Ibi is produced by Sugihara Shuzo, founded in 1892 in Ono Town, Gifu Prefecture, and recognized as Japan's smallest sake brewery, operating with under 100 koku annual production and just two employees. The fifth-generation owner developed an original sake rice variety called Ibi no Homare by crossing Yamadanishiki and Wakamizu, grown exclusively with local farmers, and serves as both brewery owner and head brewer. Ibi sake is among Japan's most sought-after labels, with bottles regularly selling out on release day and attracting collectors nationwide.
