Sudo Honke, which began in 1141, is the oldest saké brewery in Japan. It operates in Obara, Kasama. The 55th generation of the Sudo family currently runs the brewery. Sudo Honke is also one of the oldest companies in the world.
The word “honke” in the company name Sudo Honke means “main house” or “headquarters” in Japanese. Thus, it differentiates the main brewery from any branch breweries. The Sudo family is a samurai family, and the word “honke” in samurai families refers to the main household.
The Sudo family came to Obara Kasama in the 12th century. They stimulated the local economy by starting a saké brewery. The first saké brewed by Sudo Honke contained rice from the nearby Kasama plains, and water from the nearby Tone River. Eight centuries later, the Fukushima nuclear disaster only 130 km away threatened to contaminate its water source. Fortunately, tests proved it did not.
So, Sudo Honke became one of the most successful saké breweries in Japan. Its high quality product appeared at the Imperial Court. The brewery also played an important role in the development of saké brewing techniques. By the 14th century, Sudo Honke was one of the first breweries to use koji mold in the saké brewing process. This innovation helped to improve the flavor and quality of saké, and it is still used in saké brewing today.
Sudo Honke has continued to operate for over 880 years. It remains the most famous saké brewery in Japan. Its saké sells all over the world. It has a complex flavor and smooth finish.
In addition to its long history, Sudo Honke gained fame for its commitment to traditional saké brewing techniques. The brewery still uses the same methods as the first Sudo brewers in the 12th century. This commitment to tradition has helped to ensure that Sudo Honke’s saké is some of the finest in Japan.
Sudo Honke by the Century
Here are some of the key events in the history of Sudo Honke:
1141: The Sudo family founds the brewery in Obara, Ibaraki Prefecture.
14th century: Sudo Honke is one of the first breweries to use koji mold in the saké brewing process.
16th century: The brewery begins exporting saké to other parts of Japan.
18th century: Sudo Honke is one of the first breweries to be awarded a government seal of approval.
20th century: The brewery continues to grow and expand, and its saké becomes known all over the world.
21st century: Sudo Honke continues to produce high-quality saké using traditional methods.
Sudo Honke is a living link to the history of saké brewing in Japan.
Same Family – Same Place
Sudo Honke has remained a family business for all of its 880 years. The brewery has passed from generation to generation of the Sudo family.
The brewery has also stayed in its same location for all of these years. It resides in the town of Obara, Ibaraki Prefecture, which is where the Sudo family first settled in the 12th century. The brewery’s location is ideal for saké brewing, as it is close to the Kasama plains, where the rice used in saké brewing is grown, and the Tone River, which provides the water used in the brewing process.
- Year Started: 1141
- Year Ended: 2099
- Origin Of Name: Family Name / Descriptive
- Location Sales: Worldwide
- Brand Name Predecessor: N/A
- Brand Name Successor: N/A
- Owner Original: Sudo Family
- Owner While In Use: Sudo Family
- Owner Successor: N/A
- Year Resurrected: N/A
- What’s Popular Today: Sudo Honke
- Naics Code: 312130
- Location Headquarters: Obara, Kasama, Japan