We are pleased to announce that at the “South Kyushu Sake & Shochu Awards R7 (2025)” held on April 22, Reiwa 7 (2025), Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd. achieved excellent results in the “Honkaku Shochu – Kagoshima Prefecture Category,” and our Chiran Distillery was honored with the ‘Yutoshou – Awarded on behalf of Kura’ (Representative of Yutoshou-winning Breweries).

The South Kyushu Sake & Shochu Awards are held annually to improve the quality of alcoholic beverages. In the Honkaku Shochu Category, 424 items were submitted from 192 distilleries across Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. Among them, only 103 items (an award rate of 24.3%) received an award, making it a highly competitive field. From Kagoshima Prefecture, where Honkaku Shochu production is particularly prominent, the largest number of entries was submitted: 227 items from 102 distilleries, with 52 items receiving awards (an award rate of 22.9%).

Three of Hombo Shuzo’s distilleries received awards in the Honkaku Shochu – Kagoshima Prefecture Category, and among them, Chiran Distillery was selected for the prestigious “Yutoshou – Awarded on behalf of Kura.”

We are extremely honored to receive this wonderful award. We are sincerely grateful to our customers who enjoy our products daily, and to the many people involved in the process, from the raw materials to production. We will continue to strive to improve our manufacturing techniques, starting with our flagship brand “ARAWAZA Sakurajima,” to inherit tradition and culture, and to devote ourselves to sake brewing rooted in the local terroir. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to creating shochu that captivates the heart, worthy of this award. We humbly ask for your continued support.

South Kyushu Sake & Shochu Awards R7 (2025) – Honkaku Shochu, Kagoshima Prefecture Category

South Kyushu Sake & Shochu Awards

The South Kyushu Sake & Shochu Awards are held annually to contribute to the development of the alcoholic beverage industry by advancing manufacturing technology and improving the quality of commercial sake through quality evaluation. Quality evaluations are conducted for “Sake” and “Honkaku Shochu” produced within the jurisdiction of the Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau (Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima). In addition to serving as a reference for future manufacturing technology, certificates of commendation are awarded to alcoholic beverages and Toji (Master Brewers) with outstanding results, honoring their achievements.

Honkaku Shochu Category (Regular Shochu Category) Entry Status (R7/2025)

Total area: 424 items from 192 distilleries (103 awards, 24.3% award rate)
Kagoshima Prefecture: 227 items from 102 distilleries (52 awards, 22.9% award rate) *The highest number of distilleries and items submitted in the area.

Honkaku Shochu Category (Shochu with Soda Category) Entry Status (R7/2025)

Total area: 92 items from 92 distilleries (32 awards, 34.7% award rate)

South Kyushu Sake & Shochu Awards