Sake brewing with a focus on locally produced sake in the birthplace of the ninja in Shiga Koka

Seko Sake Brewery is located in Koka, Shiga, the birthplace of ninjas.
Founded in 1869 (Meiji 2), they continue to produce sake with a focus on local rice and pure rice sake.
Located in a mountain village surrounded by mountains and fields, surrounded by the rich nature of the Suzuka Mountains, the sake grown in the harsh winter cold and abundant natural water is popular.

Toshiyuki Ueno/XNUMXth generation brewer of [Seko Sake Brewery].

Seko Sake Brewery was originally the home of Mr. Ueno's wife, Atsuko.Toshiyuki, who is from Saitama Prefecture and worked in advertising in Tokyo, met and married Atsuko, who also worked at a publishing company in Tokyo.Later, when Mr. Ueno was in his 40s, his predecessor became ill and he became involved in sake brewing in earnest.

The rice grown by “Zurinko” creates a variety of flavors.

Sake brewing started mostly by self-taught.Mr. Ueno is particular about using rice and water from Koka. ``This area was the bottom of Lake Biwa in ancient times. Thanks to the mineral-rich clay soil, locally known as ``Zurinko,'' high-quality rice can be grown. Although we have not yet produced rice from Koga, I would like to eventually make sake using only rice from Koga."
Water also uses groundwater on the premises.The mellow yet crisp underground water from the Suzuka Mountains enhances Seko Sake Brewery's sake.

Sake from Seko Sake Brewery

Seko Sake Brewery has more than just one taste.
The ``Junmai Ginjo Ninja Terroir Series'' is a collection of three bottles that allow you to enjoy the differences between rice grown in Koka with sake. "We keep the proportions of yeast, koji mold, and water the same, but only change the rice. I want you to experience how much the flavor changes."
After moving from Tokyo and overcoming changes in the environment, he continues his quest to create sake that conveys the appeal of the ``terroir'' produced by Koka's rice and water.