Since days of old, Fushimi has been blessed with high-quality ground water, scenic surroundings, and convenient location. As a sake brewing area, Fushimi became popular during the 16^th century when the famed Shogun, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose to have his castle established on one of the mountains of the panoramic Momoyama range. The Fushimi area soon became a flourishing “castle town” and sake brewers found themselves not only the perfect water for brewing but also a thriving market of consumers. Fushimi's location became all the more attractive as developments in water transport systems made it possible to ship cargo by river between Kyoto and Osaka. It was in this backdrop that Gekkeikan's founder, Jiemon Okura established his sake brewery in 1637.

Near the Okura Sake Museum are many interesting buildings which date as early as the late Edo Period (19^th century).