In 1820, the third year of the Bunsei era, the first generation of the family, Kita Gizaemon, began brewing sake in Yokaichi, on the Kotō Plain of Ōmi Province, a region known for its abundant harvest of Ōmi rice. At that time, the family business was called Tenmaya, and they purchased rice from nearby farmers to brew sake. Since then, the family has continued the sake brewing business for generations. The brand name "Kirakuchō" was chosen with the hope that customers would enjoy drinking sake, feel happy and joyful, and live long lives.