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SPIRITS OF JAPANLand · Water · Time
ENJA

HISTORY

Ancient to Reiwa. Only events confirmed against sources appear; eras still under research are marked as such.

  1. ANCIENT

    古代 · to 12th c.

    The era of the origins of rice-and-koji brewing. Sources are being reviewed.

    1. Sources under review

  2. MEDIEVAL

    中世 · 12th–16th c.

    An era of brewing by temples and town brewers. Sources are being reviewed.

    1. Sources under review

  3. EDO

    江戸 · 1603–1868

    Breweries still at work today — in Fushimi, Nada, Suwa and elsewhere — were founded in this era.

    1. 1637Gekkeikan founded in FushimiFounded in Fushimi, Kyoto; the company continues today.Sake · 月桂冠株式会社
    2. 1662Miyasaka Brewing founded in SuwaThe Suwa, Nagano, brewery behind Masumi.Sake · 宮坂醸造
    3. 1743Hakutsuru founded in NadaFounded in Mikage-go, one of the five districts of Nada.Sake · 白鶴酒造

  4. MEIJI

    明治 · 1868–1912

    Wine-making experiments began, and awamori and shochu distilleries were founded.

    1. 1887Zuisen founded in ShuriAn awamori distillery in Shuri, Naha.Awamori · 瑞泉酒造
    2. 1890Zenbei Kawakami opens Iwanohara VineyardZenbei Kawakami — later the breeder of Muscat Bailey A — opens a vineyard in Joetsu, Niigata.Japanese Wine · 日本ワイナリー協会 / 国税庁

  5. TAISHO

    大正 · 1912–1926

    Construction of Japan's first malt whisky distillery began.

    1. 1923Construction of Yamazaki Distillery beginsWork begins on Japan's first malt whisky distillery, completed in 1924.Japanese Whisky · サントリー

  6. SHOWA

    昭和 · 1926–1989

    A northern distillery, post-war awamori distilleries and new wineries appeared.

    1. 1934Yoichi Distillery completedMasataka Taketsuru's first Nikka distillery, in Yoichi, Hokkaido.Japanese Whisky · ニッカウヰスキー

  7. HEISEI

    平成 · 1989–2019

    The birth of ji-beer, new labeling standards, and the spread of geographical indications.

    1. 1994Minimum volume for beer licences cutA Liquor Tax Act amendment cut the annual minimum from 2,000 kL to 60 kL, letting small breweries — ji-beer — open across Japan.Craft Beer · 国税庁 / 国税庁
    2. 2004Revised sake designation rules take effectThe polishing-ratio requirement for Junmai was removed and a 15% minimum koji-rice ratio added (effective 1 January 2004).Sake · 国税庁
    3. 2010Koshu registered with the OIVKoshu is registered as a wine grape variety with the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.Japanese Wine · 国税庁 / 山梨県
    4. 2013Muscat Bailey A registered with the OIV; GI Yamanashi (wine) designatedMuscat Bailey A joins the OIV list, and Yamanashi is designated a wine GI the same year.Japanese Wine · 国税庁 / 国税庁
    5. 2015"Kusu" now requires all contents aged 3+ yearsFrom 1 August 2015, only awamori whose entire contents were aged three years or more may be labeled kusu.Awamori · 沖縄県酒造組合
    6. 2015"Nihonshu" designated a GIOnly sake made in Japan from Japanese rice may be labeled Nihonshu.Sake · 国税庁 / 国税庁
    7. 2018"Nihon Wine" labeling rules applyOnly wine made in Japan from 100% Japanese-grown grapes may be labeled Nihon Wine (from 30 October 2018).Japanese Wine · 国税庁

  8. REIWA

    令和 · 2019–

    A labeling standard for Japanese Whisky, and further GI designations.

    1. 2021Japanese Whisky labeling standard takes effectThe JSLA's voluntary standard took effect on 1 April 2021; the transition for existing products ran to 31 March 2024.Japanese Whisky · 日本洋酒酒造組合 / Japan
    2. 2024"Tokyo Shimazake" designated a GIA GI for spirits distilled on the Izu Islands of Tokyo.国税庁