Sake Brands
in Akita

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.

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.

Bearing the name of the brewer himself, Yamamoto is the next-generation flagship brand that has sent a fresh breeze through the sake industry. The owner's modern sensibilities, honed by university life in the US and experience in the music industry, have breathed new life into Shirakami spring water and Akita rice. The quality, resulting from technical exchanges within NEXT5, features a perfect harmony of juicy fruitiness and fine acidity. With a bold yet sophisticated approach, it captivates younger generations and global tasters as an ever-evolving "sake of challenge."

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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

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.