BUNGO Nakagawa

Concept

Oita Terroir -
World Class by Nature

Oita’s distinctive character is shaped by its mountain waters, sea breezes and deep-rooted cultural traditions—elements that together create a terroir unique to the region.

For generations, local brewers have worked closely with this landscape, refining Sake and Shochu that reflect its climate and character. BUNGO Nakagawa serves as both storyteller and ambassador, sharing the region’s history, craft and sense of place with the world.

We seek to present Oita-made spirits through a global lens—highlighting their quality, individuality and connection to the land. Each glass poured is part of a larger story: one of heritage, innovation and continued relevance.

Oita Terroir

The pure spring water that flows from the Kuju mountain range, the dramatic shifts in temperature that nurture fermentation, and the food culture formed by the blessings of both mountain and sea—together, these forces shape a natural tapestry found only here, giving rise to Oita’s singular terroir.

The Gift of Water

The spring water emerging from the Kuju mountains, the renowned springs selected among Japan's finest, and the water polished slowly over centuries as it passes through limestone caves—Oita, where sea, mountains, and rivers lie in harmony, is sustained by this remarkable diversity of water.
Its purity has long nurtured exceptional rice and barley, enriching the depth and character of the Sake or Shochu it becomes.

The Blessing of Climate

Oita's landscape is shaped by contrasts: coastal warmth, highland chill, mountain rains and calm river basins. These varied climates exist side by side, creating a layered and balanced environment.

This natural rhythm feeds the springs, sustains the rice or barley fields, and provides ideal conditions for fermentation. It's this quiet abundance that gives Oita-made Sake and Shochu their distinctive depth and character.

The Essence of Oita History and Culture

The history of brewing in Oita stretches back nearly 1,300 years, to the sacred Sake once offered to the gods.
Since then, brewing has remained deeply intertwined with people's prayers, their daily rituals, and the cultural heart of the region.

By the 16th century, as Western culture and trade began to flow into Japan, Oita embraced new encounters—experimenting even with winemaking—and became an early crossroads for East–West exchange.
Rooted in a long and storied past yet never standing still, Oita continues to evolve as one of Japan's foremost regions for both Sake and Shochu, embracing new challenges with quiet determination.

Breweries Consortium

Oita is home to many small, long-established breweries, each with its own distinct character and flavour. Together, they form the BUNGO Nakagawa Breweries Consortium.

The consortium brings these voices together, honouring individual traditions while building a unified brand with a wider reach—across Japan and beyond. Its aim is not only to preserve heritage, but to help it grow and evolve for the future.