishibashi-chō, the historic castle-town district of Matsue. The brewery's name "Rihaku" was bestowed in 1928 by former Prime Minister Wakatsuki Reijirō, in honor of Li Bai (Rihaku in Japanese), the Tang-dynasty poet renowned for his love of wine.
While honoring the sake-brewing traditions rooted in Izumo mythology, the brewery has long pursued a rich, mellow flavor profile. In addition to refined sake, it produces shōchū and mirin, and its products are distributed not only throughout Shimane Prefecture but also in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Kinki region, and overseas markets including Hong Kong and the United States.
The brewery offers tastings and retail sales on site, making it a perfect complement to a stroll through Matsue's castle town — where visitors can savor freshly crafted local sake.