Chikugo’s Barley Shochu Brewery: Nishiyoshida Shuzo｜Tourism

【Fukuoka/Chikugo】Chikugo’s Barley Shochu Brewery: Nishiyoshida Shuzo

Visit a Brewery and Make Your Own Shochu Blend (1hr)

Make an original blend of shochu with a custom label

Tour inside the Nishiyoshida Shuzo brewery

Mixing koji, water, and malt to begin the fermentation process

Add a custom label to your original blend

Your original shochu makes a great gift!

Outside of the Nishiyoshida Shuzo Brewery

Nishiyoshida Shuzo is a shochu brewery that was established in 1893. It is situated in Fukuoka Prefecture near the Chikugo River whose water is clear and full of minerals. Nishiyoshida Shuzo is one of just a few breweries in northern Kyushu that specializes in shochu. On this tour, you will be able to observe almost every stage of the shochu-making process, from steaming the raw materials to distillation. Easy-to-understand explanations are provided during the tour. After observing the different stages of production, you will be able to create a unique blend using three types of shochu. Two of the shochus, Tsukushi Shiro and Tsukushi Kuro, are made from barley and are among Nishiyoshida Shuzo’s best sellers. Finally, create an original label for your shochu blend using your own photos.

● Observe the shochu-making process with easy-to-understand explanations
● Mix three types of shochu to create an original blend
● Experience the taste and aroma of shochu and see how both change depending on the blend
● Create a custom label using your own photos
● Create an original shochu blend - the only one in the world!
● After the experience, enjoying shopping in the store

Takafumi Yoshida Nishiyoshida Shuzo, Managing director

Destination Info

Why do you make shochu in the Chikugo region?

The Chikugo region, where Nishiyoshida Brewery is located, is blessed by the mineral-rich waters of the Chikugo River. This river is fed by nearby Mt. Aso and provides abundant water and fertile soil to the region where rice and barley are grown, and sake is produced. Shochu production first began in the region as a result of sake making. When sake is made, a by-product called sake-lees is created. In order to spread the sake lees on the fields as fertilizer, it is steamed to remove the alcohol content. Shochu is produced as the steam cools and in the past, was given to the village headman who would serve it to villagers during festivals and other events.

Program Contents

Observe the shochu-making process

Visitors can observe almost every stage of the shochu-making process, from steaming the raw materials to distillation. Easy-to-understand explanations are given throughout the tour and if the timing is right, visitors will be able to stir the fermenting mash and smell the unique aromas.

Observe the process and learn with easy-to-understand explanations

If the timing is right, you may be able to stir the fermenting mash

Original shochu making

Mix three different types of shochu to create your own original blend. Tsukushi White and Tsukushi Black are made from the same wheat and black koji but have different flavors due to their different distillation methods. Tsukushi Kinjirushi Barrel has its own distinct aroma from being barrel aged. Experiment with the unique flavor profiles that can be created by blending these shochus. Once you have found a combination to your liking, fill a 500ml bottle and attach a custom label. This custom blend makes for a great present or souvenir!

Code	GFCK05
Dates	Saturday, Sunday 10:30~, 14:00~ *Request type: Please send us your preferred dates using the inquiry form. We will check availability and get back to you. Please note that the tour cannot be held on August 15 and December 20 – January 5.
Duration	1 hour
Schedule	10:25 / 13:55 Check in (Nishiyoshida Shuzo) 10:30 /14:00 Introduction and brewery tour We ask that you wear a disposable hat and disinfect the soles of your shoes during the tour. 10:45 / 14:15 Original Shochu Making & Label Making Experience 11:30 / 15:00 End of experience. If you wish, you can shop at the Nishiyoshida Shuzo store. ＜Nearby Recommendations＞ Near Nishiyoshida Shuzo are the Funagoya Hot Springs, Koinoki Shrine, and Kyushu Geibukan. Please stop by and visit during your trip.
Languages	Japanese
Participants	Minimum 2 people / Maximum 6 people If you wish to participate in a group of more than 6, please contact us for details.
Meeting Location	Nishiyoshida Shuzo 612 Izumi, Chikugo, Fukuoka 833-0041, Japan 15-minute walk from JR Hainuzuka Station 8 minutes by car from JR Chikugo-Funagoya Station
Reservation Deadline	7 days prior to the experience
Payment Method	Advance payment by credit card via the application form（VISA,Master,Amex,JCB)
Attire	Please wear flat, non-heeled shoes as the brewery you will be touring has uneven floors. You will be asked to wear a disposable hat and disinfect the soles of your shoes during the tour.
Notes	This is a program where guests arrange transportation themselves to and from the meeting place. UNA Laboratories staff do not accompany guests on this program. This program will be held even in the event of rain, except in cases of severe weather such as typhoons or torrential rain. All photos are for illustrative purposes only. Drivers are not allowed to participate in the tasting. Pets are not allowed. This experience may take longer than scheduled. Please allow plenty of time for your schedule. Those under 20 years old are not allowed to participate. We will take your temperature at the entrance. Those with a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher may be asked to refrain from participating. This tour may be canceled in the event that its smooth implementation becomes difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the event of cancellation, the tour fee will be fully refunded. We recommend participants purchase domestic travel insurance for the tour.
Cancellation Policy	Cancellation from 3 days prior to the tour to the day before: 50% of the tour fee Cancellation on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour fee No-show or cancellation after the start of the tour: 100% of the tour fee

Travel Planning: Implementation

UNA Laboratories Inc. (Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Registration #2-951)
3-12-22-302 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-0022
TEL: 092-982-7956E-MAIL: tour@unalabs.jp
Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors:
Aya Tamura, Noriko Yahata, Rei Watanabe
Business Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays)
*Requests received outside of business hours will be processed the following business day.
*Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors are responsible for transactions held at the sales office that processes customers’ travel. Please do not hesitate to contact the aforementioned Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors with any questions or concerns regarding the travel contract.

Tour Information

Dates: Saturday, Sunday 10:30~,14:00~
*Request type: Please send us your preferred dates using the inquiry form. We will check availability and get back to you.
Please note that the tour cannot be held on August 15 and December 20 - January 5.

Duration: 1 hour

Recommended Age: Over 20 years

Price: 2,700yen (tax included)