A small, family-run business founded in 1916, Umeda Brewing Company is the only sake brewery in Aki ward of Hiroshima’s prefectural capital. The workers are passionate about preserving sake-making traditions, such as old-school label designs and “kanzukuri” (winter brewing). At the same time, their desire to satisfy drinkers overseas led them to create export-only “muroka” (unfined sake). Not using the standard charcoal fining process allows the sake to retain more of its unbridled flavor. The brewery has become known for its intensely fragrant and fruity sake, for which they have won awards at Kura Master and International Wine Challenge.