Founder Kichisuke Enatsu started manufacturing shochu at the predecessor company, "Kawahigashi Enatsu Shoten," in Kawahigashi, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
"Kirishima" trademark registered
Junkichi Enatsu takes over the family business
at work during the blending process
The company reorganized as KIRISHIMA SHUZO CO., LTD., with Junkichi Enatsu appointed president.
The first well is successfully drilled, and later named Kirishima Rekka-sui.
Junkichi Enatsu proposes the term “Honkaku (authentic) Shochu” for Otsurui shochu at the Kyushu Traditional Shochu Association in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
The headquarters factory is relocated to a new building with a more streamlined manufacturing process.
Kogane-Sengan starts being used as an ingredient for our sweet potato shochu.
Factory is expanded to accommodate increased demand.
Becomes the largest shochu factory in Japan at the time specializing only in honkaku shochu.
・Upgrade of the horizontal still “the Enatsu-type E-II still”
(Upgraded and expanded in 1981)
・Expansion of Koji production facilities
・Introduction of vacuum distiller
Established the "Kirishima Nature Farm" at the foot of the Kirishima Mountains.
Tokyo Branch opened
Barley shochu "Ho" launched
Osaka Branch opened
A new factory building for carton filling is established.
“Kirishima” in cartons launched
Shibita Factory completed
Taking the lead in the industry, the most modern equipment of the time is installed.
70th Anniversary Bottle “Kichisuke” released
Fukuoka Branch opened
Yoriyuki Enatsu is appointed the third president
- 80 years since its founding
Lays out “New Promises” “Corporate Philosophy”, “Management Policy” etc. - Kirinokura Hall is built within Shibita Factory including a oak barrel storehouse and a multipurpose hall.
80th Anniversary Bottle “Kirinokura” launched
Miyazaki Branch opened
“Kirinokura Museum”, a cultural facility within Shibita Factory, is built
“Kuro Kirishima”, an sweet potato honkaku shochu using black koji is exclusively released in Miyazaki prefecture
“Kirinokura Brewery”, a craft beer factory and restaurant within Kirishima Factory Garden is opened.
Sweet potato honkaku shochu “Kuro Kirishima” launched nationwide
The company's original building is moved to the Kirishima Factory Garden and named "Kirishima Memorial Hall KICHISUKE".
Acquires ISO 14001 certification for the Environmental Management System
"Kirishima Festival" is held at the Kirishima Factory Garden (subsequently held twice a year, in spring and autumn).
Official mascots
Kuro Kirishima wins the Outstanding Hit Award in the alcoholic beverage category at the 2002 Hit Food Award.
A shochu lees recycling plant is completed at the Kirishima Factory Garden (Kirishima Recycling Cooperative Association)
"Aka Kirishima" sweet potato honkaku shochu made from purple sweet potato Murasaki-Masari, launched
88th Anniversary Bottle “Kuro Kirishima Genshu” launched
Shibita Expanded Factory is built
Mail order business is started
90th Anniversary Bottle “Junkichi” launched
A shochu lees recycling plant is established within Headquarters Factory.
Spirits "Tochukaso spirits Kin Kirishima" launched
Kirinokura Bakery opens in Kirishima Factory Garden
Spirits "Chaga spirits Kokuho Kirishima" launched
Imo koji shochu “Kichisuke” launched nationwide
Spirits "Astaxanthin spirits Ax Kirishima" launched
Headquarters Expanded Factory built
95th Anniversary Bottle
5 different flavors of spirits "<Gyoku> Kin Kirishima” launched; sweet potato, rice, millet, dates, and corn
Achieves first place in sales in the shochu industry (FY 2012).
*According to Teikoku Databank
"Akane Kirishima" sweet potato honkaku shochu made from orange sweet potato Tama-Akane, launched.
Kirinokura Museum reopens in Kirishima Factory Garden as a comprehensive information hub about sweet potato shochu.
Sweet potato Power Generation business started
Sweet potato honkaku shochu "Shiro Kirishima" launched nationwide
Transitions to a holding company system
Celebrated 100th Anniversary
Sweet potato honkaku shochu" Kirishima ≪Miyazaki limited≫" launched
Sweet potato honkaku shochu "Hyakururi" to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company's founding
KIRISHIMA BEER relaunched
"Kuro Kirishima MELT" launched
Provides honkaku shochu at the Academy Awards celebration (3 consecutive years)
Mail order sales of "Gyokusou" started
Shibita Second Expanded Factory is built and started operations
"Kuro Kirishima EX" launched
"Tokubetsu Joryu Kirishima <Shiro> / <Aka>" launched
"KIRISHIMA WALK FACTORY" opened
"Torafu Kirishima" launched
Facility name changed to "Shochu no Sato Kirishima Factory Garden" along with new logos
"Kirishima Takenoko Kindergarten”, a corporate-run nursery school, opened
Kuro Kirishima wins the Long Seller Award at the 2020 Hit Food Award.
Long Seller Award plaque
Long Seller Award certificate
Special subsidiary company "KIRISHIMA GREEN VILLAGE CO., LTD." established
Relaunch of sweet potato honkaku shochu" Gold Label Kirishima"
“SUZUKIRISHIMA”, a sweet potato honkaku shochu made from sweet potato Suzukogane, launched (Starting in Miyazaki area)
Non-alcoholic "Hakko Amasake Shiro koji" launched
Sweet potato honkaku shochu "Shibitakojo Kuro Kirishima Genshu" launched
Non-alcoholic" KIRISHIMA CRAFT COLA" launched
Spirits "<Gyoku>Kin Kirishima" relaunched
Spirits "Kin Kirishima" "Kuroho Kirishima" "Ax Kirishima" relaunched
“KIRISHIMA No.8”, a sweet potato honkaku shochu made from sweet potato Kirishima 8, launched (Starting in Tokyo Metropolitan area)
"Honkaku Mugi Shochu Kirishima Hororu "
"Honkaku Kome Shochu Kirishima Sururu" launched
Kirishima Sweet Potato Nursery “Imo-Terasu” built and began operation.
Spirits" Kuro Kirishima MELT", "Aka Kirishima MELT" and "Akane Kirishima MELT" are released.
sweet potato honkaku shochu" KIRISHIMA No.8" is released nationwide
Obtained the food safety management system certification standard "FSSC22000"
Launch of Spirits" KIRISHIMA MELT BARLEY 21 years old" and "KIRISHIMA MELT RICE 25 years old"
Kunitake Enatsu was appointed the fourth president.
"KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia," a facility born from a collaboration project between Kirishima Shuzo and Starbucks, has opened.
「新しい約束」(企業スローガン・企業理念・経営方針・考動指針)を改め、企業理念体系「KIRISHIMA COMPASS」(ORIGIN、VISION、MISSION、VALUES) を掲げる
