Sake Brands
in Akita

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.

Yachiyo is the proud flagship brand of Yachiyo Shuzo, bottling the pure life force of the local "Rokugo Spring Water Group." Natural spring water from the Ou Mountains harmonizes with Akita rice nurtured by the Senboku Plain. Through meticulous handcrafting, it achieves a perfect balance of straightforward rice sweetness and a refreshing clarity that glides smoothly down the throat. Symbolizing "Eternal Prosperity," it is a celebratory brand suitable for special occasions. Its gentle, dignified flavor, which brings to mind the beautiful landscapes of Rokugo, has been loved by the community across generations.

"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.

Okushimizu is the flagship brand of Takahashi Shuzoten, symbolizing the deep natural blessings of Rokugo, the "Village of Famous Water." By using two vital springs, it pursues a soft mouthfeel and smooth finish derived from the Ou Mountains' underground water. The pure spring water highlights the honest umami of local rice, resulting in an elegant sake that never tires the palate. Born from deep respect for the water, its flavor is the very essence of Rokugo's scenery. It gently accompanies daily meals, providing a crystal-clear aftertaste that peacefully moistens the drinker's soul.

Named after the "Egao-shimizu" spring on the brewery grounds, this brand carries the brewer's ultimate wish to bring a smile (egao) to everyone who drinks it. True to the legend of an old man who laughed at his reflection in the spring, the water is incredibly mellow, giving the sake a gentle character. A "masterpiece for daily drinking" intended for sharing simple happiness. Just one sip unbinds the heart and colors the table with warm smiles, embodying the true spirit of Takahashi Shuzoten.

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.

Dewa no Shizuku is a prestigious brand inspired by the droplet of blessings nurtured by the nature of "Dewa," the old name for Akita. Based on Kariho Shuzo's traditional techniques, it wraps the strength of Yamahai brewing in a delicate transparency, pursuing a gentler and more refined mouthfeel. The freshness of pure water from the Dewa landscape gives each drop an elegant sparkle. Nurtured in the historic land of Daisen, this sake carries the weight of tradition while moving lightly. Its flavor, as clear as the Akita sky, heals the soul of the drinker.

"Creating the best sake with our local 'Akita Komachi' table rice, not just sake rice." Born from this passionate challenge, Fuyuki is the innovative brand of Fukunotomo Shuzo. Its defining feature is the insistence on "Muroka Genshu" (unfiltered and undiluted), maximizing the potential of table rice. The dynamic umami filled with life force straight from the press is bottled as is, possessing a dignified strength like trees in winter. Beyond the framework of conventional sake, it offers a dense sweetness and fresh acidity unique to the rice. This pure drop, directly conveying the brewer's will, is an opening to a new world of sake, attracting intense attention from savvy enthusiasts.

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.

"A one-of-a-kind drop that can only be brewed in this land." Yamato Shizuku is a concept brand that focuses exclusively on "rice grown within a 10km radius," maximizing local terroir. Bound by strong ties to specific fields and farmers, it is the ultimate Jizake where rice cultivation and brewing are two sides of the same coin. Within its clean transparency, the energy of the earth and the honest umami of the rice are condensed. Its flavor is refreshing and crisp, like the breeze blowing through Nangai's countryside. Each drop vividly conveys its roots, inviting modern sake fans into the deep heart of Akita.

"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.

"Young leaves shine on the surrounding mountains, eternal green (Chiyomidori)." Named after a poem by the founder moved by early summer's lushness, this is the proud flagship brand of Okuda Shuzoten. Its greatest appeal is the combination of a fresh, elegant Ginjo aroma from the 350-year-old in-house yeast "MS3" and a mouthfeel as soft as powdered snow. It maximizes the life force of sake rice nurtured by contract farmers in Kyowa, resulting in an amazingly delicate and graceful flavor. Reflecting the philosophy of "gentle and mild," its refreshing sweetness and crisp, clean finish envelop the drinker in deep peace—a gem of a bottle delivering freshness like everlasting green across eternity.

Bearing the brewer's own name, Ritsurin is a concept brand created to pursue the ultimate expression of terroir. With a focus on specific fields and cultivation methods, it aims to bottle the latent potential of Misato Nishiki rice and the essence of Rokugo's landscape directly. While retaining Harukasumi's gentleness, it offers a robust flavor filled with the energy and life force of the earth. A truly original sake that reflects the brewer's will and the memory of the land, inviting the drinker to Akita's rural scenery.

The pinnacle Daiginjo of Akita Shuzo, famous for being the first commercially available Daiginjo in the prefecture. The legacy yeast and long-term cold fermentation produce a mellow richness and apple-like fruity aroma in exquisite harmony. Named after the pure joy of drinking, its elegant umami and silky mouthfeel invite you to a truly blissful moment.