Careers
To preserve the culture and character of this region, and to share the appeal of this land through local sake.
At Tomita Shuzo, we believe that these commitments—
alongside the pursuit of outstanding, delicious sake—
are an essential part of what it means to be a sake brewery.
Sake encompasses many dimensions: culture, tradition, community, and food.
We are seeking individuals who recognize both its enduring appeal and its future potential, and who wish to walk this path together with Tomita Shuzo. In addition to full-time positions, we also welcome applications for seasonal employment during the brewing season, as well as part-time positions.
As a Brewery Rooted in the Land
At Tomita Shuzo, the brewing of Shichihonyari is guided by an unwavering commitment to place.
We work with sake rice grown by local farmers, and underground spring water from the Ibuki mountain range, drawn from our own well within the brewery. For nearly five hundred years, we have continued to brew sake here in Kinomoto.
The history, climate, and culture of this land—
everything that surrounds our brewery and our craft—
are reflected in our sake as an expression of Kohoku itself.
By engaging sincerely with the rice, the water, and the land that nurtures them,
we strive to create sake that draws out the full depth of their inherent character.
From Shiga and Kohoku, where our origins are firmly rooted, we seek to share these values widely
—throughout Japan and beyond, across the world
—reaching as many people as possible.
We do not believe that sake brewing alone defines the role of a brewery. Japanese tradition and culture; local rituals and history; inherited foodways; historic buildings and landscapes; and the enduring relationship with nature that sustains rice and water— all of these form part of the world that surrounds sake.
In an age when new and convenient things emerge one after another, we believe that within the practices surrounding sake lie many values that must not be lost. To re-examine these values and carry them forward to the next generation is an essential part of our work.
As a brewery rooted in its community, we seek to preserve what should be preserved, while boldly challenging what must evolve. Holding these two forces in balance, we move forward.
Open Positions
Sake Brewing
●Full-Time Position
Responsibilities
During the brewing season, you will be engaged in all aspects of Japanese sake production at the brewery, including:
rice handling, washing and steaming rice; koji making; fermentation management; analysis; sake lees processing; filtration; and bottling.
Outside the brewing season, duties include brewery maintenance, product labeling, sake lees packing, shipping, and deliveries.
Participation in tastings, events, and—when appropriate—work in the rice fields may also be required.
Days Off
105 days per year (shift-based)
- Brewing season (winter): approximately 1.5 days off per week
- Off-season (summer): 2–3 days off per week
- Obon and New Year holidays included
Compensation
Annual salary: JPY 3,000,000 – 7,000,000
Salary increases and bonuses are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
●︎Seasonal Employment
Responsibilities
You will assist with Japanese sake production at the brewery, including: rice handling, washing and steaming rice; koji making; fermentation management; analysis; sake lees processing; filtration; and bottling.
Depending on operational needs, you may also be involved in product labeling, packing, shipping, and deliveries.
Employment Period
Negotiable (minimum commitment: one month)
Working Hours
9:00–18:00
At least 2 days per week, minimum 4 hours per day (negotiable)
Wage
From JPY 1,150 per hour
Wage increases are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
●︎Half Farming / Half Brewing
From October to March, you will take part in sake brewing. From April to September, you will be engaged in rice farming.This role offers the opportunity to be involved in the full cycle of Japanese sake—from rice cultivation to brewing.
Please contact us for further details.
*Farming work will be carried out with our partner farmer, Okome no Yagura.
*Interviews with both Okome no Yagura and Tomita Shuzo are required.
●︎Part-Time (Assistant)
Responsibilities
During the brewing season, you will assist with sake production at the brewery, including:
rice handling, washing and steaming rice; koji making; fermentation management; analysis; sake lees processing; filtration; and bottling.
Outside the season, duties include maintenance, labeling, packing, shipping, and deliveries.
Working Hours
9:00–17:00
At least 2 days per week, minimum 4 hours per day (negotiable)
Wage
From JPY 1,150 per hour
Wage increases are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
Retail Sales & Office Operations
●︎Full-Time Position
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for customer service and administrative operations
at Tomita Shuzo’s on-site retail shop.
Duties include front-of-house customer service, product display and store operations,
as well as administrative work related to customer and business orders, including order processing and shipping coordination.
Days Off
105 days per year (shift-based)
- Busy season (winter): approximately 1.5 days off per week
- Off-season (summer): 2 days off per week
- New Year holidays included
Compensation
Annual salary: JPY 3,000,000 – 5,000,000
Salary increases and bonuses are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
●︎Part-Time
Responsibilities
You will assist with customer service and administrative operations at Tomita Shuzo’s on-site retail shop.
Duties include front-of-house customer service, product display and store operations, as well as administrative work related to order processing and shipping.
Working Hours
9:00–18:00
At least 2 days per week, minimum 4 hours per day (negotiable)
Wage
From JPY 1,080 per hour
Weekends and public holidays: from JPY 1,300 per hour (conditions apply)
Wage increases are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
Shipping, Distribution & Delivery
●︎Full-Time Position
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for product management, labeling, packing, shipping,
and delivery operations at our distribution warehouse.
Days Off
105 days per year (shift-based)
- Busy season (winter): approximately 1.5 days off per week
- Off-season (summer): 2 days off per week
- Obon and New Year holidays included
Compensation
Annual salary: JPY 3,000,000 – 5,000,000
Salary increases and bonuses are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
●Part-Time
Responsibilities
You will assist with product management, labeling, packing, shipping,
and delivery operations at our distribution warehouse.
Working Hours
9:00–17:00
At least 2 days per week, minimum 4 hours per day (negotiable)
Wage
From JPY 1,080 per hour
Wage increases are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
Labeling & Packing
●Part-Time
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for labeling and packing products at our distribution warehouse.
Working Hours
9:00–17:00
At least 2 days per week, minimum 4 hours per day (negotiable)
Wage
From JPY 1,080 per hour
Wage increases are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
●Short-Term Part-Time
Responsibilities
You will assist with packing sake lees at our head office, as well as labeling and packing products at the distribution warehouse.
Employment Period
From November to around April, for one month or longer (negotiable)
Working Hours
9:00–17:00
At least 2 days per week, minimum 4 hours per day (negotiable)
Wage
From JPY 1,080 per hour
Wage increases are determined based on company performance and individual ability.
Common Benefits
- No prior experience required
- Commuting by car permitted (parking available)
- Full social insurance coverage
(health insurance, pension, workers’ compensation, employment insurance) - Employee discount on our products
- Paid leave available in half-day units
- Housing allowance available (conditions apply)
- Assistance with finding traditional houses for those relocating (subject to availability)
- Applicants must be non-smokers.
About Relocation
Many of our team members joined us with no prior experience in sake brewing, transitioning from a wide range of industries.
We also welcome people who relocate from across Japan, including Hokkaido, Saitama, Osaka, Aichi, and other regions.
For those moving from outside the area, we may be able to assist in introducing traditional houses, depending on availability.
Kinomoto is a community with a long history of welcoming newcomers, including participants in regional revitalization programs. With a supportive local atmosphere and strong community ties, it is a place where those relocating can feel at ease as they begin a new chapter.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to the address below.
In your cover letter, please tell us about your interest in working at Tomita Shuzo and why you would like to join our team.
Applications will be reviewed, and we will contact selected candidates at a later date.
Application Materials Mailing Address
Tomita Shuzo Inc.
Attn: Recruitment
1107 Kinomoto, Kinomoto-cho, Nagahama-shi Shiga 529-0425 Japan