"The Engine of our Hometown" - Thinking Globally, Acting Locally -

Our president was featured in the October issue of Tekuteku Plus, a lifestyle magazine based in the south of Oita Prefecture.
He talks passionately about sake and Usuki City. The article can be found in the Person ★ Voice section of the magazine. Feel free to pick one up and have a read!

We will be temporarily closed tomorrow morning (September 7) due to typhoon no.10. The typhoon is approaching Kyushu Island and is very strong, hence we have made this decision with our employees’ safety in mind.
All being well, we will reopen at 13:00.

If typhoon No.10 maintains its intensity as predicted, the Japan Meteorological Agency will likely issue a special alert for the storm. As it continues north, there is a risk that the typhoon will pass through Kyushu between September 6 (Sunday) - 7 (Monday)- Japan Meteorological Agency.

 

We are expecting intense wind and rain at Kuge Honten (Usuki City, Oita Prefecture). Therefore, on the morning of Monday 7, we are instructing all employees not to come to work if they feel at risk, or if the typhoon results in damage to their property.
In addition, Yamato Transport has already decided to suspend all collections, deliveries, and operations in Oita Prefecture on the day.
Ordering and deliveries may be delayed until early next week. We would like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience that this situation has caused.

 

In addition, we will continue to process any orders placed from outside the prefecture or through the web-shop until midday today (September 4). We are closed for the weekend, 5-6 September, so if you have an urgent requirement, please order as soon as possible. Again, apologies for any inconvenience.

The Japanese archipelago is experiencing quite a heat wave! How are you all doing?
At Kuge Honten, we are applying for an employment adjustment subsidy (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) from May, for the purpose of maintaining our workforce and overcoming the downturn in business that has come as a result of the effects of the new coronavirus infection.
For this reason, we are giving all of our employees one day off in three, and also closing on Saturdays. We deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

Our employees are facing a difficult task with reduced numbers whilst fighting both the intense heat as well as the restrictions linked to the coronavirus. Issues, such as hydration, air conditioning, ventilation and masks are creating a challenging working environment all whilst trying to provide something similar to “business as usual”.

 

By the time the sunflowers, planted by the factory at the end of July, begin to bloom, we hope that both of these disasters will have subsided.

 

Finally, we would like to thank you all for your continued understanding and kindness.

Recently, it’s common to hear people saying - “I still can’t go travelling!” or “I’m too afraid to take a trip...”. Inspired by these comments, the staff at ANA (All Nippon Airways) have developed a project called “Ouchi de Gotouchi”. “Ouchi de Gotouchi”. which literally means “local to home”, enables people, frustrated by their recent lack of travel, to buy and experience other regions local produce from home. In addition, some companies are also creating warm-hearted local videos to accompany their products. Kuge Honten is also participating in this project.
You can purchase our “Ouchi de Gotouchi” set, consisting of sake, shochu and plum wine. All of the featured products are authentic certified “Usuki Local Products”, created using ingredients produced here in Usuki City.
We also created a Kuge Honten local film that we hope will allow our customers from near and far to experience a little taste of Usuki’s “gotouchi” from their homes.
We want to thank everyone for your continued support and help - whether that be by card or airmiles.(Available until August 20)

Actress, Saki Tachibana, can be seen modelling our shochu, Tsunezo, in the photo. We think it’s a delightfully graceful photo. Taken in the evening, she is dressed in a beautiful Kimono, affectionately holding a bottle of our Tsunezo close to her cheek.

 

She appeared in the creative historical drama, Sorin The Innocent Road, performed at Kuge Honten’s Okura last year.
The show’s creator, Ryosei Kajiwara of DREAMSEEDS[Actors Clinic], is a member of Usuki City’s Regional Development Cooperative. He granted us permission to use the photo.

 

Both the theatre and brewing industries are experiencing difficult times, but we feel the photograph has given us a new energy and a much needed optimism that will get us through to the end of this coronavirus pandemic.

 

As part of the Don’t Lose to Corona! Local Consumption Promotional Campaign, Usuki Chamber of Commerce and Industry have issued a premium gift voucher book (with a rate of 25%) for use with local food a beverages.
“Local production for local consumption”, let’s eat and drink locally in the city and support Usuki businesses. Kuge Honten and Masuya, our antenna shop, are both participating stores.

 

Release date: Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

 

Where to buy: You can purchase the vouchers at any of the following Usuki City Post Offices - Shitanoe, Usuki Seaside, Otomari, Usuki Tsuji, Minamitsuru, Sashiu, Kumasaki, Usukihirasouzu, Usuki.

 

Time: 9am-5pm
*In addition there will be a limited sale of 2000 books at Usuki City Hall from 9am, July 19 (Sold on a strictly first come, first served basis).

 

Valid from: Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Expires: Thursday, January 14, 2021

 

Price: \10,000 for a \13,000 value book of vouchers (26 x \500 vouchers [19 common, 6 limited). The maximum purchase limit is 5 books (50,000 yen) per person.
At the time of purchase, you must confirm that you are over 15 years old, and an Usuki resident or someone who commutes to Usuki City for work or study.

 

Total issued: \450 million.

Usuki Sake Brewery Shopping Bus Tour brought guests to our antenna shop, Masuya.
The visitors purchased lots of our products. We are very grateful and would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
The goal of the bus tour is to support local sake breweries, not only in Usuki City, but all over Oita Prefecture, that have been struggling due to the new coronavirus infection.
We would like to thank all the participants, and everyone involved for their effort.

They are supporting the breweries in Oita prefecture, which are suffering from poor performance due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection.
All of our employees received a lot of encouragement, and we feel more motivated. Thank you very much.

 

As part of the Don’t Lose to Corona! Local Consumption Promotional Campaign, Usuki Chamber of Commerce and Industry have issued a premium gift voucher book (with a rate of 30%).
Let’s eat and drink locally to support Usuki restaurants affected by the new coronavirus infection.

 

Release date: Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

 

Where to buy: You can purchase the vouchers at any of the following Usuki City Post Offices - Shitanoe, Usuki Seaside, Otomari, Usuki Tsuji, Minamitsuru, Sashiu, Kumasaki, Usukihirasouzu, Usuki.

 

Time: 9am-5pm
*In addition there will be a limited sale of 1000 books at Usuki City Hall from 9am, July 5 (Sold on a strictly first come, first served basis).

 

Valid from: Wednesday, July 1, 2020

 

Expires: Thursday, December 31, 2020

 

Price: \10,000 for a \13,000 value book of vouchers (26 x \500 vouchers [19 common, 6 limited). The maximum purchase limit is 3 books (\30,000) per person.
At the time of purchase, you must confirm that you are over 15 years old, and an Usuki resident or someone who commutes to Usuki City for work or study.

 

Total issued: \117 million.