Morishima Sake Brewery

Morishima Sake Brewery is currently run by the 6th generation owner Shoichiro Morishima, the first of his family to earn certification from the Nambu Toji Guild as a master sake maker. Launching the original Morishima lineup of sake they created a uniquely bright, vivacious and juicy style with a slight salinity, influenced by their close proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

Founded in 1869, the year after the Meiji Restoration overthrew the feudal past and brought Japan to the modern industrial era, Morishima Brewery has had to reinvent itself for each successive era of history. Completely destroyed by bombing in the Second World War the breweries were rebuilt using Oya stone, also known as Green Tuff. Formed by volcanic emissions cooled by seawater, the stone is strong and fire resistant, and was a commitment by the Morishima family to sake brewing and the future. 

Soon after earning certification as a brewmaster, Shoichiro Morishima was tested as the brewery was rocked by the Great Tohoku Earthquake of 2011. While avoiding complete destruction, the buildings were heavily damaged, sunlight streaming inside through the cracked stone walls. While relocation or rebuilding with modern materials seemed like a quicker answer, the family recommitted to the original stone brewery with its natural cooling walls and close location to the ocean. The Morishima brand was created in 2019 with their family name and bearing an image of an Oya stone that had survived the 2011 Earthquake: a symbol of resilience in tough times and their wish to continue making uniquely delicious sake in the future.