Established in 1917 with 175 shareholders from seven

villages in the Hanaizumi region, Iwanoi was founded as a publicly-owned local company with the aim of preventing illegal production of doburoku (unrefined sake) and providing winter employment opportunities for local farmers. 

Today, it continues to thrive with 181 shareholders, mainly from Hanaizumi Town. Unlike many sake breweries, it  operates as a community-owned enterprise rather than a family-run business. Iwate Prefecture is renowned as the birthplace of the Nanbu Toji, the largest association of master brewers in Japan, which remains highly active to this day.

https://www.iwanoi.co.jp/