Hirase Sake Brewery was founded in 1623 (Genwa 9) in Takayama, a town that flourished as a merchant town, and has been a part of the town's history. They use mellow underground water from the Northern Alps and sake rice grown in Hida to make sake. Their signature brand is Kusudama, which comes from the "medicinal balls" that are displayed at celebratory occasions. This brewery has been loved by locals for a long time.