The Secret Story of the Maker

The Sengetsu Shuzo distillery is located at the confluence of the main stream of the Kuma River and the Mune River, a tributary that serves as the outer moat of Hitoyoshi Castle.
In the early dawn of July 4, 2020, the southern region of Kumamoto Prefecture was hit by an unprecedented torrential rain. The Kuma River, which had brought abundant blessings, overflowed causing great damage to human lives and homes.
 
Sengetsu Shuzo was no exception to the damage. Equipment and vehicles for making shochu and gin, as well as shochu waiting to be shipped, were all destroyed, and the company could not operate for more than four months. Two years have passed since the heavy rains, and the area is finally returning to its pre-disaster state.
 
Now a spa-footbath, a distillery tour and shochu tasting tables on the premises have reopened, and are offered for free. In addition to 'Kawabe' and 'CRESCENT' currently on display, visitors can sample treasured shochu that can only be tasted at the distillery. You may end up having a drinking party right on the spot with many specialties of the Hitoyoshi-Kuma region, such as sweet fish boiled in soy sauce and tofu pickled in miso paste sold at the shop contiguous to the distillery.
 
The Sengetsu Festival, opening the shochu distillery to the public, normally held in May every year, has not been held for the past three years due to the influence of Covid-19. “We welcome all of you since it’s an opportunity to express our gratitude. We are eager to hold the festival annually again," says the president Tsutsumi with a smile.