Konko Sake Brewery Bottling Plant

Kanemitsu Sake Brewery Bottling House: A Registered Tangible Cultural Property in Higashihiroshima

Nestled along National Route 375 in the quiet agricultural town of Kurose in Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Kanemitsu Sake Brewery Bottling House (金光酒造瓶詰所) stands as a testament to over 140 years of sake-brewing heritage. Registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property in April 2020, this bottling house is one of eight structures within the Kanemitsu Sake Brewery complex that received this prestigious designation, together forming an authentic landscape of traditional Japanese sake production.

History of Kanemitsu Sake Brewery

Kanemitsu Sake Brewery was founded in 1880 (Meiji 13) in Kurose-cho, a district in the southwestern part of Higashihiroshima City where the Kurose River flows through fertile agricultural land. For generations, the brewery produced sake under brand names such as "Kamo no Tsuyu," "Kisui," and "Sakura Fubuki" (Cherry Blossom Blizzard), with Sakura Fubuki eventually becoming their flagship brand.

In 1994, the brewery introduced automated brewing equipment to cope with labor shortages, a common challenge facing small regional breweries at the time. However, in 2003, Kanemitsu Hideki, the fifth-generation head of the brewery, made a bold decision to abandon the automated system and return to traditional handcrafted brewing. He believed that a small-scale brewery should focus on quality over quantity, and he developed a new premium brand called "Kamo Kinshu" (賀茂金秀), combining the local district name "Kamo" with characters from his own name.

This gamble paid off dramatically. In 2009, Kamo Kinshu won a gold medal at the prestigious National New Sake Awards (全国新酒鑑評会), and the brewery has continued to earn accolades at numerous competitions ever since. In a remarkable recognition, Kamo Kinshu sake was served at the G7 Hiroshima Summit working lunch in May 2023. In 2025, the company transitioned from a limited partnership (合資会社) to a joint-stock corporation (株式会社).

The Registered Cultural Properties

In April 2020, eight structures within the Kanemitsu Sake Brewery complex were registered as national Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (登録有形文化財). These buildings collectively represent the cultural heritage of the sake-brewing industry in the Kurose area and include:

• Bottling House (瓶詰所) — The structure where brewed sake is bottled for distribution. Its distinctive roof design reflects the functional architecture of Meiji to early Showa-era industrial buildings.
• Brewing Storehouse (仕込蔵) — The heart of the sake-making operation, where rice is fermented in traditional tanks. The interior features soaring two-story spaces essential for temperature management.
• Storage Warehouse (貯蔵蔵) — Used for aging and storing sake, this structure maintains the cool, stable conditions necessary for maturation.
• Packaging House (包装所) — Where finished products are prepared for shipment, featuring the characteristic roofline visible from the national highway.
• Detached Building (離れ) — A separate residential or reception structure within the brewery grounds.
• Well House (井戸小屋) — Sheltering the well that supplies the medium-hard groundwater essential to the brewery's distinctive sake character.
• Gate and Wall (門及び塀) — The traditional entrance that marks the boundary of the brewery compound.
• Chimney (煙突) — A prominent landmark of the brewery, the chimney is a symbol of the steam-powered processes historically used in sake production.

Together, these structures form a cohesive brewery landscape that embodies the culture and traditions of Japanese sake production. The registration acknowledges their historical, artistic, and scholarly value as a group of buildings that have been well preserved while remaining in active use.

Why Was It Registered as a Cultural Property?

Japan's Registered Tangible Cultural Property system was established in 1996 to protect historically significant buildings that might otherwise be lost to modernization and development. Unlike the stricter "designated" cultural property system, registration offers a more flexible framework that allows owners to continue using their buildings while preserving their cultural value.

The Kanemitsu Sake Brewery complex was registered because its ensemble of buildings authentically represents the traditional sake-brewing industry. The structures date from the Meiji period through the early Showa period and have been continuously used for sake production for well over a century. The brewery is the sole remaining sake producer in Kurose Town, making it an irreplaceable part of the local cultural landscape. The buildings demonstrate how sake breweries were organized and operated, with each structure serving a specific function in the production process — from brewing and storage to bottling and distribution.

Highlights and Attractions

While the registered cultural property buildings themselves are not open for general public tours, as they serve as both a working brewery and private residence, visitors can still experience the Kanemitsu Sake Brewery through its on-site direct sales shop. The shop's interior is designed to evoke the atmosphere of a sake storehouse, and it offers the brewery's full range of products, including the acclaimed Kamo Kinshu and classic Sakura Fubuki brands, as well as fruit liqueurs made with lemon and strawberry.

The exterior of the brewery complex is visible from National Route 375, where the white-roofed buildings, the chimney, and the traditional gate create a striking scene that transports visitors back to a bygone era of Japanese craftsmanship. The brewery's location along the highway, marked by its distinctive white roofs, makes it easy to spot when driving through the area.

For those interested in Japanese sake culture, a visit to the Kanemitsu direct sales shop provides an opportunity to purchase exclusive brewery-only products, speak with knowledgeable staff, and learn about the "Fresh & Juicy" brewing philosophy that has made Kamo Kinshu one of Hiroshima's most celebrated sake brands.

Surrounding Area

Kurose Town offers several attractions worth exploring in combination with a visit to Kanemitsu Sake Brewery. The area is part of Higashihiroshima City, one of Japan's three great sake-producing regions, and a trip here can be combined with visits to the famous Saijo Sake Brewery District.

• Hoda Kiln (保田窯) — A pottery studio with a traditional climbing kiln where visitors can enjoy hands-on ceramic-making experiences. The kiln was also used as a filming location for the Japanese movie "Koi no Shizuku."
• Kurose Dam (黒瀬ダム) — An irrigation dam along the Gagara River with a scenic 2-kilometer walking path around the reservoir, particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season.
• Ryuozan General Park (龍王山総合公園) — A hilltop park featuring approximately 80 cherry trees of various species, playgrounds, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
• Saijo Sake Brewery District — About 30 minutes by car, this famous district near JR Saijo Station features seven breweries along a historic streetscape, many offering tours and tastings.
• Kobokudo (香木堂) — A local confectionery known for its artisanal karinto crackers, a popular Hiroshima souvenir.