Sake Brands
in Akita

Named after the nobility of Akita's sacred Mt. Taihei, this flagship brand has earned numerous awards at domestic and international competitions since its Meiji-era debut. Its defining feature is the "Taiheizan-style Kimoto," a scientific reconstruction of traditional brewing. Using a bold "drill mashing" technique, it extracts maximum rice umami while achieving a sharp, polished finish. The soft mouthfeel from Shirakami spring water and the rich lingering finish make it a supreme work of art, a crystalization of Akita's grand nature and the passion of its brewers.

Named after the legendary birthplace of Ono no Komachi, this flagship brand of Kimura Shuzo carries wishes for luck (Fuku) and beauty. The mellow richness produced by 400 years of tradition and abundant spring water has captivated people's hearts for centuries. With the prestigious title of "World's Best" at IWC, its elegant flavor embodying Akita's terroir is truly a masterpiece worthy of its name.

Carrying a name that means "Becoming from one white water (rice)," Ippakusuisei is the flagship brand of Fukurokuju Shuzo, embodying a pure and sincere commitment to brewing. The sake is a perfect harmony of world-class techniques refined as part of NEXT5 and the umami of rice nurtured by Gojome's rich soil. With a vibrant aroma that overflows from the glass and a powerful yet elegant acidity, this brand redefines Akita's local sake, radiating a brilliance that captivates fans across Japan and beyond.

Carrying a warm wish for longevity—"to live to one hundred with this sake"—Tenju is the flagship brand cherished since the brewery's inception. The powerful calligraphy on the label is taken from the ancient Diamond Sutra, reflecting its 200-year history. Using carefully selected in-house rice and Mt. Chokai's sacred spring water, it achieves ultimate stability and transparency. Its elegant umami, drawn out through low-temperature long-term fermentation, and clean finish gracefully accompany celebrations, loved as a "sake of happiness" that connects generations.

The flagship brand of Suzuki Shuzoten, carrying over 300 years of tradition since being praised as "excellently good" by the Lord of Akita. Deeply understanding local food culture, its quality focuses on enhancing dishes, balancing the pure umami of in-house polished rice with a clean, crisp finish. A long-time favorite in Akita, this trusted masterpiece delivers its "excellent quality" directly to anyone from the very first sip.

Akita's most iconic brand, Takashimizu is beloved nationwide as the quintessential daily sake for casual enjoyment. Crafted with ultra-soft water from the sacred Takashimizu well, it offers a soft mouthfeel with balanced acidity and elegant umami. With premium Akita rice, water, and mastery in perfect harmony, this classic sake never tires the palate and defines the standard for Akita quality.

Named after a thatched-roof cottage in Akita's snowy landscape, this is the flagship brand representing Saiya Shuzoten. By strictly following the "Three No's" (San-nai-zukuri) method, they capture the natural breath of in-house yeast in a bottle, achieving ultimate purity with profound depth. Its silky mouthfeel and elegant aroma evoke a quiet nostalgia for the snow country, making it a masterpiece where modernity and tradition harmonize into a treasure of Akita.

Named after a poetic scene of the autumn harvest, Kariho is the flagship brand that most vividly reflects the brewery's spirit. Brewed entirely with traditional "Yamahai-shikomi" and gently pressed in a "Sakafune," it delivers a rich and dynamic flavor that maximizes the potential of the rice. Complex acidity from natural lactic acid balances the powerful umami with a brilliant finish. From sharp and cool to deep and floral when warmed, this is a "true dry" sake. Its overwhelming capacity to pair with meat and rich traditional cuisine has secured its position as the ultimate food-pairing sake Akita proudly offers to the world.

Widely known nationwide by the nickname "Bishu Ranman," this is a quintessential Akita brand featuring a mellow, full-bodied flavor. The mature smoothness from low-temperature long-term fermentation harmonizes with the plump umami of rice for a deeply satisfying taste. From the prestigious Daiginjo "Botan" to the floral "Kaori Ranman" series, it offers a diverse range of expressions that celebrate Akita's rich harvest.

"I want to be a sake that gently fills the heart, like the mist drifting on a spring night." Born from such poetic sensibility, Harukasumi is the flagship brand of Kuribayashi Shuzoten. It maximizes the fine, elegant umami of "Misato Nishiki," a rare sake rice born in Misato Town, brewed gently with the soft spring waters of Rokugo. With a quiet finish that fades smoothly and a sense of rice-given happiness that lingers after a sip, it is celebrated nationwide as the "ultimate food-pairing sake" that enhances rather than competes with a meal.

Naba Shoten's flagship brand, named after the silver scales (Ginrin) of fish in the sea of Tsuchizaki port, reflecting its coastal soul. Brewed with mineral-rich groundwater of Tsuchizaki and slow-fermented at low temperatures, it achieves a fine-grained, transparent quality. With excellent pairing potential for seafood, it conveys the history and culture of Tsuchizaki’s maritime past to modern diners.

Named after the brewer's lifestyle of "Standing in the fields in summer, confined to the brewery in winter," this is the premium series of Asamai Shuzo. Using top-quality rice grown in their own or contracted fields, they practice strictly limited production to express the rice's personality in every drop. Their passion, from soil preparation to bottling, creates an incredibly transparent, refined taste and a deep finish that feels like the energy of the earth.

Born from an NHK drama and now famous across Japan, Mansaku no Hana is the flagship brand of Hinomaru Jozo. Its greatest feature is the incredible variety, with over 50 different types produced yearly using different combinations of rice and yeast each month. The brewer's inquisitive spirit masterfully highlights the unique character of each rice variety. Low-temperature bottle aging creates an elegant sweetness reminiscent of ripe melon or white peach, with fine acidity. The transparent and beautiful finish, like the Mansaku flower that blooms early in spring, brings hope and joy to the soul.

Named after the legend of "Ama no Iwato" in Japanese mythology, Amanoto condenses Asamai Shuzo's philosophy into its Junmai brews. Using the naturally flowing "Biwanuma Kansen" spring water and traditional pressing methods, it maximizes the rich flavors of local rice. The harmony of a strong rice core behind a mild aroma and a gentle, melting sweetness makes it a perfect companion for the Japanese dining table.

Cherished in Daisen since the Taisho era as "the sake that calls for fortune and conversations with friends," Fukunotomo is the traditional flagship brand representing the brewery's pride. With high-quality local water and rice as the stars, it pursues a transparent umami nurtured by Akita's harsh winters. Known as a delicious ("umee") sake with a clean finish and gentle sharpness that complements meals, it quietly supports the lives of local residents. While carrying the weight of a distinguished gate, its nostalgic and approachable flavor deepens human bonds with every cup, bringing warm happiness and fortune to any table.

"Pride of Dewa in a cup as elegant as a crane." Named in the Meiji era, this flagship brand symbolizes the history and prestige of Dewatsuru Shuzo. Amidst lush nature surrounded by the Dewa Hills, pure spring water and select local rice harmonize. Skilled craftsmanship results in a fine, smooth mouthfeel characteristic of snowy Akita, with a sophisticated umami that melts into the throat. As a celebratory sake for auspicious occasions or a companion to enrich daily conversations, its noble yet gentle flavor provides a timeless sense of peace despite the changing eras.

Carrying the brewery's name, this flagship brand directly embodies their philosophy of brewing. A commitment to 100% Junmai combined with Akita-style cold brewing techniques maximizes the rice's gentle, deep sweetness and umami. Its soft, dignified quality, which feels close to the drinker's heart, is highly acclaimed as a masterpiece that elevates daily meals into blissful moments.

Bearing the name of the company, Hokushika is the flagship brand that carries the pride of northern Akita throughout its history. Its primary features are the profound umami from "Akita-style Kimoto" brewing and a transparent sweetness refined through "Secchu Chozo" (Snow Storage). Reflecting the natural bounty of Odate, its quality is a fruition of the passion and perseverance of those living in heavy snow regions, eloquently speaking to the identity of the Kita-Akita and Kazuno districts.

Named after the symbol of Yokote, "Azakura Castle," this is the proud flagship brand of Azakura Shuzo. It is meticulously brewed using the traditional techniques of the Sannai Toji, combined with the natural cooling effect of heavy snowfall. The flavor profile, balancing delicate Ginjo aromas with deep umami, captures the silence and power of snowy regions, ensuring a luxurious experience.

Carrying the wish for "good sake that sells like it's flying," Hiraizumi is the flagship brand representing over 500 years of the brewery's legacy. Its signature is the powerful structure drawn from "Yamahai" brewing, concentrated umami that maximizes rice potential, and a beautiful acidity that stimulates the appetite. Crafted with Akita's harsh winters and traditional skills, this sake maintains its dignity whether served warm or chilled—a masterpiece that embodies the spirit of "learning from the past to create the new."

Bearing the name that wishes for "prosperity and happiness to flourish for a thousand years," Chitosezakari is the flagship brand symbolizing the brewery's legacy. Delicate craftsmanship in the harsh local winters and pure water from Lake Towada draw out a dignified transparency and gentle rice sweetness without any harsh edges. Cherished in Akita's northernmost district of Kazuno, its traditional flavor possesses the elegance suitable for celebratory occasions, bringing warm fortune to those who drink it.

Naming after the brewer’s ambition that "it is worth a fortune (Senryo) in a single drop," this is the flagship brand of Akita-ken Hakko Kogyo. Each drop is brewed with utmost care, boasting a quality recognized by numerous awards in competitions across the Tohoku region. It features a harmonious, deep richness that highlights the rice's umami, earning long-standing trust and popularity as a representative Akita sake.

Focusing on "Akita Sake Komachi" rice carefully grown in the Kagamida district of Kazuno, this brand is a crystalization of local terroir. It was the first sake made from local rice to win a Gold Award at the National New Sake Competition and has earned honors in international competitions as well, showcasing Kazuno's agricultural and brewing excellence to the world. The mellow body with concentrated rice umami harmonizes with an elegant aroma reminiscent of Kagamida's clear air—a masterpiece filled with pride reflecting the local landscape in every glass.

Named after the honorary title of Mt. Chokai, known as "Dewa no Fuji," this flagship brand symbolizes the soul of Sato Shuzoten. Using sacred spring water from the mountain and brewing with the unique "Shinto altar yeast," it offers a silky-smooth mouthfeel and elegant aroma. The harmony between the rich rice umami and the crisp mountain water evokes the serene sight of Mt. Chokai in morning mist—a drop where divinity resides, nurtured by the terroir of Yashima.