Sake Brands
in Aomori

"Momokawa" is named after the pristine waters of the Momoishi River (now the Oirase River) used in its brewing. It is one of Momokawa's three flagship brands, celebrated as the rich "Momokawa," alongside the crisp "Nebuta" and the flavorful "Sugidama."

"Kikuizumi" is one of the brands of Nishida Shuzoten, encompassing products like Daiginjo and Utou.

Mutsu Hassen is the innovative face of Hachinohe Shuzo, characterized by its gorgeous aroma and fresh sweetness. The name embodies the wish for the drinker to feel as comfortable and enlightened as the "Eight Immortals." Its modern and sophisticated taste is highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas. Valuing the freshness of "just-squeezed" sake, it delivers a new appeal of sake where fruity fragrance harmonizes perfectly with the umami of rice.

"Rokkon" takes its name from the Buddhist term "Rokkon Shojo" (purifying the six senses), where "rokkon" refers to the six sensory organs: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. True to its commitment as a Junmai brewery, every sake is produced without added alcohol and shipped after being stored in bottles without filtration. Their brewing philosophy rests on three pillars: "Sincere Brewing," "Junmai Production," and "Making Sake that Complements Food." As a tribute to the meticulous polishing of rice, which they treat like gems, specific labels are named after gemstones such as "Diamond" and "Jade." Brewed with pure water from Shirakami-Sanchi and Mt. Iwaki, and using Aomori's "Hana-fubuki" sake rice, Rokkon features a rich, umami-forward profile with a sharp, clean finish that mirrors the majestic peaks of Mt. Iwaki.

"Inamuraya Bunshiro" is a brand that achieved a triple crown at the 2015 Aomori Prefecture Sake Awards, winning in the Ginjo (Daiginjo), Junmai (Junmai Daiginjo), and Ginjo (Aomori-grown rice) categories.

"Jokyu" is the main brand of Hachinohe Shurui Gonohe Factory.

"Joppari" is the flagship brand of Rokka Shuzo, named after the Tsugaru dialect for "stubborn" or "unyielding." Brewed with pure underground water from the Shirakami-Sanchi mountains and locally grown "Hana-fubuki" sake rice, it is a sake deeply rooted in the land of Tsugaru. They place immense effort into creating a powerful koji that produces the uniquely bold character of Joppari. Created by the first master brewer, Mr. Takezawa, during an era when sweet sakes dominated, he remained steadfast in his vision to produce a sharp dry sake with a Sake Meter Value (SMV) of +8. This signature dryness is a testament to the harsh, freezing winters of Tsugaru.

"Denshu" literally means "Sake of the Rice Fields," indicating it is a Junmai sake made only from rice harvested in paddies, without any added alcohol or sugar. It was launched after three years of development during an era when fortified sake was the norm. The brewery discovered the seeds of the legendary "Kojo-nishiki" rice and successfully revived it through contract farming. This variety had been discontinued in 1980 due to the rise of Yamada-nishiki. The "Denshu Junmai Gingo Kojo-nishiki" is polished to 50%, offering a harmonious blend of soft ginjo aroma and rice umami with a balanced, light profile. Known for its refreshing sweetness and crisp acidity, it is highly popular as a staple summer sake.

Hatomasamune features a "crisp and light" flavor with little idiosyncratic character. Its clean mouthfeel makes it an excellent pairing for any kind of dish.

The brand "Houhai" takes its name from "Houhai-mai," a specialty sake rice developed in Aomori in 1976. The name "Houhai" (meaning "plentiful cup") is also inspired by the local Tsugaru folk song "Houhai-bushi." Known for its delicate sweetness and elegant aroma, Houhai is considered the ultimate food-pairing sake. A subtle fragrance with a hint of plump rice notes provides a refreshing and rounded taste profile. It is often described as resembling an Aomori apple—fresh, with a honey-like sweetness balanced by a mild acidity. Unusually for a brewery of its size, they perform their own rice milling, showing their deep dedication to the raw ingredients. The brand has earned prestigious accolades, including being served in JAL First Class and at the Japanese Embassy in Spain. "Houhai-mai" accounts for about 50% of the rice used, with other varieties including Misato-nishiki, Yamada-nishiki, Kame-no-o, Hana-fubuki, and Hana-omoi. About 80% of their rice is sourced from within Aomori Prefecture, and Miura Shuzoten remains the only brewery to use "Houhai-mai."

"Sugidama" is a Ginjo Junmai sake named after the cedar ball (sugidama) which is the traditional symbol of sake breweries. This exquisite sake offers a perfect balance of aroma and flavor with a mellow mouthfeel that can be enjoyed both chilled and warmed. It features a soft profile that highlights the rich umami of the rice.

"Nebuta" is named after Aomori's grandest and most majestic festival, the "Nebuta Matsuri." Its packaging and labels feature powerful Nebuta artwork by the master artist Hiroo Takenami. Characterized by a crisp, dry (karakuchi) and light (tanrei) finish, this sake captures the energy and sharp movements of the "Haneto" dancers as they leap to the rhythmic cries of "Rassera! Rassera!" A highly acclaimed masterpiece, it won the top prize in the Junmai category at the 2017 International Sake Challenge. It offers a smooth, mellow profile that reveals the rich umami of the rice despite its clean finish.

"Tsugaru Jongara" is one of the flagship brands, known for its highly aromatic and gorgeous character.

"Tamadare" was named after a legendary story of a priest at Hongyo-ji Temple in Hirosaki, who was moved by the sweetness of water droplets dripping from a rock while practicing Zen meditation. It features a gentle aroma and a quintessential Aomori flavor with integrated rice umami, acidity, and bitterness. It is a beloved local favorite enjoyed throughout the prefecture.

"Andoh Suigun" is the flagship brand of Ozaki Shuzo. It is named after the "Andoh Navy," masters of the Sea of Japan who forged the prosperity of the "Tsugaru Tosa-no-Minato" trading port from the late 12th to the 15th century. The label features a striking red design depicting the sun setting over the Sea of Japan, evoking the romanticism and grandeur of the northern conquerors.

"Hakkoda Oroshi" is carefully brewed using 100% "Hana-fubuki," a sake rice variety from Aomori, polished to perfection. It features a mellow and rich flavor that fully brings out the taste of the rice. While the aroma is subtle, the taste is robust, making it a perfect companion for a wide range of meals.

Mutsu Otokoyama is a traditional brand of Hachinohe Shuzo, inheriting the pride of the original "Otokoyama" name. It has a history of being cherished by local fishermen and is characterized by a sharp, dry taste that pairs perfectly with seafood dishes.

"Komaizumi" is named after the "spring (izumi) of the horse (koma) village," in honor of Shichinohe's reputation as a famous horse-breeding area. It is brewed using the gentle meltwater from the East Hakkoda mountain range, known as "Takasegawa underflow water."

"Matsu Midori" is a brand named after an ancient pine tree over 300 years old.

Hachitsuru is the flagship brand of Hachinohe Syurui. It was named by combining the "Mukai-tsuru" (facing cranes) crest of the Nanbu clan, who ruled the Hachinohe Domain, with "Hachi" (8) from the place name. The calligraphy on the label is historic, provided by the artist Taikan Yokoyama in exchange for 4 to (72L) of the brewery's sake. The popular products, brewed with Aomori's "Hana-fubuki" rice polished to 60% and Association Yeast No. 10, are characterized by a full-bodied umami and a smooth aftertaste. By using Association Yeast No. 10, the rice's umami stands out with a calm mouthfeel, achieving a satisfyingly robust taste with just the right touch of fruitiness.

The brand "Yoshinozakura" was originally produced by Fukushima Shuzo, once one of the largest breweries in the Tohoku region, and was inherited by Yoshii Shuzo after the war. It is a prestigious brand with a history of approximately 100 years. In 1907, Fukushima Shuzo moved its factory and warehouse to Yoshino-cho in Hirosaki, drawn by a new site where pure underground water from Mount Iwaki flowed, making "Yoshinozakura" its flagship product. Yoshii Shuzo carries on this heritage, preserving it as a beloved local sake of Hirosaki.

"Arama" is one of the brands in the Rokka Shuzo product lineup.

"Tappi" is one of the brands in the Rokka Shuzo product lineup.

"Kurako" is one of the brands in the Rokka Shuzo product lineup.