A brewery that
continues to
brew authentic
flavors by hand
- Manufactured with 100% domestic raw materials, mainly from Nagano Prefecture.
- Manufactured by natural brewing without heating.
- Preserving traditional handmade methods.
THE
REAL TASTE
Brewery that continues to brew by hand
Koujiya Hondo Brewery which was established in 1869 and is surrounded by the rich nature of Shinshu, continues to carefully protect the manufacturing method from the time of its founding, which is hand-made from kouji. We make miso with great care. No matter how the times change, we want to protect the wisdom and technology we inherited and pass them on to future generations. Rather than seeking efficiency, we want to take responsibility for creating things with our own hands where possible. We continue to pursue the "genuine" taste with natural brewing that takes advantage of the land's climate, with a focus on hand-made wooden barrels. We want to deliver true deliciousness and original taste. We use 100% domestic raw materials.
Thoughts on the logo
The central character "Hon" has two meanings.The first "Hon" is the name of the founder, Aiji Hondo.The second "Hon" is the pride and commitment to being "genuine". At our brewery, where everything from kouji to miso is made by hand, it is a manifestation of our ambition to continue to brew authentic tastes. "Skills" inherited from our predecessors are irreplaceable assets. The circle that surrounds it is based on the motif of a large 5-ton "wooden bucket" that our brewery continues to use. We continue to use wooden barrels that are unsuitable for mass production and difficult to manage. This is because we want to deliver the mellowness and original taste of miso that can only be produced in wooden barrels. No matter how the times change, this logo represents our desire to protect the traditional manufacturing method and authentic taste.
about
SUZAKA's Miso
It is a little known fact that Shinshu miso accounts for over
50% of the miso produced nationwide. Nagano Prefecture,
where the culture of preserved foods has developed since
ancient times as a way to endure the long and harsh
winters, has achieved this feat. But why has Shinshu miso
alone become so widespread? One of the contributing factors
is the transformation of the industries that supported the
prefecture.
With a climate characterized by low annual precipitation,
Nagano Prefecture was well-suited for cultivating mulberry
trees, which serve as food for silkworms. This made the
prefecture ideal for sericulture, and the silk production
industry prospered from the early Meiji period. However,
as time passed, the silk industry declined. The inland
climate with low humidity and significant daily and yearly
temperature variations was suitable for cultivating soybeans
and rice. As a result, more and more companies shifted their
focus to miso production using soybeans and rice as the
primary ingredients.
Due to its snowy environment, the culture of making
miso on a small scale had taken root. Many silk factories,
which had historically brewed miso for their employee's
consumption, managed to transition relatively smoothly
into miso production, despite being in a different industry
altogether. Later, during the wartime national strategy,
Nagano Prefecture took on the responsibility of producing
miso for shipment to the Kanto region. Successfully meeting
the supply demands greatly contributed to expanding its
market, and post-war, Nagano Prefecture became a major
producer of miso. Presently, the top three producers of
miso in the country are all prominent miso manufacturers
headquartered within the prefecture, a testament to its
remarkable journey.
Nurtured in the rich nature of Shinshu
We deliver homemade taste
While the times are changing, fermented foods have been loved since ancient times as a soul food that has supported the Japanese health and diet. Keeping to tradition, we have been thinking that we would like to deliver a comforting taste because it is familiar in our daily life. In this land of Shinshu, which is rich in nature, we carefully create products that will please customers with the techniques we have inherited from our predecessors and our own beliefs and thoughts.
HISTORY
-
1869
The founder, Aiji Hondo, founded the malted rice brewing company,
Hondo Koujiya, in Kokumachi, Suzaka City.
The production and sales of miso and soy sauce was started in the late Meiji period. -
1961
3rd generation Morinobu Hondo established Koujiya Hondo Brewery Co., Ltd.
-
1967
The factort was relocated to Nobe(Muraishimachi), Suzaka City
-
1993
Hirofumi Hondo, 4th generation, assumed the position of president.
-
1999
Incorporating the architectural style of the Meiji era, a store and
office with a multipurpose hall on the second floor was completed.
About the 4th
Generation
Hirofumi Hondo
After graduating from Tokyo University of Agriculture brewing department, he joined the family business
"Koujiya Hondo Brewery".In 1993, he was appointed as the company's 4th president.In 1999, he acquired a
"first-class miso manufacturing technician licence". He received the Governor's Award for First Class Miso
Production (1st Place) at the Nagano Prefectural Skills Competition.
Received the "Excellent Technician Award" many times at the National Miso Appraisal.In 2018, he received the
"Excellent Technician Award (Shinshu Miso Master Craftsman)" from the "Nagano Prefectural Miso
Federation".
Certified as "Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Monozukuri Meister (Miso Production)"
In 2019, he received the "Japan Brewing Association Brewing Skills Award"
MAJOR AWARDS IN
RECENT YEARS
-
2017
The 67th Nagano Prefecture M Miso Competition Nagano Prefectural Governor Award Excellence Award
-
2018
The 68th Nagano Prefecture Miso Competition Nagano Prefectural Governor Award Excellence Award
-
2019
The 69th Nagano Prefecture Miso Competition Nagano Prefectural Governor Award Excellence Award
The 62nd National Miso Appraisal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Food Industry Bureau Director's Award
The 2nd Nagano Amazake Appraisal Nagano Prefectural Governor Award
Koujiya Hondo Brewery
Co., Ltd.
ADD
1366 Nobe Muraishimachi,
Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture
tel.026-245-0456 fax.026-251-2411
BUSINESS HOURS
Weekdays 9:00-18:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 9:00-17:00
