Sake Brands
in Akita
Gekkanomai
Tatenoi
Nurtured by the snowy terroir of Yokote, this was the flagship brand symbolizing Numadate Shuzo's deep local roots. Derived from the name of the district, it stood as a testament to honest brewing using high-quality water and rice, cherished by the community for years. Though it became a "phantom sake" after production ended in 2008, its mellow umami reflecting Yokote's charm remains a legendary masterpiece for fans.
Tatenoi
This brewery is closed
Sannai Toji
Authorized to carry the name of one of Japan's five major brewers' guilds, "Sannai Toji," this brand is a source of pride for Dainagawa. By selecting rice and water from the original Sannai village and adhering to traditional techniques, it offers a sharp, clean finish and profound depth. Exhibiting high perfection at any temperature from cold to warm, it is a brew that lets you feel the "soul of the Toji" through respect for ancient skills.
Dainagawa
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.
Takanohana
With former Yokozuna Takanohana as the chairman of its support group, this special brand unites feelings for Japan's traditional "Kokushu" (national sake). Inspired by a sumo wrestler's strength and dignity, it is brewed with Dainagawa's top techniques, making it a perfect gift for celebrations. The flavor profile features a dignified, clean taste and core umami, providing a sense of exhilaration and deep satisfaction with every sip.
Tenka
Named after "snow that falls from the sky like flowers," Tenka is a limited series of unfiltered raw sake capturing Akita's winter beauty. Each brew shows a different face, from the juicy sweetness of the "Heart Label" to the sharp dry finish of the "Flame Label," filled with a spirit of challenge. With multiple gold medals at national competitions, its contrast of gorgeous aroma and vivid flavor is a rare gem for modern sake enthusiasts.
Yaesu
Derived from the Yaesu district in Tokyo, this brand symbolizes the identity of Yaesu Meijo, harmonizing urban sophistication with Akita's terroir. Using high-quality rice from the Senboku Plain and long-term low-temperature fermentation, it is polished into a highly aromatic and transparent sake. While light and crisp, it retains a solid rice umami that complements any cuisine, earning popularity as a premium, approachable brew.
Magisekka
La Chante
Named after the French word for "singing," this modern sparkling sake opens a new door to the world of Japanese sake. Based on traditional techniques, it offers a refreshing citrus-like acidity and a gentle rice-derived sweetness with a light low-alcohol finish. The pearl-like bubbles dancing in the glass turn daily meals into celebratory occasions, gaining immense support from women and those new to sake.
Gurando E Wan
Ryuban
Meaning "a dragon coiled on the ground waiting to ascend," Ryuban symbolizes hidden strength and ambitious excellence in its Junmai line. Using carefully selected Yamada Nishiki rice, it pursues a dynamic and profound flavor, featuring powerful umami that inspires the drinker's soul. With a heavy, dignified character like a silent roar sealed in a bottle, it is a premium brew for adults to enjoy slowly and intently.
Hideyoshi
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.
Masatsu Hatsudenki Elekiter
Named after Japan's first friction-based static electricity generator "Elekiter," restored by Hiraga Gennai in 1776, this unique brand is full of historical playfulness. It celebrates the fateful encounter at the Goi mansion between Gennai and Odano Naotake, which changed the course of Japanese science and art history. Symbolizing the intellectual curiosity of the Edo period and the progressive spirit of Kakunodate, this sake sparks inspiration in modern fans seeking surprise and stimulation.
Magozaemon
Kakunodate Shiraume
This brand tells the history of the Goi family, overlaying the refined aesthetics of Kakunodate’s samurai residences onto the image of quietly blooming white plum blossoms. Inheriting the traditions of the era when it was brewed in-house, its dignified flavor is now preserved through contract brewing with trusted breweries. The gentle rice umami and crisp freshness deliver a sense of peace and historical weight, much like the scent of plum blossoms in Kakunodate after the snow melts.
Tatsumaki
Tatsumaki is a proprietary brand of Akita Seishu, characterized by its powerful, tornado-like dynamism and sharp finish. As the company supporting the distribution of "Dewa Tsuru" and "Kariho," they combine the excellence of each brewery's techniques and materials into a perfectly balanced flavor. Its refreshing mouthfeel and solid core umami pair well with any cuisine, captivating gourmets with its unique character that directly channels the power of Akita's land and water.
Kakumagawa
Yamabuki
Engraving the concept of "aging" into the history of sake, Yamabuki is a word-class series of long-term aged sake from Kinmon Akita. The flagship "Yamabuki Gold" is a blend of sake aged for at least 10 years and up to 18 years, boasting an amber glow and a concentrated aroma reminiscent of dried fruits. Its silky-smooth texture and complex, layered umami finish are truly an art form crafted by time, a unique masterpiece that continúa to captivate gourmets worldwide.
Kinmon Akita
Carrying the brewery's name, this brand is the origin of Kinmon Akita Shuzo, directly expressing the blessings of Akita's fertile land and water. Infused with techniques for extracting exceptional rice umami developed through aged sake production, it pursues a sophisticated flavor compatible with modern dining while maintaining traditional roots. With a harmony of powerful umami reflecting Akita's spirit and a clean finish, it is a trusted local sake that adds color to daily life.