Saito Brewing Company

Formerly kimono merchants, the Saito family began brewing sake in 1895. Located in Fushimi, Kyoto — a district with more than a thousand years of sake-making tradition — Saito Brewing Company sits atop a reservoir that provides the ideal water for brewing smooth, high-quality sake. Upon the enthronement of Emperor Taisho, they launched their brand Eikun, with 英 (“ei”) meaning superior, and 勲 (“kun”) taken from the name of the brewery’s founder. Saito Brewing Company helped revive Iwai rice, an heirloom strain only used in Kyoto. Their products have won 14 consecutive gold medals at the National New Sake Tasting Competition.