Hatsukame Jōzō is a sake brewery in the Okabe district of Fujieda, Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture. Founded by Kurōemon Hashimoto in 1636 under the name Ashinaya, near Sunpu Castle, it is considered the oldest surviving sake brewery in the prefecture.

It is known as an early pioneer of ginjō sake production and the development of Japan’s premium sake market. Production relies primarily on Homarefuji rice from Shizuoka and Yamada Nishiki from Hyōgo, along with groundwater from the Southern Alps. Its distinctive style combines delicate, elegant aromas, a soft texture, balanced sweetness and acidity, and pleasant rice umami, with particular emphasis on complementing Shizuoka’s seasonal cuisine. Its range includes tokubetsu junmai, junmai ginjō, daiginjō, and junmai daiginjō sake, including aged releases.

Today, Hatsukame Jōzō builds its identity on its long history, the quality of its premium sake, and its connection to local gastronomy. Its continued development focuses on preserving traditional craftsmanship and its distinctive style.