Hakutake Shiro Rice Shochu

Hakutake / Shiro (Takahashi Shuzo) · Kumamoto (Hitoyoshi)
Alcohol Shochu Alcohol Established export

Takahashi Shuzo of Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, founded 1900, is Japan's number-one selling brand of rice shochu. Shiro (Hakutake Shiro) is a clear, dry, elegant kome shochu distilled from 100% rice with Hitoyoshi-basin water, versatile on the rocks, with water or in highballs. The brand exports to over 27 countries and is distributed in the US by Co-Ho Imports. Kuma rice shochu is a regional GI specialty.

The supplierTakahashi Shuzo, founded 1900, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto; Japan's #1 rice shochu producer; exports to 27+ countries
Why it sells abroadJapan's top rice shochu; clean versatile profile; Kuma GI provenance

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHalal: not publicly verified. Organic-JAS: not publicly verified. Kosher: not publicly verified. HACCP/FSSC 22000: not publicly verified. (confirmed) Takahashi Shuzo (est. 1900, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto) makes Hakutake/Shiro under the Kuma Shochu Geographical Indication (designated by Japan's National Tax Agency, 1995); ~50% share of Japan's rice-shochu market; sold in Japan + 28 countries. (GI, not a dietary/food-safety cert.)
Pack formats720ml, 750ml, 1800ml; cases of 6/12 (draft retained)
Shelf lifeStable distilled spirit, multi-year shelf life (draft retained)
StorageAmbient; keep sealed, away from heat/light
Minimum orderTypical: case-level via Co-Ho Imports
Lead timeTypical: importer stock; reorder 6-8 weeks
CapacityTypical: large-scale; #1 rice shochu volume in Japan
Container loadFCL achievable via importer
PricingMid; Hakutake Shiro 720ml retail ~USD 22-30
OEM / private labelLimited; primarily own Hakutake/Shiro brands.
Wholesale & MOQRice shochu wholesale; 720ml/750ml mid-tier
Key exporters & distributorsCo-Ho Imports
Export regulationTTB COLA + import permit (US); Kuma GI; HS 2208
Market demandEstablished; benchmark kome shochu in US/EU specialty and cocktail bars
How to source itTakahashi Shuzo -> US and EU distributors (incl. MTC Sake) -> retail/on-premise (exports to 28 countries)
Verified sourceshttps://www.hakutake.co.jp/eng/learn/kuma/; https://www.mtcsake.com/products/p/hakutake
MakerTakahashi Shuzo Co., Ltd.
OriginKumamoto (Hitoyoshi)
CategoryAlcohol / Shochu
Available inUnited States, United Kingdom, France +5 more
HandlingAlcohol
Price tierMid
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code2208.90
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.