Shiokawa Brewery | 塩川酒造 - Sake Online

About Niigata Prefecture

Niigata Prefecture is located along the Sea of Japan in the Chubu region, with a landscape shaped by rugged mountains, fertile plains, and long coastlines. Its name, meaning “new lagoon,” reflects the region’s connection to water, from its vast rice paddies to the Shinano River, Japan’s longest river, which flows through the prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, Niigata experiences heavy snowfall in winter, creating ideal conditions for both agriculture and winter sports.

Niigata is renowned for its high-quality rice, particularly the famed Koshihikari variety, which contributes to its reputation as one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions. The prefecture is home to around 90 sake breweries, each crafting unique flavors using the region’s pure snowmelt water. The brewing tradition dates back to the Edo period, with Niigata sake known for its crisp and refined taste.

The region is also famous for its seafood, including fresh snow crab, buri (yellowtail), and the local delicacy noppe, a hearty vegetable stew. Niigata is divided into several areas, each offering distinct local specialties, from the Echigo-Tsumari art installations to the historic castle town of Shibata.

With a rich cultural history, Niigata celebrates annual traditions such as the Sado Island Earth Celebration and the Tokamachi Snow Festival. The prefecture’s blend of natural beauty, rich culinary heritage, and deep-rooted traditions make it a captivating destination in Japan.

About Cowboy

Founded in 1912 in west Niigata City, Shiokawa Brewery is now in its fourth generation under President Kazuhiro Shiokawa, continuously pushing the boundaries of sake brewing.

Overlooking the Shinano River’s Nishikawa and Shinkawa tributaries, the brewery’s clay walls and advanced temperature-controlled tanks create the ideal conditions for crafting sake, from Daiginjo to everyday styles.

What sets Shiokawa Brewery apart is its unwavering commitment to innovation. They have expanded their expertise by training local brewers in vastly different climates across five countries, including the tropical heat of Bali, and by experimenting with non-traditional rice varieties. This global perspective has fueled the development of unconventional products, such as Cowboy “Yamahai”, a bold sake designed to pair perfectly with meats.

While their flagship brand, Koshi no Seki, embodies the essence of light, crisp, and dry Niigata sake, Shiokawa Brewery is dedicated to sharing its unique craftsmanship with the world. Through international brewing collaborations and continuous experimentation, they redefine what sake can be—bridging tradition and modernity with every bottle.

Brewery Toji

Born into the storied Shiokawa Sake Brewery, a family-run establishment dating back to 1912, the successor of the house developed an early fascination with the microscopic world. As a child, his passion for living organisms led him to study microorganisms under a microscope—a curiosity that would ultimately shape his destiny. By middle school, he had already set his sights on inheriting the family craft.

After university, he pursued two years of rigorous training at a brewing research institute before officially joining Shiokawa Sake Brewery in 1998. Upon taking the helm, he sought to elevate Japanese sake beyond domestic appreciation, turning his gaze to the global stage. In 2008, Shiokawa Sake made its first foray into the international market through Hong Kong, and today, it is exported to 14 countries.

Recognizing that traditional Japanese sake distribution was often limited to niche markets, he strategically positioned sake within the expansive world of wine, redefining its competitors and forging new channels for global appreciation. Beyond exports, he actively engages in international brewing collaborations, developing sake that transcends borders—crafted not only for the elite but for a broader, more diverse audience.

Through this bold vision, Shiokawa Sake Brewery continues to blend tradition with innovation, introducing the depth and elegance of Japanese sake to new palates around the world.