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Company name: Takazato
Distillery Corporation
Founded: 1949
Address: 417 Aza Takazato, Ogimi Village, Kunigami-gun
TEL/FAX: 0980-44-3297 |
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The rich flavor of nature
can be tasted in the liquor made from spring water from the mountains
of Yanbaru.
Takazato Distillery was founded jointly by the villagers of Ogimi
Village after World War Two. It is located in the northern part
of the main island of Okinawa at the foot of the mountains that
are home to the rare Okinawa rail (Yanbaru-kuina), designated
as a National Natural Treasure. The villagers in this very rural
area had attempted to produce liquor by themselves before the war.
At the time, liquor and daily necessities were brought by waterway
from Shuri.
But it was not until 1949 that awamori-making began in what
used to be a sugar-producing factory. The founder, Shinsui Omine,
has now been succeeded by Akio Ikehara, the third owner. The distillery's
eight employees from the local area continue to produce distilled
liquor for the local people. Takazato Distillery is still the only
distillery in the village.
Of the 100,000 liters of awamori produced every year, 70
percent is consumed by the villagers of Ogimi. But this phenomenon
cannot simply be explained as reflecting the villagers' affection
toward their local awamori brand. The water used to distill
the liquor is spring water from the areas of virgin forest that
are home to the Okinawa rail. The natural water directly supplied
using pipes is said to be the tastiest in Okinawa Prefecture and
families come from as far away as Naha City to take the water home
in tanks.
The awamori from the distillery is sold under the brand names
Yanbaru Kuina and Maruta. Yanbaru Kuina is
a blend of the untamed wilderness and tenderness of the forest.
Maruta, with a mild texture, is named after a local area
in Takazato. Both varieties are of superb quality, largely due to
the freshness and purity of the water they are made from. The distilled
liquor is not produced in large quantities, and much of it is consumed
locally. It is available in special awamori jars and dachi-bin
hip flasks at souvenir shops for tourists. Gaze at the illustration
of the Okinawa rails on the label, and you will almost be able to
hear the people of Takazato bubbling with mirth, boasting of their
natural water! |
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