CONCEPT

Our Vision


Capturing the Land's Memory in Scent, from Fukushima to the World

At naturadistill, we aim to distill local resources, encapsulate the memory of the land in its fragrance, and craft gins that deliver these experiences to the world.

We believe that a single glass of gin can carry the memory of a place far and wide, drawing people to discover the land through its aroma, connecting them with others, and weaving the future of the region.

With such possibilities infused into our gins, we deliver them from Fukushima to the world.

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    Fukushima, and indeed Japan as a whole,
    still holds a wealth of untapped charm.

    The everyday landscapes we see,
    The unnamed plants at our feet,

    These seemingly ordinary things,
    may actually be unique to "this very place" in the world.

    By taking a fresh look at and putting effort into
    the things we encounter daily,
    they can become something "the world can be proud of."

    　

    We aim for such craftsmanship.

STORY

The Distillery's Beginning

Naturadistill began with a thought from its representative, Ms. Oshima.
"I want to overturn Fukushima's image."
Not with logic, but with "sensibility."
With the surprise and emotion of "delicious" and "good aroma."

  • November 2024: "naturadistill Kawauchi Distillery" to Open in Kawauchi Village, Fukushima Prefecture

    From Fukushima to the world, to deliver the charm of the land,

    we will begin producing gin, a distilled spirit.

    "Distilled spirits have no expiration date."

    "You can freely bottle the aroma of botanicals."

    We are raising support through crowdfunding,

    and will open a distillery converted from a former pharmacy warehouse.

KAWAUCHI

About Kawauchi Village

Kawauchi Village, surrounded by mountains with clean air and water,
retains the charm and lifestyle of a traditional mountain village.

  • It is located approximately 240km in a straight line from Tokyo.
    Situated in the central-western part of Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture,
    it is a nature-rich highland area at the foot of the Abukuma Mountains.

    During the earthquake and tsunami, the entire village was evacuated,
    and it remains a pioneering region facing challenges such as ongoing population decline.
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  • The Only Village in Fukushima Prefecture Without Water Supply and Sewerage

    Kawauchi Village, where all households rely on pumped groundwater for their daily lives.

    The forests, which cover 80% of the village's area, nurture this pristine groundwater,

    and this blessing of groundwater is also utilized in the production of gin.
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    The image of our endemic spirit was taken at the Sennogawa River, the "sacred place" of naturadistill.

BOTANICAL

About endemic plants


Endemic Plants: Ingredients for Creating Unique Japanese Scents

"Endemic species" refers to a species of organism that has inhabited a specific land or environment since ancient times.

Japan, being an island nation with a long north-south stretch and variations in altitude, is home to many endemic plant species.

At naturadistill, we focus on Japan's endemic plants, using them as botanicals—the aromatic ingredients in distilled spirits.

By deliberately choosing endemic plants, which have low yields and require significant effort to harvest, we create a unique flavor profile unlike any other.

  • About the endemic species "Kaya Nut"

    Key Botanicals that Create a Unique Character for naturadistill

  • A native Japanese plant

    that combines the coniferous, pine-resin-like scent

    with the refreshing aroma of citrus.

    　

    It is the main botanical in our gin,

    and the source of the refreshing citrus aroma you taste when you drink our gin.

    　

    Origin: Fukushima Prefecture

    (Kawauchi Village, Yabuki Town, Koriyama City, Tamura City, Minamisoma City, Koori Town)

  • Torreya nucifera (kaya) used to grow wild in gardens and other areas around private homes throughout Japan,

    but its numbers drastically decreased due to logging after the Meiji era, and with almost no reforestation,

    it is now said to be on the verge of extinction.

    　

    However, as we conducted our research,

    we discovered that many torreya trees grow wild in Fukushima Prefecture.

  • It's not cultivated,

    but grows wild in the Satoyama of Kawauchi Village

    and the surrounding areas – this is "Kaya" (Japanese torreya).

    From harvesting to sorting,

    everything is done by hand.

    　

    It takes time and effort,

    but for us,

    it's one of the important tasks that connects us with nature.

    　

    The harvest is carried out with local residents and customers,

    creating a place for interaction.

  • "Kaya" trees grow very slowly,

    taking 300 years to reach full maturity.

    　

    Slowly.

    But steadily.

    　

    With the future 300 years from now in mind,

    we want to walk alongside the "kaya."

    It is with these thoughts that we named it.

製造

About Manufacturing


Carefully distilled using Kawauchi Village's pristine water and carefully selected ingredients, combining traditional and modern distillation techniques.

A delicate process is followed to maximize the natural aroma of the botanicals.

  • A custom-made domestic stainless steel still, rare in the world, capable of both vacuum and atmospheric distillation

    We use vacuum distillation, which allows the boiling point to be adjusted within the range of approximately 20-78℃.

    Lowering the boiling point enables distillation at lower temperatures,
    preventing the decomposition of heat-sensitive aroma components, suppressing off-flavors,
    and bringing out a fruity and light taste and aroma.

  • Each type is distilled individually, and then the respective new-make spirits are blended later.


    Typically, several botanicals are distilled together,

    but to maximize the aroma of each botanical,

    our distillery distills each botanical individually using the optimal distillation method for that botanical,

    and then blends them afterward.

VISION

The Future Envisioned by Naturadistill Kawauchi Village Distillery


Using Scent as the Core, Branding the Entire Region

  • "From Fukushima to the World: A Scented Journey"

    "Establishing Regional Brands Based on Local Culture and Resources"

    Even a village of 2,000 people can connect with the world.

    A future where scents connect people and places.

会社概要

Company Profile


Company Name: Kokage Inc.

Established: 2022

CEO: Sota Oshima

Location: 396-2 Machibun, Oaza Kamikawauchi, Kawauchi Village, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture

Wholesale inquiries here