Kuro Kirishima Imo Shochu

Kirishima (Kirishima Shuzo) · Miyazaki
Alcohol Shochu Alcohol Growing export

A leading sweet-potato (imo) shochu with characteristic rich sweetness and a crisp finish, from a 100+ year old Miyazaki distillery. Kuro Kirishima made its US debut as a flagship imo style; Kirishima has also launched higher-ABV (35%) lines like Kirishima Melt Barley developed specifically for overseas markets.

The supplierKirishima Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Miyakonojo, Miyazaki), founded 1916; Japan's #1 shochu maker (~JPY 58B net sales; overtook Sanwa in 2012). Massive scale (400 tons sweet potato/day). Flagship Kuro Kirishima. Strong B2B capability; growing export/English readiness.
Why it sells abroadWorld's most ubiquitous imo (sweet-potato) shochu; black-koji richness; from Japan's #1 shochu maker; benchmark of the authentic honkaku imo category

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHACCP / FSSC 22000: not publicly verified. Kirishima Shuzo's own site describes in-house QA (microbiological testing, residual-pesticide testing of rice/sweet potato/water) but does not publish a HACCP/FSSC/ISO certificate. 100% Kyushu sweet-potato sourcing is consistent with their own description but not a formal JAS grade. Restate all as unverified / in-house QA only.
Pack formats720ml, 900ml/1.8L, 200ml; 25%/20% ABV variants (per Kirishima range) — keep as estimate.
Shelf lifeVery long / effectively indefinite for distilled imo shochu (no spoilage; best flavor within ~24 months).
StorageCool, dark; no refrigeration required.
Minimum orderTypical: 1 case via importer; FCL 1×20ft direct for distributor accounts
Lead timeTypical: 1–3 weeks ex-works + 4–6 weeks ocean
CapacityVery high — Japan's largest shochu producer; abundant supply
Container loadTypical: ~1,000 cases (720ml ×12) per 20ft
PricingEstimate: value-to-mid spirit; FOB ~USD 8–13/720ml wholesale equivalent
OEM / private labelBrand only for Kuro Kirishima (flagship controlled brand) — consistent with the maker being a large branded producer.
Wholesale & MOQKirishima Shuzo export + Japanese-food distributors; case MOQ. Growing availability.
Key exporters & distributorsJFC International, Mutual Trading, Wismettac Asian Foods
Export regulationUS TTB/COLA + state tier; imo shochu education needed for trade; EU excise + labeling.
Market demandStrong domestic dominance; export growth in US, Taiwan, HK, China, SG, Korea where authentic imo shochu interest is rising
How to source itWismettac Asian Foods carries Kirishima shochu in North America (confirmed importer for the category); Kirishima export division; JETRO Discover Shochu.
Verified sourceshttps://en.www.kirishima.co.jp/company/employment/; https://www.nomunication.jp/2025/06/23/deep-dive-kirishima-shuzo-japans-biggest-shochu-maker/
MakerKirishima Shuzo Co., Ltd.
OriginMiyazaki
CategoryAlcohol / Shochu
Available inUnited States, Taiwan, Hong Kong +3 more
HandlingAlcohol
Price tierMid
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessGrowing 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.