Hakutaka was founded in 1862 in Nishinomiya by Tatsuuma Etsuzo, a member of the family behind Tatsuuma Honke Brewing Company. Hakutaka translates to White Hawk, referencing the pure, dignified spirit bird said to appear once every thousand years. The brewery draws highly coveted Miyamizu water directly from the 500-square-meter area where it wells. Their sake is so revered, it’s been used to honor the gods at Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie prefecture for 100 years. Their sake has been praised by famous writers, including Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, the celebrated author who is the namesake for Japan’s most esteemed literary prize.
