A family owned business since 1866, we bring you the Original Oita Mugi Shochu, made purely from 100% barley.
Over 8 generations of independence and family ownership has enabled the Nikaido company to consistently follow a singular vision and pursue a chosen ideal without compromise.
Shochu was revolutionized by the invention of 100% Barley Shochu, an innovation pioneered by Akira Nikaido, producing a new lighter, cleaner taste profile which immediately gained popularity throughout Japan.
This new smoother type of shochu hit a sweetspot, easy-drinking but still rich in flavour. It completely transformed what Shochu meant to Japan and sparked the Shochu boom of the 70s and 80s to become the nation’s favourite drink, putting Oita Mugi Shochu firmly on the map.
The Izakaya is very close to our heart, a cornerstone of local social life, the home of real Japanese conviviality. A real Izakaya has a warmth, a coziness and a sense of belonging that it is hard to find anywhere else, so much more than a casual bar or diner. In turn Shochu and Izakaya culture are inseparably linked, a lot more popular than it might appear to someone outside Japan.
Long held as Japan’s best kept secret, Shochu is finally gaining popularity in the wider world, and so we hope to charm you with the warm buzz of your local izakaya. Once you know, you know!
welcome
to our world
‘Delicious shouldn’t be complicated’
The most popular serve on home ground is the shochu highball, made well it has the perfect balance to highlight the qualities of Nikaido Oita Mugi Shochu; chilled and refreshing, with the rich, smooth notes of barley subtly coming through without overpowering, the perfect drink to see you through a convivial evening with friends.
3.5 parts well-chilled Nikaido Shochu
6.5 parts well-chilled soda water
Served over plenty of clear ice
Everything should be icy cold
Finish with a dash of fresh kabosu juice,
or yuzu and pink grapefruit
Some things are best kept simple.
Kitchom shines brightest when served without anything to distract from the mellow balance and long finish.
Pour over clear ice in a large tumbler,
swirl briefly, sip and enjoy!
Like all spirits Shochu is a product of its provenance. Climate, geography, trade history and raw materials all play in a distillery’s genesis and the character of the spirit it makes. Nikaido is no different, firmly anchored in its origins.
Possibly more than any other company, Nikaido has shaped the distilling destiny of Oita prefecture, now entirely dominated by barley Shochu, a huge source of regional pride.
The pride of Oita – the heart of Hiji Town.
Our home town of Hiji is known for its iconic sunrises due to the bay facing East, in fact the Kanji for Hiji also means ‘sunrise’.
So it is fitting that Hiji was also the home of the dawn of barley shochu, and the shochu revolution of the 70s and 80s.
Today, while Nikaido has evolved into a modern company, we still pursue the same ideals and continue to follow Akira Nikaido’s vision. Everyone who joins the company learns the Nikaido way, and in turn teaches that way to the next generation. While equipment and methods may change, the famous taste of Nikaido never will.
Our goal will always be the consistent pursuit of our ideal of perfect balance, so that we can dependably keep making making the Shochu that a nation took to heart.
The original Oita Mugi Shochu, a true Japanese classic. Introducing our two signature expressions, Nikaido and Nikaido Kitchom.
The original easy-drinking barley shochu from Oita prefecture.
The first ever 100% barley shochu, using barley koji. The original ‘new style’ Shochu, which made Oita Mugi Shochu famous throughout Japan.
Character:
Smooth, crisp and bright combined with a richly aromatic fruity barley heart, integrated with clarity and definition.
The perfect gifting Shochu, renowned throughout Ginza’s bars and lounges. Our aged barley Shochu from Oita prefecture, also made from 100% barley and using barley koji.
Nikaido Kitchom is allowed to rest to further mellow and soften, before being filled in the traditional ceramic Tsubo flask, each one hand painted and unique.
Character:
Balanced, smooth and clean tasting while retaining a richly aromatic long finish.
Commercial and sales enquiries: salesus@nikaidoshuzou.jp
Media and PR enquiries: mediaus@nikaidoshuzou.jp
二階堂酒造有限会社
〒879-1505 大分県速見郡日出町川崎837-13
Nikaido Shuzou Co., Ltd.
837-13 Kawasaki, Hiji-machi, Hayami-gun, Oita, 879-1505, Japan
