To get to Fukagawa Distillery, take the Oedo Line or Hanzomon Line to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station. 10 minutes walk from there. Fukagawa Distillery holds a distillery open day once a month.
The open day will feature pop-up stores from nearby eateries and guest bartenders preparing special cocktails.
Check SNS for open day schedule!
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Fukagawa is an area located in Koto Ward(江東区）, east side of Tokyo. It was established on March 30, 2022. The distillery’s operations and production are managed by Rikashitsu Co., Ltd., while planning and sales are handled by Fukagawa Distillery Co., Ltd. where history and culture from the Edo period blend seamlessly with modern creative charm.
This is what Fukagawa is like.
1. A Townscape Alive with History and Tradition
Fukagawa Edo Museum
This museum features exhibits that recreate the townscape of the Edo period, allowing visitors to experience the lifestyle and culture of that era.
Tomioka Hachiman Shrine
Known for the “Fukagawa Hachiman Festival,” which boasts Japan’s largest portable shrine, this shrine is beloved by the local community.
2. A Warm Atmosphere Full of Downtown Charm
Fukagawa offers a welcoming atmosphere with many traditional shopping streets and Japanese confectionery shops, making it easy to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Local restaurants serve specialties like Edo-style seafood dishes and “Fukagawa-meshi” (clam rice), allowing visitors to savor authentic local flavors.
3. Creative and New Cultural Experiences
Craft Distilleries and Cafes
The area is home to unique local industries like the Fukagawa Distillery and creative cafes, which are popular with both young people and tourists.
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Coffee Culture
Renowned coffee shops and roasteries from around the world gather here, making it a perfect area for café-hopping.
In addition, there are walking paths along the Sumida River, offering scenic views of the waterfront. Local residents frequently host events and markets, fostering active exchanges between those who live here and those who visit. Fukagawa is a neighborhood where the traditions of the past are preserved while embracing new challenges, creating a unique spirit.
about distillery
One of the defining features of this distillery is its use of the uniquely developed “New Tsuburo Distiller.” This distiller is inspired by the “Tsuburo-style distiller” used in the Edo period by the Satsuma Domain. It combines modern technology with scientific insights to create a contemporary version. Its simple structure, which includes a large 200-liter flask, ensures a gradual temperature change during the distillation process, resulting in gin with a distinctive flavor.
The distillery’s flagship product is the craft gin “FUEKI.” The name “FUEKI” is derived from the philosophy of the haiku poet Matsuo Basho, “Fueki Ryuko,” which signifies the harmony between unchanging essence and new transformations. The botanicals used reflect the history of the Fukagawa region and include ingredients like Aomori hinoki cypress, domestically grown vetiver, green shiso from Nagano Prefecture, and steamed ginger from Kochi Prefecture. Among these, the woody aroma of Aomori hinoki is particularly notable, offering a rich fragrance and the sweetness of Japanese vetiver, best enjoyed on the rocks or straight.
Fukagawa Distillery values the local culture and history, fostering connections with the community by developing innovative distillation techniques and products. Their products are available for purchase at local liquor shops and online.
Additionally, a video is available that provides an in-depth introduction to the craft gin “FUEKI,” highlighting its beautiful woody aroma and exquisite taste.
What is Tsuburo
The Tsuburo-style distiller is a traditional Japanese distillation apparatus used in the production of shochu during the Edo period by the Satsuma Domain (now Kagoshima Prefecture). This distiller contributed to improving the efficiency and quality of the distillation process and played a significant role in the brewing culture of the time.
Features
- Simple Structure
- The Tsuburo-style distiller uses a large steaming vessel (koshiki) or pot to cool steam and extract alcohol.
- Compared to modern distillers, it has a simple and compact design.
- Low-Temperature Distillation
- The distillation process maintains relatively low temperatures, preserving the flavor and aroma of the ingredients.
- Traditional Wooden Components
- Some Tsuburo-style distillers incorporate wooden parts, imparting a subtle woody fragrance to the final product.
Modern Application
Fukagawa Distillery has developed the “New Tsuburo Distiller,” inspired by the traditional Tsuburo-style distiller and enhanced with modern technology. The improvements include:
- Use of Large Flasks
A 200-liter glass flask enables precise temperature control during the distillation process. - Stable Gin Production
The design ensures gradual temperature changes, making it possible to produce craft gin with pronounced flavors.
Historical Significance
The Tsuburo-style distiller is a symbol of the tradition of Satsuma shochu and has greatly contributed to the development of Japanese brewing culture. Today, its techniques are preserved in some traditional breweries and reinterpreted as innovative technology, as exemplified by Fukagawa Distillery.
What is New Evapo
The “New Evapo” is a vacuum distillation device independently developed by Fukagawa Distillery, located in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, Tokyo. This apparatus creates a vacuum to lower the internal pressure, thereby reducing the boiling point of liquids. This mechanism enables the extraction of delicate botanical aromas and flavors without compromising them at high temperatures.
The “New Evapo” is crafted using the expertise of scientific glass artisans, achieving efficient vacuum distillation in a space-saving design. This technology allows the production of spirits with rich aromas and flavors that were difficult to achieve with traditional distillation methods, adding a new level of appeal to Fukagawa Distillery’s product lineup.
Furthermore, the distillery has used the “New Evapo” to create an original distilled spirit, “Evapo Sake,” which has been offered as a reward for crowdfunding campaigns, demonstrating the expanded possibilities of this innovative distillation technology.
In this way, the “New Evapo” serves as an innovative device that combines traditional distillation techniques with modern scientific advancements, significantly contributing to Fukagawa Distillery’s distinctiveness and the creation of high-quality products.
Summary
- Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
Fukagawa Distillery reinterprets Japan’s traditional distillation techniques, such as the Tsuburo-style distiller, while developing innovative equipment like the New Tsuburo Distiller and New Evapo. This approach has enabled the creation of unique and high-quality products. - Contribution to Local Culture
The distillery values the culture and history of the Fukagawa area, incorporating its essence into their products. For example, the craft gin “FUEKI” uses botanicals that symbolize Fukagawa’s history and nature, creating products deeply rooted in the local community. - Unique Product Lineup
Fukagawa Distillery offers distinctive spirits, such as the flagship craft gin “FUEKI” and “Evapo Sake,” not found elsewhere. Particular attention is given to the selection of botanicals and production methods, delivering spirits with rich aromas and flavors. - Use of Advanced Technology
By employing vacuum distillation technology and precise temperature management with 200-liter large flasks, the distillery leverages scientific expertise to enhance traditional distillation methods. This innovation preserves delicate flavors and aromas in their products. - Connection with the Community
Through local events and crowdfunding initiatives, Fukagawa Distillery fosters strong ties with residents and consumers. Their products are accessible via online sales and local liquor shops, reaching a broad audience. - Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
The distillery actively incorporates local ingredients and practices environmentally conscious production. This approach contributes to regional revitalization and sustainability.
Conclusion
Fukagawa Distillery stands out as a unique presence by preserving traditional values while embracing new technologies and ideas. Its dedication to community, quality, and innovation makes it a truly remarkable distillery.
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