Yukitsubaki Shuzo traces its origins to 1806, when it was established as Maruwaka Shuzo in what is now Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, a town nicknamed Hokuetsu's Little Kyoto for its temples, shrines, and traditional atmosphere. The brand name Koshinoyukitsubaki, meaning snow camellia of Koshi, was adopted in 1967 to honor the prefecture's official tree, the Yuki Tsubaki camellia, which endures harsh winters before blooming in spring. Since 2011, the brewery has specialized exclusively in junmai-shu, and it uses yeast extracted from Yuki Tsubaki flowers as part of its commitment to brewing sake that reflects the identity of the Kamo region.
