Ise Kadoya Brewery is a renowned craft brewery in Ise, Mie Prefecture, whose beers have earned recognition at international competitions. Its story is rooted in a long tradition of hospitality dating back more than 430 years, when the historic Ise Kadoya business welcomed travelers arriving by boat to visit Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine complexes.
Alongside producing and selling Nikenchaya Mochi, a traditional local rice cake, the family business has also made miso and soy sauce. In 1997, it expanded into craft beer brewing, bringing its long-standing commitment to quality and craftsmanship to a new product.
Ise Kadoya Beer is made with carefully selected ingredients and hands-on brewing techniques. Its beers are produced without filtration or heat pasteurization, helping preserve their distinctive flavors and aromas. This attention to detail has helped establish the brewery as a respected name in Japan’s craft beer scene.
A major milestone came in 2003, when Ise Kadoya Beer received a gold medal in its category and was named a Best of Class Winner at the Australian International Beer Awards. These honors brought the brewery international acclaim and recognition as a world-class producer.
Another popular choice is Shinto Bakushu, a beer inspired by a long-lost brew once produced in the Kawasaki district of Ise during the Meiji era (1868–1912). Revived to bring a forgotten part of the area’s brewing history back to life, it offers visitors another way to experience the heritage and creativity of Ise.
For travelers exploring Ise, Ise Kadoya Brewery offers a taste of the region that goes beyond its famous shrines and traditional sweets. Its combination of centuries-old hospitality, local heritage, and internationally acclaimed craft beer makes it a distinctive part of Mie Prefecture’s food and drink culture.