Most hydrogen is derived from fossil fuels. Therefore, more environmentally friendly methods for hydrogen production have been investigated. The present report describes a hot compressed water (HCW) pretreatment to increase hydrogen production using sake lees, which is an industrial waste of sake production. The inoculum is obtained from treated biogas slurry. The temperatures of HCW are 130 (0.3 MPa), 150 (0.5 MPa), and 180 degrees C (0.8 MPa) for 15-120 min. Gas production was analyzed using gas chromatography; fermentation liquid analyses were performed using HPLC. The modified Gompertz model was used to determine hydrogen potential, lag time, and production rate. Results show an increase in the degradation of sake lees with longer holding time and higher temperature. Total sugar and organic acids also are influenced by HCW pretreatment. The maximum hydrogen yield was obtained at 130 degrees C for 60 min with the result 112.07 mL H-2/g COD. The HCW pretreatment successfully decreased the lag phase of biohydrogen production and increased the degree of acidification. Clostridium butyricum, C. acetobutylicum, and other Clostridium sp. were identified in all samples, while Pantoea agglomerans was detected in two samples. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.