Repressive effects of the heartwood and sapwood of Japanese cedar, and hinoki cypress on the growth of hiochi bacteria Lactcbacillus fermentum, L. hornohiochii , and L. heterohiochii were investigated. The heartwood of Japanese cedar steeped in sake repressed the growth of hiochi bacteria at 25°C more markedly than the others. The growth was repressed depending on the amount of the heartwood in sake, and the effect was larger with increasing amount of heartwood. It was suggested that some growth-repressing substances on hiochi bacteria are present in the heartwood of Japanese cedar.