Oumon Shuzo was established in 1790 in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, operating originally as Suwanomori brewery near a Suwa shrine before being renamed in the 1950s after the fourth successor drew inspiration from European royal family insignia during a visit to the continent. The brewery made history in 1975 when it appointed Japan's first female toji, a landmark moment in the traditionally male-dominated sake industry, and female brewers continue to make up roughly half the current staff. Master toji Tanaka Takeshi holds one of only eight Zengiren Sake Meister designations in Japan and has earned five consecutive Gold Medals at the National Sake Tasting Competition.
