Kobayashi Shuzo was founded in 1872 in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, in a village then known as Mitamura, meaning beautiful rice fields, which became the second half of the brand name HououBiden. In 2004 the sake won gold at the National New Sake Competition, repeating the achievement the following year and establishing the brand's national reputation for fruity, high-quality ginjo character. Nearly every stage of production is done by hand, including direct-fire steaming over an open cauldron, a method the brewery credits with producing more evenly fermented, more flavorful sake.
