Sake Brands
in Fukui

"Kokuryu" is the flagship brand representing the soul of Kokuryu Shuzo, named after the ancient name of the Kuzuryu River flowing nearby, "Kokuryu River." With the theme of "A cup connected to eternity," the sake brewed with high-quality water, rice, and skilled techniques has a delicate and profound taste. It is an exquisite piece, often called a work of art of sake, characterized by a smooth texture like silk and an elegant aroma.

"Eiheiji Hakuryu" is Yoshida Shuzo's new flagship brand, evolved from the traditional "Hakuryu." With the concept of "Eiheiji Terroir," it is a Junmai sake committed to Eiheiji's rice, water, and people. Maximizing the inherent power of rice, it achieves both rich umami and crispness, with a taste that makes you feel the earth of Fukui and Eiheiji.

"Born" is a sake brand that Kato Kichibee Shoten boasts to the world. It means "truth" or "purity" in Sanskrit and resonates with the English word "BORN" (birth/creation). While possessing historical honors such as being adopted for the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Showa, they pursue quality improvement through innovative technology. The transparently beautiful aroma and silky smooth mouthfeel are truly a work of art of sake. It is a superlative taste that colors special days.

"Jozan" is the flagship brand, which can be said to be the soul of Tokoyama Shuzo, named with the aim of being "excellent sake in both name and reality." Using brewing rice nurtured by Fukui's climate and clear water, it realizes a "Tanrei Umakuchi" (light and flavorful) taste, or "Echizen Dry," where crispness and the inherent umami of rice harmonize exquisitely. It is highly evaluated as a sophisticated dry sake that enhances meals and never tires the palate.

"Ichinotani" is the flagship brand of Uno Shuzojo, nurtured by the climate of Ono and 400 years of tradition. Luxuriously using the pinnacle of sake brewing rice "Yamada Nishiki" and underground water from "Oshozu," one of the Top 100 Waters. The sake brewed while protecting traditional handmade methods combines a mellow taste with condensed rice umami and a refreshing throat feel.

"Echizen Misaki" is the current flagship brand born as Tanabe Shuzo focused on specific designation sake. Its quality is highly evaluated, achieving 6 consecutive gold medals at the National New Sake Appraising, the only one in Fukui Prefecture to do so. Contrary to the brand name evocative of the rough waves of Fukui's severe winter and the strength living there, it features a delicate and transparent taste. It is a representative sake of Fukui where tradition and innovation fuse.

"Ippongi" is the flagship brand of Ippongi Kubo Honten, derived from the Zen phrase "Daiichi Gitai" and meaning "supreme truth." It was once loved as the official sake of the Katsuyama clan. The dry sake pursuing "crispness" has been loved for a long time as a dining sake that enhances the taste of local Fukui ingredients.

"Hayaseura" is the flagship brand of Miyake Hikoemon Shuzo, bearing the local name "Hayase." Known as "Binan-shu" (Handsome Sake) born from vigorous fermentation using mineral-rich brewing water, it features a clear taste free of off-flavors due to pressing all sake in tanks, and a rich dry flavor where the umami of rice can be firmly felt. It pairs perfectly with fresh seafood from Wakasa Bay and is a mealtime sake beloved in the fishing town.

"Hakugakusen" is Yasumoto Shuzo's modern flagship brand launched by the 46th generation. It was named taking "Haku" (White) from the Hakusan water vein, "Gaku" (Mountain) from the land surrounded by mountains, and "Sen" (Hermit/Gathering) wishing for a place where people gather. Using rice and water from Fukui Prefecture and original yeast, it features a modern taste full of transparency, sealing in the freshness of freshly pressed sake through rapid cooling and bottle warming pasteurization.

"Denshin" is a limited distribution brand meaning "reaching your heart." It embodies the wish to be a sake that deepens the bonds between people. Using sake rice and water nurtured by Fukui's climate, it features a delicate and profound taste that honestly expresses the individuality of each sake rice.

"Hanagaki" is the flagship brand packed with the passion and technology of Nanbu Shuzojo. It offers a wide lineup, from fresh sake like "Tarekuchi" to aged sake with a deep taste due to long-term maturation. Especially for aged sake, it has received high acclaim nationwide, and the harmony of the rice's umami and the mellowness created by time is exquisite. It complements any dish and brightly colors the dining table.

"Kumonoi" is the flagship brand of Yoshida Kingoemon Shouten, named after an old poem. Embodying the brewery's attitude of insisting on "only Junmai sake," it maximizes the umami and sweetness of rice. The full-bodied and profound taste woven by the smooth water welling from a deep well dug in the Taisho era and high-quality rice is an exquisite piece that softens the drinker's heart.

"Fukuchitose" is the flagship brand of Tajima Shuzo, which has maintained Yamahai brewing for over 170 years. Aiming to be a "Blissful sake for meals," the sake brewed with the power of natural lactic acid bacteria features rich, deep body and clear acidity that cuts through the fat of food. It has a broad-minded and powerful taste that pairs well not only with Japanese food but also with diverse modern cuisines such as Western and Chinese.

"Kuzuryu" is another representative brand born with the concept of "A cup opening the door to freedom." Its charm lies in being able to taste it in a free style, such as the Daiginjo sake "Kuzuryu Daiginjo" which can be enjoyed as warmed sake, and Junmai sake which can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from cold to warm. It is an approachable yet high-quality sake that richly colors the daily dining table.

"Yukikirara" is a sake named after the beautiful snowy landscape of southern Fukui Prefecture. It expresses how the falling snow melts in the spring sunshine and becomes sparkling clear water that moistens the earth. It features a refreshing and clear taste that makes you feel the coolness of the snow country and the blessings of nature.

"Manatsuru" is the flagship brand boasted by Manatsuru Shuzo. Sticking to entirely handmade production, the taste that maximizes the umami of rice is characterized by being delicate yet profound. Not only traditional Junmai sake but also aged sake matured in sherry casks and new sensation sake using wine yeast, they continue to propose new possibilities of sake with a diverse lineup that fuses tradition and innovation.

"Kashoku" is a proud brand of Yutaka Shuzo, named after the wedding ceremony of Emperor Taisho. Brewed without additives while protecting traditional handmade methods, its taste features the rich umami of rice and a crispness that enhances meals. As a "taste utilizing the blessings of the Hino River brewed by a young Toji," it is also gaining fans from a new generation.

The greatest characteristic of "Maibijin" lies in its intense acidity and rich umami that overturn the general image of sake. This unique flavor is born from long-term fermentation of the yeast starter using the Yamahai method without added yeast. Rich and full-bodied (Nojun Umakuchi), the brand also focuses on aged sake (koshu), where you can enjoy a mellow richness and depth that softens with time. Its balance of pleasant acidity and umami, along with a mild aroma, makes it perfect for pairing with meals. It is a sake with a one-of-a-kind presence that creates a magnificent marriage not only with Japanese cuisine but also with richly flavored Western and Chinese dishes.

"Koshinoiso" is the flagship brand brewed by the brewery of the same name located in Omiya, Fukui City. Maintaining the traditional brewing methods since its founding, it has been loved for many years as a local sake rooted in the climate of Fukui. Characterized by the plump umami of rice and a crisp finish, it is familiar as a staple sake that accompanies daily dining tables.

The name "Boyu" in "Echizen Boyu" means to forget worries. As the name suggests, it is brewed with the wish that you forget the hustle and bustle and worries of daily life and spend a relaxing time. It is a healing sake characterized by a gentle taste that permeates the heart, woven by the soft water and high-quality rice nurtured in the land of Echizen.

"Mu no Kokoro" is a brand themed around the spirit of Zen. It embodies the desire for you to clear your mind of distracting thoughts, become "Mu" (emptiness/void), and perceive the delicate umami and aroma inherent in the rice with all five senses. Pursuing a deep and clear taste, it is a sake to face in silence.

"Shunka Shusetsu Echizen" is a brand that expresses the changing of Japan's beautiful four seasons. By using "Snow" (Setsu) instead of "Winter" (To), it expresses the emotion of Echizen, a snow country. The breath of spring, the exhilaration of summer, the harvest of autumn, and the silence of snowy winter. Like nature changing its expression every season, it is a sake where you can enjoy different atmospheres depending on the time of drinking and temperature.

"Ichigo Ichie" is a brand bearing the name of the tea ceremony spirit, "Ichigo Ichie" (once-in-a-lifetime encounter). The encounter with this sake and the time spent drinking with others are precious things that will never come around again. It is a sake carefully brewed with heart, worthy of coloring such irreplaceable moments. Perfect for special days when you want to cherish each cup.

"Tokigasane" is an aged sake series that expresses flavor deepening with time. Sake that has quietly spent time in the warehouse and aged slowly becomes mellow and takes on complex flavors as the sharp edges wear off. The mellow aroma and deep taste nurtured by the flow of time make it a luxurious cup for adults to enjoy during a relaxing night.

"Koganenoya" is a brand that was formerly brewed by Kiku Katsura Shuzo in Fukui City. Due to the closure of the brewery, it is no longer produced or sold.