Founded in 1871 (Meiji 4), the sake's name, "Gokyo," is derived from the Kintaikyo Bridge, a five-arched bridge spanning the Nishiki River. In the spring of 1947 (Showa 22), at a time when hard water brewing was prevalent, its soft water brewing method earned it first place at the National New Sake Appraisal Competition, attracting the attention of those involved. Since then, it has been a beloved sake representing Yamaguchi Prefecture. Based on the belief of "doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well," and committed to using local rice, water, and people to be a "local sake of Yamaguchi Prefecture," this sake is characterized by its refined and aromatic quality, typical of soft water brewing.