Shiragiku Shuzo was founded in 1886 by Kotaro Watanabe, initially operating under the founder’s family name. From its early days, the brewery became known for its signature sake, Shiragiku—Japanese for “white chrysanthemum.” The name reflects a local seasonal connection: the sake traditionally reaches its ideal maturity around the same time chrysanthemums come into bloom in autumn, when the flowers are particularly abundant around the brewery.

Okayama Prefecture’s mild climate and favorable growing conditions make it one of Japan’s important rice-growing regions. Local breweries such as Shiragiku therefore place a strong emphasis on rice varieties associated with the area. Prestigious varieties such as Yamada Nishiki and Omachi thrive in Okayama, while regional varieties including Asahi, Miki Nishiki, Akihikari, and Akebono also play an important role in the local sake-making tradition.