| FEATURE ARTICLES | Kamikawa and Shimokawa towns Kawabata Shinji was born in Otaru City, Hokkaido. Since his college days in Kanazawa, Kawabata sought to become a brewer, gaining experience at various breweries in Japan. In 2010, he became the chief brewer of Kinteki Shuzo (Shintotsukawa Town), and won the Gold Prize at the Annual Japan Sake Awards for his sake made from Hokkaido rice.
Looking back on those days, Mr. Kawabata says, "I had decided I would return to Hokkaido when I turned 40 years old. Although I had never used rice from Hokkaido for brewing up to then, I thought it important to establish individuality as a Hokkaido brewery, and challenged myself to use 100% Hokkaido rice. And it worked."
The rice used for sake is called Shuzo kotekimai (excellent sake rice). In recent years, the product quality of Hokkaido rice has improved remarkably, and three brands, "Ginpu", "Suisei", "Kitashizuku" have been established as Shuzo kotekimai.
Kawabata Shinji, the chief brewer of Green Hill Sake Brewery (Ryokkugura)
"After returning to Hokkaido, I learned that when you know that the local sake rice is of good quality, who grew it, and where it was produced, you value it more."
Two years had passed since Mr. Kawabata left the brewing scene, and when he was considering moving to another brewery, he received a request from Representative Tsukahara Toshio who had established Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
"I also wanted to engage in small-scale preparation and high-grade sake production (which Mr. Tsukahara was seeking).Although I was a bit anxious and worried about starting at a brand-new brewery from scratch, the appeal of being able to participate in an unprecedented project won out."
Green Hill Sake Brewery (Ryokkyugura)
The natural water of Daisetsuzan Mountains originates in Kamikawa Town, and the neighboring Aibetsu Town produces large quantities of sake rice. Kamikawa Town is considered to have the right conditions to produce sake.
Due to these town features, there originally was a sake fan club, called the "Rice Wine Club." They asked, "What can we do?" and formed the "Sakagura Sasaetai" group to supports Green Hill Sake Brewery, comprised of volunteers from the town.
Mr. Kawabata and members of "Sakagura Sasaetai"
"I moved here with my family, not knowing anyone. I appreciate the warm welcome." said chief brewer Kawabata. Although there are now 25 members, the support circle is expanding rapidly.
Courtesy of Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Located almost in the center of Hokkaido, Kamikawa Town has a population of 3,875 (as of January 2016). The main industry of the town is tourism, with sightseeing to places such as “Sounkyo Hot Springs”, which receives approx. two million people visitors a year and “Daisetsu Mori-no Garden” with its close view of Daisetsuzan Mountains. Other basic industries include agriculture, livestock, and forestry. Specialty brand-name products of the town, such as “Daisetsu Kogen Beef” and “Daisetsu Kogen Vegetables” which are grown in high altitude areas, are distributed throughout Japan.
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Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. Green Hill Sake Brewery
Brewing of Zenryo (whole) Junmai-shu is now underway. For this specialty sake, Shuzo kotekimai (excellent sake rice) from Hokkaido, especially from Kamikawa, and the natural water of Daisetsuzan Mountains are used as raw ingredients.
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