SHIRO MIRIN

The brewing of Shiro Mirin began in the middle of the Edo period. Horikiri Monjirō started brewing what would become known as ‘Manjō Mirin’ in 1766, while Akimoto Sanzaemon, the fifth generation head of the Akimoto family, started brewing what would become known as ‘Appare Mirin’ in 1782. To this day, these are the two major brands of Shiro Mirin in Nagareyama. Before the creation of Shiro Mirin, Mirin was a dark beverage produced in the Kansai region. It was the rivalry between the Akimoto family and the Horikiri family, the two alcohol-brewing families in Nagareyama at the time, that gave birth to the pale, clear Shiro Mirin. As a sweet alcoholic beverage, it gained popularity as a luxury drink among lords, nobles, especially women in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Nagareyama flourished under the production of Shiro Mirin and its transport to Edo via the Edogawa river. There were nine breweries in Nagareyama by the Tempo era (1830 – 1844), by which time Nagareyama’s Shiro Mirin had become famous throughout the entire Kanto region. Opening in March 2025, this interactive museum is dedicated to showcasing the wonders of Shiro Mirin. Through immersive exhibitions and hands-on displays, you can learn about its rich history and experience how Nagareyama became known as the “birthplace of Shiro Mirin.” The museum features a stunning wooden structure modeled after traditional sake breweries, complete with a kuroshikkui (black lime plaster) finish and classic sangawarabuki tile roofing. Visitors are welcomed by a grand entrance walkway lined with 12 beautifully hand-cut kirie andon paper lanterns. In the paid exhibit area, guests can explore the origins and benefits of Shiro Mirin as a cooking ingredient. Interactive exhibits include a massive brewing vat, where visitors can stir a virtual batch of moromi (fermented rice mash), and experiment with unique recipes that use mirin in the Kitchen Studio. In the free zone, guests can explore the museum shop, Nagareyama Gururi, where you can enjoy exclusive treats like Shiro Mirin Soft Cream, which is only available here. The shop also offers a selection of tasty souvenirs, including mirin-based liqueurs, desserts, and snacks, perfect for gifting!

The area surrounding the Issa-Sōju Memorial Hall is the site of the original brewery run by the Akimoto family. It was well-known that Akimoto Sanzaemon, the creator of ‘Appare Mirin,’ was acquainted with and in support of Kobayashi Issa, a famous haiku poet in Japan. Sanzaemon enjoyed writing haiku himself, and his pen-name as a haiku poet was ‘Sōju.’ ‘Manjō Mirin,’ the other of Nagareyama’s two major brands of Shiro Mirin, has been produced in Nagareyama Honcho for more than 200 years. Kikkoman Corporation’s factory in Nagareyama is where Horikiri family’s brewing warehouse once stood. Historical items including the label designs that were used for Mirin products in the past make up a small display on the outer wall of the factory for everyone in the city to enjoy.

The Nagareyama City Museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of Nagareyama. At the “Birthplace of Shiro Mirin” exhibition, the museum showcases its large collection of tools, including a massive 5,400-liter brewing vat, along with other essential items like buckets, cooling mats, and pressing bags, that were used during the traditional production process of Shiro Mirin. In addition to these tools, the exhibition features sketches of historic mirin brand labels and branding tools, including stone plates used for printing. With an impressive collection of over 100 preserved mirin brewing tools, the exhibit has been officially recognized as a Chiba Prefecture Designated Tangible Folk Cultural Property, under the title “Nagareyama Mirin Brewing Tools.” This extensive collection offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore and connect with the deep cultural roots of Nagareyama.

Nagareyama Honcho flourished under the Mirin industry for over 200 years, so it isn’t surprising that many of its stores and restaurants offer a wide variety of Mirin cuisine. This includes Japanese and Italian meals as well as Western and Japanese desserts, all made using traditional Shiro Mirin. You won’t find these special treats anywhere else, so be sure to try them while you’re here!