Kura
蔵
Sake Basics
परिभाषा
A sake brewery, also called sakagura (酒蔵). The word kura means storehouse or warehouse, reflecting the traditional architecture of thick-walled buildings designed to maintain cool, stable temperatures for brewing and aging.
गहराई में
Japan has approximately 1,300 active sake kura, down from a peak of roughly 4,600 in the early 20th century. Each kura develops its own house style influenced by local water, rice, climate, and the philosophy of its toji (master brewer). Many kura date back centuries and remain family-owned, passing brewing traditions through generations. The kura is the heart of sake identity, and brewery visits are an important part of sake tourism.