Toshimaya: 400 Years of Sake

By Daniel de Bomford

Like many of the great sake brewers, Toshimaya can trace its roots back hundreds of years. The company’s founder, Juemon, opened the country’s first izakaya (tavern) over 400 years ago, and today, President Toshiyuki Yoshimura follows in the founder’s footsteps with the Toshimaya Sake Shop in Kanda, Tokyo.

The intimate setting and the traditionally crafted sake strike at the heart of the Toshimaya philosophy, “Continuity with Change.” Yoshimura explains, “We must preserve tradition where it matters most, but we must also adopt new technologies where they add value.” The company strives to maintain credibility, trust and sincerity, while adopting new strategies for marketing, product development and distribution.

Toshimaya is expanding its exports of sake to new markets with innovative products. The company’s award-winning “Edo Sake Oji (Edo Sake Prince)” is made entirely from ingredients sourced in Tokyo and is exported to the United States, France, Italy, Singapore, and other countries.

The company’s focus on preserving tradition is giving sake enthusiasts around the world the opportunity to experience authentic sake culture, and Yoshimura hopes that they will hold these experiences of enjoying sake and carry the tradition into the future.

To hear more from President Toshiyuki Yoshimura of Toshimaya Corporation, check out this interview with him.