The predecessor of Yaesu was established in 1950 to sell Akita Prefecture sake in the Tokyo market. Nishuhan initiated it and began as a unified brand of 10 sake breweries in the prefecture. Named after Yaesu, where the main office in Tokyo is located, the 'Su' (洲) in Yaesu was replaced with the celebratory character 'Su' (寿) to form 'Yaesu'.