Kawamura Shuzoten was founded in 1922 in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, in the homeland of the Nambu Toji master brewers, and the Yoemon brand was named after the founder of the brewery. Distribution is intentionally minimal, sold only at the brewery, a single selected liquor shop, and a handful of restaurants chosen based on personal kinship with the owner, making the sake difficult to find outside Japan. The brand is characterized by a sour, acidity-forward profile with a rich yet crisp finish that appeals to serious sake enthusiasts.
