Seven Naha Awamori Distilleries Join Forces as the "Naha Nanakurakai"

Seven Rivals Join Hands

On 22 July 2026, seven awamori producers in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, launched the “Naha Nanakurakai” (Naha Seven Breweries Association). The members are Kumesen Shuzo, Mizuho Shuzo, Miyazato Shuzojo, Tsuhako Shuzo, Zuisen Shuzo, Shikina Shuzo and the Okinawa Prefecture Sake Brewers’ Cooperative. Distilleries that normally compete in the market will now share a single name, “Naha”, and aim to spread awamori culture not only within Japan but overseas as well.

The catalyst is the restoration of the main hall of Shuri Castle. Shuri Castle was the royal castle of the former Ryukyu Kingdom, and its main hall was destroyed by fire in 2019. The area around Shuri is also where awamori was made under the administration of the royal government in the kingdom’s day. The starting point of this collaboration is the wish to retell the history of the region now that the restoration marks a turning point.

Awamori, “Kusu” and a Commemorative Blend

Awamori is Okinawa’s distilled spirit, and it is made differently from sake, which is fermented rice drunk without distillation. It is made mainly from Thai rice: all of the rice is turned into koji with black koji mould, then fermented and distilled just once. Awamori aged for three years or more may be called “kusu” (old awamori), and the longer it matures in jars or bottles, the more its edges soften and the sweeter and rounder its aroma is said to become.

At the launch, the Nanakurakai announced that it plans to sell a commemorative blend of kusu from each distillery. As an attempt to bring the character of seven distilleries together in a single bottle, it could be a gateway to tasting Naha as a production area all at once. Details such as the release date and specifications had not been disclosed at the time of the launch.

Enjoying Awamori in Europe

You do not have to travel to Japan: awamori can sometimes be found in Europe. Look in specialist Japanese drinks shops and online stores for bottles labelled “Awamori”. If you find a brand from one of the distilleries named here, it offers a way to compare the characters of Naha’s makers. Pay attention to the age statement too. Young awamori is best served lightly with water or soda, while kusu is best enjoyed first in a small measure neat, or over a large piece of ice, so that you can savour the changes in aroma slowly. Whether the Nanakurakai’s commemorative blend will reach overseas markets remains to be seen, so we will wait for further news.