Sanwa Shurui Co., Ltd. is a Japanese beverage producer headquartered in Usa City, Oita Prefecture. Founded in 1958, the company originally specialised in sake brewing, but today its portfolio centres on authentic shōchū, led by the internationally recognised brand iichiko, as well as wines and liqueurs. Guided by the purpose “Filling the world with Wa (harmony)”, Sanwa Shurui is committed to sharing the creativity, cultural depth and regional uniqueness of Japanese fermentation and brewing with the world.
Every day, the team devotes itself to the meticulous craft of sake-making, seeking to evolve the mystique and originality of Japan’s traditional alcohol culture and deliver distinctive value to global consumers. iichiko Saiten is a distilled spirit that expresses the full potential of umami created by Japan’s traditional koji culture. With this one-of-a-kind shōchū, Sanwa Shurui aims to act as a catalyst for the next stage of recognition and appreciation of authentic Japanese spirits around the world.
Beyond that lies a greater goal: to transcend the boundaries between Japanese and Western spirits and establish authentic shōchū as a leading “Japanese spirit” within the global distilled spirits category. Through this new genre of “Wa Spirits”, the company hopes to deliver drinks that leave a lasting impression on those who enjoy them, an enduring source of joy and fulfilment for its makers.
Sanwa Shurui’s products are distinguished by their refined balance and delicacy, achieved through flavour design that harnesses the natural power of koji fermentation. The flagship expression, iichiko Saiten, combines select ingredients and a proprietary distillation method to achieve both a vibrant aroma and a clear, elegant palate, a true embodiment of the Wa Spirit. Whilst rooted in the long tradition of shōchū, it also embraces the freedom and creativity of modern spirits, earning global acclaim as a versatile cocktail base. Its bottle design reflects the aesthetics of Japanese minimalism, appealing to the senses as much as to the spirit, and has found strong resonance both in Japan and abroad.
