Mabi, located in the northwest of Kurashiki City.
In the Hattori area, where a peaceful rural landscape spreads on the south side of the Oda River, there is a workshop called HOIDA CRAFT, which started producing sweet sake and liqueurs in 2024.
The building, which was used as a sake brewery until the 1960s, has been renovated to produce and sell small quantities of liqueurs and sweet sake using locally sourced fruits.
We covered the new story of sake brewing created from a historic sake brewery.
About HOIDA CRAFT
HOIDA CRAFT is a workshop that produces liqueurs and sweet sake, established in 2024.
The representative director, Watanabe Nobuyuki, was the former representative of the long-established sake brewery "Yoikigen Co., Ltd." After leaving the family business of sake brewing, he renovated the old brewery of his family, which was the base for Yoikigen until it moved to Soja City in 1966, with the desire to "once again engage in community-focused sake brewing," and established HOIDA CRAFT.
The name "HOIDA" is derived from the place name "Hoidason, Kibi-gun," where sake brewing began in the area in 1907. It embodies the intention to "return home" to the place of origin and advance with a new philosophy.
Hoidason
A village that existed in the current Hoiida area of Tamashima in Kurashiki City and part of Mabi. It was incorporated into Tamashima City and Mabi-cho, Kibi-gun on April 1, 1956, and was abolished.
Introduction to the Workshop
The workshop, created by renovating the old brewery, takes advantage of the benefits of small-scale production to manufacture various liqueurs.
The main liqueurs made using fruits are produced according to their respective harvest seasons.
The equipment used for bottling the completed liqueurs can bottle two bottles at a time. Watanabe mentioned that this size is easy to handle for small-scale production.
In the back room, there is equipment for producing sweet sake that has been used since the Yoikigen era.
This large pot-like device is a saccharification device that converts the starch in rice into sugars. It is the key device for sweet sake production and can handle up to 300L at a time.
The method involves placing a heater in the adjacent tank to warm the water and circulate hot water around the container using a pump to maintain a constant temperature. Watanabe mentioned that this is similar to making sweet sake with a home rice cooker.
Using this equipment, they typically produce about 100 to 120L of sweet sake at a time.
Outside the workshop, there is a koji room (koji muro), which is considered the heart of sweet sake production. Watanabe describes it as a small room called "Wood Room", which has a handmade feel created through DIY.
"Garden Bar" Used as an Event Venue
On the premises, there is a DIY-created space called "Garden Bar", which is being considered for use in future events.
The stylish interior, which conveys the warmth of wood, features a bar counter that offers not only their own products but also a variety of other alcoholic beverages.
Product Introduction
Currently, HOIDA CRAFT produces original liqueurs made from locally sourced fruits and sweet sake that utilizes techniques cultivated over many years of sake brewing.
Original Liqueurs
With the motto of "Exploring the possibilities of liqueurs," they are committed to handcrafting small-batch fruit liqueurs. They use fresh local ingredients, cutting seasonal fruits such as white peaches, pears, and mandarins by hand.
They do not use coloring agents or fragrances during production, emphasizing the original taste of the fruit and overwhelming fruitiness.
As a fruit-based product, they also produce yuzu liqueur, which is made using yuzu juice from Kochi Prefecture, known for its yuzu production.
Additionally, they produce "Hakka Water" using Japanese mint.
From 1873 to 1941, Japan boasted the world's largest production of mint.
During that time, Okayama Prefecture was the second largest production area in the country, following Hokkaido. With this historical background, they use the variety "Shinbimidori," which has recently been revived in Yakage Town, for extraction.
By adding Hakka Water to their mandarin and yuzu liqueurs, they create a more refreshing flavor.
Sweet Sake
As mentioned in the introduction to the workshop, the sweet sake made using techniques cultivated over many years of sake brewing is a popular product of HOIDA CRAFT.
They use handmade koji made in a dedicated koji room to create sweet sake that brings out the natural sweetness of the rice.
The unique packaging (labels) of the sweet sake features humorous illustrations of cats, pandas, penguins, and cows, making it hard to resist picking them up.
Participation in Various Events
This year (2026) marks the second year since their establishment, and they are actively participating in events to raise awareness among more people.
In Kurashiki City, they are participating (or planning to participate) in events such as the Ishichi New Sake Festival, BEER SMILES, Achi Festival, and Enjoy Bichu Local Sake Festival SAKE be!!.
Additionally, they plan to participate in larger events such as the Japanese Sake Festival to be held in Tokyo and Osaka in July 2026, as well as trade exhibitions aimed at expanding their business.
We spoke with Nobuyuki Watanabe, the representative director, about his commitment to product creation and future prospects.
Data of HOIDA CRAFT Co., Ltd.
| Organization Name | HOIDA CRAFT Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing and sales of liqueurs, amazake, etc. |
| Representative Name | Nobuyuki Watanabe |
| Year Established | 2024 |
| Address | 431 Hattori, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact Information | Phone Number 086-697-5533 (090-7372-1009 Watanabe) FAX Number 086-697-5539 |
| Website | HOIDA CRAFT |
