REGION: Nagano

Started in 1858, Kurosawa Shuzo is a brewery rooted in the agriculture and traditions of the high mountain prefecture of Nagano. Famous for excellent produce, deep miso seasoning and hearty fare, Kurosawa makes stout sake suited to this rich mountain cuisine. Currently run by fifth-generation president Kazuo Kurosawa, with his younger brother Yohei serving as brewmaster.

The Hombo family, founder of Mars, began producing shochu in 1909 and eventually expanded into whisky. Currently, Mars has two distilleries and an additional aging site. Mars Komagatake (FKA Mars Shinshu) sits at 2,625 ft in the Nagano Alps, making it Japan’s highest whisky distillery.

Located in the high mountain valleys of Nagano known for rich soil and fertile agriculture, Senjo Brewery was founded in 1866 by Matsujiro Kurogouchi. The brewery is named after Senjo-ga-take, a 3000 meter peak in Japan Alps, whose snow melt feeds the well water at the basis of their sake. Currently