Kyoto Arashiyama Brewery

The story of Hiromi Kuwahara, the representative of Kyoto Arashiyama Brewery, is really great. It all started when he was struck by the aroma of ale he drank at a pub in England 30 years ago.

He lived in England for a year, then in the United States for more than six years, traveling around craft breweries everywhere. Even after returning to Japan, he kept the dream of "someday on my own," moved to Arashiyama in 2022, and finally opened in 2023.

The signature "Kokon Sagamai Saison" is also really interesting. They're brewing a saison using broken rice from the branded rice "Kokon Sagamai," grown in the historical landscape preservation district of Sagano.

Saison was originally a style brewed by Belgian farmers during the off-season, so it fits perfectly with the idea of making use of agricultural products. Thanks to the rice, it finishes with a subtle fruitiness and an easy-to-drink character.

They have an IPA called "Katsuragawa Beer," which is officially recognized by Matsuo Taisha, the shrine of the god of sake brewing. At 6.5% ABV, it has an exquisite balance of bright aroma and pleasant bitterness. A portion of the sales is returned to "Katsuragawa Tsukimori-kō," which supports cultural activities in the Katsuragawa river basin.

They've also been performing well in competitions: at the International Beer Cup 2025, their Scotch ale won bronze, and at the UNTAPPD Community Awards 2026, they placed in the stout category. That's an impressive record for just a few years since opening in 2023.