Zuisen Distillery
瑞泉酒造26°13′ N 127°43′ EDistilleryFounded on 1 May 1887 in Sakiyama, Shuri
Zuisen Distillery stands two minutes' walk from Shuri Castle's Keiseimon gate and is one of the old awamori houses of the royal capital, with a free film and free tastings of its kusu. It also makes Usaki, an awamori brewed with prewar black koji found preserved at the University of Tokyo in 1998.
Photo BehBeh · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Under the kingdom the royal government allowed awamori to be made only in three quarters below Shuri Castle, Sakiyama, Akata and Torihori, and kept the distillers under strict control. Zuisen traces its line to the Kyan family, distillers in Sakiyama, and was founded on 1 May 1887. It still works in the same neighbourhood.
In 1998 the company learned that black koji collected before the war had been kept frozen at the University of Tokyo. The film shown at the distillery tells how that mould became Usaki, which brings Shuri's prewar black koji back into use. The shop sells distillery-only bottles, and the tasting counter pours kusu along with a citrus liqueur made with Okinawan kabuchi.
Visiting with care
Zuisen is a working plant in Shuri, so visits centre on the shop and the tasting counter.
- The 10-minute film (with English subtitles) and the kusu tasting are free
- Groups of five or more book at least two business days ahead through the website; smaller groups can walk in
- The distillery does not take phone enquiries at weekends
- Keep hands off the jars and tanks
- Ask before photographing inside the plant
- Japan's drink-driving ban covers bicycles; arrange a lift or a walk if you plan to taste
Worth knowing
- Mornings are quieter, the distillery says.
- Shuri Station on the Yui Rail is about 10 minutes on foot.
- Japan's drink-driving ban covers bicycles, so plan tastings for a day you are not riding, or let someone else do the pedalling.
FAQ
Quick answers about Zuisen Distilleryよくある質問
Can you visit Zuisen Distillery?
Yes. Zuisen Distillery in Shuri shows a free 10-minute film and pours free tastings of its kusu, and visitors in groups under five can walk in. It is about two minutes on foot from Shuri Castle's Keiseimon gate.
What is Usaki awamori?
Usaki is Zuisen's awamori made with prewar black koji that was found preserved at the University of Tokyo in 1998.
What are the hours and entry fee at Zuisen Distillery?
Zuisen Distillery is open 9:00–17:00 (Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau listing, 2023) and entry is free.
How should you behave at Zuisen Distillery?
At Zuisen Distillery: Keep hands off the jars and tanks. Ask before photographing inside the plant. Japan's drink-driving ban covers bicycles; arrange a lift or a walk if you plan to taste.
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