Sake Brands
in Aichi

"Nagoya-jo Honmaru Goten" is a brand created to commemorate the restoration completion of the Honmaru Palace of Nagoya Castle, a special historic site symbolizing the history and pride of Nagoya. Kintora Shuzo, located in the castle town area, expressed the luxurious aesthetic sense of that era through the form of sake. Characterized by high dignity and an elegant, gorgeous flavor, it is an ideal drop that allows you to taste Nagoya's traditional culture with all five senses, perfect as a souvenir or a gift for someone special.

"Kintora" is the principal brand of Kintora Shuzo that has protected its founding traditions. The name originates from the "Golden Dolphins (Kinshachi) of Nagoya Castle" and the "birth year of the 3rd generation (Year of the Tiger)," and it has walked alongside the city of Nagoya since long ago. Characterized by a mellow flavor that maximizes the umami of rice through handmade techniques inherited from Echigo Toji. As a precious local sake brewed in the urban area of Nagoya, it boasts familiarity and stable quality, essential for local residents' lives and celebrations.

"Sachimusume" was one of the representative local sakes of Chita District, once brewed by Nomura Shuzo. Named with the wish that happiness reaches the drinker, it supported local tables with its simple and warm flavor. Due to the closure of the brewery, it is no longer newly produced, but the peace and joy that a single cup once brought remain as precious memories in the hearts of those who loved it at the time.

"Odai no Mai" is a brand created to honor Lady Odai, the mother of Tokugawa Ieyasu and a historic heroine of Higashiura-cho. Using locally grown eco-friendly rice and traditional techniques like steaming in cedar koshiki, it is carefully brewed with commitment. Characterized by a gentle throat-feel and pure aftertaste that evokes a mother's affection. It is a heart-warming drop filled with pride and gratitude for local history, suitable for celebrations and souvenirs.

"Ikujii" is the soulful sake brand that has supported the founding of Harada Shuzo. Its name originates from a legendary well near the brewery where Prince Yamato Takeru is said to have stopped during his eastern expedition. Like the well water that has survived long history, it features a flavor that combines strength with a dignified refreshingness. Adhering to the belief in traditional "handmade" methods, it is a masterpiece where one can enjoy a profound yet sharp umami, conveying the land's history and the brewer's passion with every sip.

"Heishu-san" is a brand created with respect for Hosoi Heishu, a Confucian scholar from Higashiura-cho known as the teacher of Uesugi Yozan, the famous lord of the Yonezawa Domain. Heishu's teaching of "starting with what is around you" is expressed in the form of sincere sake brewing rooted in the local community. Characterized by an intellectual, refreshing aroma and a consistent, clean aftertaste. It is a deep flavor to be enjoyed leisurely while thinking of the aspirations of the great man the region is proud of.

"Koromogaura Wakamizu" is a masterpiece of local production for local consumption, concentrating the rich blessings of Aichi. Named after "Kinuura Bay," which Higashiura-cho faces, and using 100% of the prefecture's sake rice "Wakamizu." Brewed only with local water and rice, its taste truly embodies "true local sake." It features a simple yet sturdy umami of rice and a calmly spreading refreshing flavor. It delivers the luxury of tasting the local terroir itself to your table.

"Kankun" is a representative brand of Maruichi Shuzo, released with the wish to create "sake that earns a crown-like medal." As proven by its astounding achievement of 8 consecutive gold medals at the Annual Japan Sake Awards, its perfection is extremely highly regarded. Characterized by a rich umami and vivid throat-feel born from high-quality Agui rice and clear subsoil water. It is a supreme masterpiece condensing the passion of the brewers, truly worthy of the name "medal" (Kun).

"Tomiyoshi" was the flagship brand of Uchida Shuzo, which was familiar to local people in the former Chita District. With a simple yet deep flavor that evoked the gentle climate of the Chita Peninsula, it brightened local tables and festive occasions. Currently, it is no longer possible to see this brand due to the brewery's closure, but as an important brand carved into the brewing history of Chita, its name is still passed down among local sake lovers.

"Toyota Masamune" is a brand filled with love for the region, born in 1959 to celebrate the historic turning point of Toyota City's renaming. Using the blessings of the Yahagi River, carefully polished rice, and low-temperature fermentation, it brings out a solid rice umami within a crisp, light mouthfeel. Characterized by a slightly dry profile and delicate aroma, its refined flavor that pairs well with any dish is its charm. It is a proud drop representing the local area, continuing to walk alongside the city of Toyota.

"Shikishima" is a moving brand that has achieved a miraculous revival after a long sleep of 21 years. With history and pride as a brewery once praised as the "Yokozuna" rank and the largest in the Chubu region, it has been breathed back to life through mineral-rich local well water and the tireless challenge of the 9th generation head, Yu Ito. Its true essence lies in the powerful rice umami followed by a clean and crisp finish that gracefully disappears. Not just following tradition, it is starting to carve a new legend, aiming for a sake that is called the most delicious in the current era.

"Hatsuyumezakura" is a historical masterpiece that inherits the soul of Amano Shuzo, founded in 1848 at the end of the Edo period. In Kamezaki, where the tradition of brewing lives on, craftsmen converse with each grain of rice, and the flavor produced only through manual work is the very embodiment of the Chita terroir. True to its pure name suitable for the New Year, an elegant aroma and graceful umami spread in the mouth. Inheriting the feelings of past fans and continuing to evolve, this traditional drop still gorgeously brightens the tables of many people in local Handa.

"Owari Otokoyama" is a representative brand of Owari, infused without stint with the traditional techniques of Morita, which has over 350 years of history. Bearing the name "Otokoyama," which echoes across the country, it balances a strength reminiscent of heroic tales with a clean and clear finish. Its lineup, including Daiginjo, has long been cherished as a sake for celebratory occasions and as a drink that pairs well with daily meals. It is a proud flavor of Owari where tradition and dignity reside.

"Nagomizakura" is a brand of Morita, as its name suggests, with the wish to be a sake that relaxes people's hearts and gently stays by them, like the cherry blossoms that symbolize Japanese spring. Utilizing the superior techniques of the prestigious company also renowned for miso and soy sauce brewing, it achieves a calm and soft mouthfeel. Its delicately spreading umami evokes the gorgeousness and comfort of a cherry blossom viewing banquet. It is a healing drink that adds color to daily tables and calmly presents time with loved ones.

"Morita" is a brand bearing the brewery's own name, the culmination of over 350 years of tradition and trust. With the unique background of being the birthplace of Akio Morita, the founder of the world-famous Sony, they have always pursued the highest quality. This sake, infused with the passion for brewing protected by the family, pursues the plump inherent umami of rice to the extreme. Every time you drink it, you feel the weight of history and the breath of innovation leading to the future. It is a bottle full of dignity and harmony worthy of a prestigious company, loved across generations.

"Kanzaru" is a unique brand of Sawada Shuzo that demonstrates its true value when served warm ("kan"), as its name suggests. It evokes scenes of enjoying warm sake around a hearth or dining table in the severe cold of Chita. By warming it, the sweetness and umami of the rice expand more richly, and the compatibility with bean miso dishes is outstanding. It is a drink that can be called "exclusive for warm sake," providing a relaxing moment that loosens your heart, much like a monkey blissfully soaking in a hot spring.

"Raku-no-yo" (World of Joy) is a brand that goes to the extreme of "rich and savory flavor" that you will never forget once you taste it. It features an overwhelming sense of body, with a juicy aroma reminiscent of pineapple layered with sweet and sour notes like honey-lemon. The powerful acid from the Yamahai-jikomi method tightens the whole, creating a magic-like crispness that invites the next sip despite its richness. Its robust personality, which makes you feel a "rough-cut aesthetic," is truly a new-generation craft sake that brings joy (raku) to the drinker.

"Hoteino-no-Hoteisama" is named after the local Hotei district in Konan City, where the brewery is located, and the god of fortune among the Seven Lucky Gods. This sake, infused with prayers for regional prosperity, is characterized by the powerful and robust umami unique to Honjozo Genshu (undiluted sake). Its dignified flavor brewed with Kiso River subsoil water pairs outstandingly with richly seasoned local dishes, making it a locally-rooted sake that feels like it brings good fortune with every sip.

"Komakiyama" is a brand that bears the name of the historical site where Oda Nobunaga built his first castle. Reflecting the ambition of the warlord who dreamed of unifying the country, its flavor, brewed with the subsoil water of the Kiso River, possesses both strength and a dignified elegance. The solid umami produced by traditional techniques is an expression of respect for the history and culture of Owari. It is a blissful drink associated with the warlord, harmonizing with Aichi's rich food culture and loved across time.

"Hoshizakari" is the flagship brand bearing the name of the brewery "Yamaboshi," infused with a wish for prosperity like a first-magnitude star shining in the night sky. Its hallmark is a crisp umami nurtured by the subsoil water of the Kiso River and the cold "Ibuki-oroshi" winds. Noteworthy is its challenging brewing using a unique "Wisteria Flower Yeast" born from the flowers of the Mandaraji Temple in Konan. Its elegant personality, cloaked in floral fragrance, is a festive ultimate local sake that fuses regional climate and brewery passion.

"Koyumitsuru" is a precious brand nurtured by the climate of the National Treasure Inuyama Castle and over 40 years of time. Its pinnacle, "Kohakusui" (Amber Drunk), is made from the finest Yamada Nishiki rice brewed with the Yamahai method and aged over an eternal span of 20+ years. Its brilliant amber color and noble, mellow aroma reminiscent of dried fruits make it a masterpiece truly worthy of being called the "Art of Time." Its deep flavor, as if telling the history of the castle town, continues to fascinate people all over the world who love aged sake.

"Toyo Jiman" is a brand that embodies the grand dream of brewing the most proud sake in the East. Its flavor, woven from the traditional "Yamahai-jikomi" and the subsoil water of the Kiso River, possesses a truly dignified style. In particular, the "Junmai Inuyamajo," which bears the name of a historical site, is attractive for its refreshing and gentle mouthfeel thanks to long-term ice-temperature fermentation. It is a blissful drink that makes you feel the elegance of the castle town, Inuyama, with a harmony of depth brought by the finest Yamada Nishiki in a clean, dry taste.

"Kinginka" is a proud local sake of Ichinomiya City, bearing an auspicious name symbolizing good fortune and health. Its character, crafted by female brewers, is as fruity and elegant as a white wine. The charm lies in the exquisite balance where the plump umami of rice is pleasantly tightened by sharp acidity. Harmonizing with the chic culture of Ichinomiya, which flourished through the textile industry, it is a versatile masterpiece that adds color to any meal, from delicate Japanese cuisine to gorgeous Western dishes.

"Kikutaka" (Chrysanthemum Hawk) is a limited-distribution masterpiece brewed with the soul of Fujiichi Shuzo. Bearing the elegance of the Japanese flower "Chrysanthemum" and the strength of the "Hawk" soaring in the sky, this sake was once called "phantom sake" due to its rarity. Its flavor, nurtured by the traditional techniques of the Nanbu Toji and Inazawa's clear water resources, is precise and mellow. It is a masterpiece that sake enthusiasts covet, possessing overwhelming quality and a noble style worthy of gracing the table on a special day.

"Kotobuki" (Bishu Kotobuki) is an auspicious sake nurtured by the land of Owari and Inazawa, bearing the name "Kotobuki" (celebration/longevity). Carrying the alias "Bishu" for Owari Province, it has been loved since the Edo and Meiji periods as a sake that colors regional banquets and special occasions. The mellow and deep umami produced by Fujiichi Shuzo's traditional methods brings joy worthy of a cheerful gathering. It is a masterpiece of celebration, harmonizing with Japanese cuisine in general and appreciated as a gift.