● About Iio Jozo
Founded in 1893 in Tango, Kyoto—a region known as "Kyoto by the Sea"—Iio Jozo crafts premium vinegar using traditional "static fermentation" (seichi hakko) with pesticide-free, sustainably grown rice.
Our flagship product is "Pure Rice Fuji Vinegar."
Additionally, our "Fuji Vinegar Premium," celebrated for its mild acidity and rich umami flavor, is highly acclaimed and widely used by top-tier sushi restaurants both in Japan and internationally.
● Key Characteristics of Fuji Vinegar
1. A Traditional Crafting Process Spanning Over Two Years
We proudly preserve the time-honored Japanese method of vinegar production, where we first brew sake from our own rice and then ferment that sake into vinegar.
From the cultivation of the raw rice to the final product, the entire process takes more than two full years.
Our vinegar is made using a traditional technique called "static fermentation" (seichi hakko).
In this natural process, acetic acid bacteria on the surface of the liquid slowly convert the alcohol into vinegar over a period of 80 to 120 days.
While this method requires substantial time, labor, and the honed intuition of master brewers, it allows the acetic acid and water to harmonize perfectly, resulting in a remarkably mellow flavor rich in umami.
Once fermentation is complete, the vinegar is moved to an aging cellar to mature at a deliberate pace.
During this period, the vinegar is not merely left untouched; it is carefully transferred from tank to tank multiple times.
Exposing the liquid to air through at least five of these transfers gives the final vinegar an even smoother, more well-rounded flavor profile.
2. Made Exclusively with Pesticide-Free Rice
We use only pesticide-free rice grown in high-altitude terraced paddies, ensuring that agricultural chemicals from neighboring fields do not wash into our water supply.
Our journey with pesticide-free rice cultivation began in the 1960s.
After witnessing the widespread use of highly toxic pesticides in rice farming at the time, our third-generation president set out with a clear vision: "To craft delicious vinegar using safe, high-quality ingredients."
Today, we continue to cultivate pesticide-free rice through both our contract farmers and our own estate.
To support the contract farmers who grow our essential raw ingredients, Iio Jozo implements the following initiatives:
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Purchasing farming equipment and select materials on behalf of the farmers to reduce their financial burden.
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Buying the harvested rice at a higher premium than standard agricultural cooperatives (JA).
Furthermore, by continuing to cultivate rice in these rural hillsides (satoyama), we actively contribute to preserving Japan’s traditional and breathtaking landscape of terraced rice paddies.
● How to Purchase Fujisu Vinegar
If you live outside of Japan, you can purchase Fuji Vinegar from this online store through a proxy shopping service.
Please refer to the article below for step-by-step instructions.
