Historical Complex "Ito Goshi" Opened in the Former Sake Brewery of "Shikishima (敷嶋)" in Handa City, Aichi Prefecture! What Are the Thoughts of the Brewery Owner?

Renovation of a former sake brewery, the largest in the Chubu region, into a complex facility that conveys local history and culture

Ito Corporation, which produces Shikishima sake, a sake that was revived in 2021 for the first time in 21 years, will open the "Ito Goshi (伊東合資）" complex on January 20, 2024, utilizing the building of the former sake brewery "Ito Goshi Kaisha Hongura" to convey history and culture as the next challenge of President Masaru Ito, the 9th generation brewer. 

The former sake brewery "Ito Goshi Kaisha Hongura" used to be one of the largest in the Chubu region, located in Kamezaki, Handa City, Aichi Prefecture. The newly renovated facility will house restaurants, café bistros, and stores in a space that seems to capture the atmosphere of the past. Visitors can experience the history and culture of Kamezaki, where the brewing industry flourished, through a variety of food and hands-on experiences.

Why a former sake brewery, which was a valuable wooden structure, was revived as a complex facility

Mr.Ito:
In the past, sake breweries were the cultural and economic centers of the region. The town of Kamezaki was also once a bustling brewing and shipping town, where many people came to play. However, as time went by, many activities were lost and the town became a quiet place. Old buildings were being torn down and replaced by subdivisions. If things continued as they were, the town would lose its character — this is why we decided to revive the sake brewery, which is our "business," and to buy back and renovate the main brewery, which boasts a scale rarely seen in Japan.

The Ito Goshi Company's main brewery, which will be opened by Ito Goshi, was founded in 1788 in Kamezaki, Handa City, where the brewing industry thrived, and was known by the brand name "Shikishima". It was one of the largest breweries in the Chubu region, and in 1923 was ranked as the only yokozuna brewery in the Nagoya Tax Supervisory Bureau's jurisdiction (four Tokai prefectures plus Niigata and Nagano prefectures).

Ito Goshi Company was forced to close its business due to the declining demand for sake, but in 2021, the ninth generation head of the company, Masaru Ito, re-acquired a sake production license and revived the company. Now it produces Shikishima sake under the name Ito Corporation. 

Along with the re-acquisition of the sake production license, Masaru Ito was also involved in the re-acquisition of its main brewery. He believes that it is important to preserve this large-scale wooden structure, which has become a rarity in Japan, in order to pass on the culture to future generations, so he re-purchased the former sake brewery building, which he had given up when he closed his business. The building was quite damaged when it was re-purchased, but through diligent repairs, it still retains its grandeur.

Mr. Ito:
Through the Ito Goshi facility, we hope that local residents, including children, will come into contact with traditional techniques such as armor walls and namako walls. By gaining recognition as a place where people can experience these techniques, I hope that it will provide a chance for people to learn about the profession and help the industry, which is struggling with a lack of successors.

Ito Goshi, a complex of restaurants, café-bistros, and stores

The "Ito Goshi" complex utilizes the Ito Goshi Company’s former brewery which is believed to have been built mainly during the Meiji era. Kamezaki Kamos Corporation, newly established by Masaru Ito, will operate the facility. 

The magnificent space, which could no longer be built with modern architecture, will house restaurants, a café-bistro, and stores. Together with the newly created garden, it will be used as a place of relaxation for visitors.

Restaurant gnaw

Restaurant gnaw, which will be opened in a former warehouse building, is a restaurant serving the real season of the Chita Peninsula. The concept of the restaurant is not to buy “the ingredients you want to eat or use”, but to cook only with “the ingredients that can be harvested right in front of you”. The space is filled with a wide variety of dishes and beverages paired with them, creating a special time. 

Restaurant gnaw will utilize the exterior and interior of the old warehouse as much as possible. The restaurant will allow visitors to experience the Chita Peninsula not only with their sense of taste, but also with all five senses.

Mr. Ito:
The Chita Peninsula is an extremely food-rich region. But I don't think many people are aware of it. Restaurant gnaw is a restaurant that conveys this "richness of food" as it is, without exaggeration. And what I would like you to try is the pairing. Of course, the alcoholic pairings are great, but even the non-alcoholic pairings are really wonderful, so even if you are not a drinker, please visit Restaurant gnaw. It will be an unforgettable moment.

Sake Cafe Nijimi (Cafe Bistro)

Sake Cafe Nijimi will be located in the former tankhouse where sake was once pressed. The name "Sake Cafe Nijimi” was derived from the way the food and beverages mix in the mouth and the flavors ooze together, and the various flavors come together like waves. 

Sake Cafe Nijimi is designed to make "pairing" a more everyday experience, with dishes supervised by Restaurant gnaw that can be enjoyed with non-alcoholic drinks as well as sake pairings that are unique to sake breweries. Don't miss the "Sake Brewery Garden," complete with trees inspired by a satoyama, surrounded by the unique armor walls of a sake brewery.

Mr. Ito:
The name "Nijimi" comes from the idea that the flavors mix in the mouth and the food and drink "mix and ooze" together to create a rainbow of flavors that are more delicious than tasting them individually. Please come and enjoy delicious food and drinks in the liberating all-glass-walled restaurant while looking at the lovely garden spread out in front of you.

Kura-no-omise Kamekuchi

Kura-no-omise Kamekuchi will be opened in a former office building that was originally a bank. The interior design is characterized by the fact that as little as possible has been touched, leaving the atmosphere of the Meiji and Taisho eras "as is," including the award certificates from the "Japanese British Exhibition" held in London in 1910 and the "Panama–Pacific International Exposition" held in 1915. 

The store's theme is "I'm glad I'm in a town with a sake brewery”. In addition to sake, side dishes, and sweets made from Shikishima, customers can purchase products that reflect the culture and traditions originating from the sake breweries, such as brewed products from the Chita Peninsula, which flourished through brewing.

Mr. Ito:
The Chita Peninsula is blessed with good maritime transportation, and as a result, the number of sake breweries has increased and flourished in the area. The former Ito Goshi Company also used to make miso and soy sauce, but the brewing industry still thrives today because of the sake breweries. We want people in the area, as well as those who come from other regions, to learn about the wonderful food culture of the Chita Peninsula, including its historical background. For this reason, we plan to sell not only Shikishima, but also brewed seasonings mainly from the Chita Peninsula. We hope to provide a rich variety of food through this store so that people will think "I'm glad I'm in a town with a sake brewery”.

A new landmark in Kamezaki, Handa City

The "Ito Goshi" complex will be opened in the former Ito Goshi Company's main brewery, a historically valuable wooden structure. In the future, the company is preparing to hold guided tours of the brewery on a regular basis, and other efforts to convey culture and history. A unique space where Japanese tradition and modern lifestyle coexist will open soon.

Ito Goshi" Business Information

Operated by Kamezaki Kamos Co.
Location: 9-111 Kamesaki-cho, Handa, Aichi 475-0023, Japan
Business hours:
Restaurant gnaw 18:30 - (open by reservation only)
Sake Cafe Nijimi 11:00-21:00
Kura-no-omise Kamekuchi 10:00-18:00
Closed every Monday (Restaurant gnaw is closed on Sunday and Monday)
Website http://Ito Goshi.com/