Sake Brands
in Akita

Named after the Akita dialect word "Gappari," meaning "plenty" or "heartily," this unique brand pursues satisfying richness and drinkability. Its appeal lies in its unpretentious, straightforward rice umami and powerful structure, cherished by locals as an essential source of energy on the dining table. With a character that embodies the bold generosity and warmth of Akita people, this everyday masterpiece brightens daily life and provides vitality for tomorrow.

HITEN is an innovative brand with a completely new sensibility, launched by the 27th generation owner of this 500-year-old brewery. While inheriting traditional Yamahai techniques, it reinvents the classic heavy image, pursuing fruity juicy acidity and a light mouthfeel to suit modern diets as "Yamahai for the current era." Where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sense, this sake reconstructs the charm of the classic Yamahai style, serving as a bridge to the next generation and opening new horizons for sake.

HITEN (Imagine) is a modern concept brand created with the wish to deliver new joy born from traditional skills to people living in the present. While inheriting Taiheizan-style Kimoto techniques, it pursues a fresher and lighter style to accompany contemporary diets, expressing the "newness" living within tradition. The harmony between its juicy fruitiness and deep Kimoto-derived finish captivates next-generation sake fans, truly a creative drop to color the present moment.

Bearing the name of the brewery's symbol "Hikobei" since the Genroku era, this premium brand reflects the 15th generation owner's passion and absolute confidence in his craft. While preserving history, it incorporates cutting-edge knowledge gained from NEXT5. This sake offers a sophisticated flavor like a beautiful spark where tradition and innovation collide. Facing the highest quality rice with uncompromising standards, this sake is a soulful record of the brewer himself, connecting ancestral pride to the next generation.

Protected and cherished along with the brewery's journey since 1901, Shirataki is the origin and soulful representative brand of Yamamoto Shuzoten. The name derives from the "Shirataki Waterfall" in the Shirakami-Sanchi mountains towering behind the brewery. In the early Showa era, life-giving water drawn from the falls via a handcrafted waterway gave this sake its dignified strength and transparency. Backed by traditional techniques, the flavor blends straightforward rice umami with the freshness of Shirakami water—a reliable brand symbolizing the beautiful yet harsh terroir of Happo-cho.

"Suishin" is a ultimate food-pairing sake born from dialogues with sushi chefs across Japan, pursuing the best possible match for sushi. It features a modest, elegant aroma that doesn't overshadow delicate seafood, a sharp finish that cleanses the palate, and an exquisite dryness that complements sushi rice. Enhancing the true joy of sushi with a "chic spirit," its quality invites the next bite more deliciously, gaining immense trust as a culinary partner in global washoku scenes.

Once brewed by Isamigoma Shuzo, this flagship brand poetically expressed Akita's fantastical snow-covered landscapes and the pure drops born from them. Nurtured by the rich soil of the Yokote Basin and refined in the silence of a freezing brewery, its snow-like pure and soft mouthfeel was cherished by locals. While production has ended along with the brewery's history, the peaceful moments it provided live on as a beautiful legend coloring the memories of Akita's winters.

Entrusting the beauty of Akita's nature to the word "Nishiki" (brocade), this brand was a pride of the community, brewed with traditional skills by Isamigoma Shuzo. It carefully drew out the umami of rice grown in Yokote's rich soil, serving as a local sake that added color to celebratory days and daily conversations. Though its history ended with the passage of time, the sincere spirit of brewing that supported Akita's sake culture is still spoken of with respect as a symbol of Yokote's legacy.

This brewery is closed

Bearing the name gifted from the coat of arms of the lords of Akita, Hinomaru is the foundational brand symbolizing over 330 years of tradition. With the spirit of "This is Hinomaru Jozo," skilled craftsmen combine ancient techniques with modern wisdom to create a grand, dignified flavor. Infused with deep respect and gratitude for its home in Akita, this sake possesses a rich body reflecting its pedigree and a crystal-clear aftertaste, shining as a true classic that transcends time.

A highly popular brand considered the ideal food-pairing sake, achieving a high-level balance between "umai" (savory) and "karai" (dry). While drawing out the powerful umami of Akita's unique "Aki no Sei" rice, it maintains an astonishingly dry and light aftertaste. It has the depth to stand up to meat dishes and rich local cuisine, enjoyable at any temperature from chilled to hot. Designed as a partner for the dining table, its quality invites the next bite and makes every meal more delicious—a masterpiece that Hinomaru Jozo is truly proud of.