Sake Brands
in Fukuoka

"Arima" is one of the brands produced by Yamaguchi Shuzojo, familiar locally as a local sake named after the Arima Domain that ruled the Kurume region. Using the rich water and rice of Kitano Town, it is carefully brewed with the traditional techniques of Yamaguchi Shuzojo. Like "Niwa no Uguisu," it uses the clear water welling up from the sacred water vein of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine as brewing water, characterized by sake brewing that cherishes the local climate. As a brand rooted in the community, it is drunk daily and at local events, playing a part in supporting the sake culture of Kitano Town.

"Mansaku" is a traditional brand of Yamanokotobuki Shuzo, bearing the name "Mansaku" aiming for a bountiful harvest. The brand name, deeply connected to the local agricultural culture, expresses gratitude and respect for rice farming. Inherited even after reconstruction from devastating damage by a typhoon, it continues to evolve to meet modern needs while protecting traditional sake quality. New sensibilities by the young team are added, pursuing a taste where tradition and innovation harmonize. Characterized by a mellow flavor that cherishes the umami of rice, it is loved as a food sake accompanying the local food culture. It is a brand where you can feel the sincere attitude of the brewery that overcame difficulties.

"Sanju no Ibuki" is a brand produced by Yamanokotobuki Shuzo, meaning "Breath of brilliantly shining celebration." Positioned as a symbol of new challenges by the young team, it expresses the innovative attitude of Yamanokotobuki Shuzo. While based on traditional sake brewing techniques, it features sake quality that reflects new sensibilities and a challenging attitude. The natural environment of Kitano Town surrounded by mountains and the history of the brewery overcoming difficulties are contained in the name of this brand.

"Chikugogawa" (Chikugo River) is the flagship brand of Hiryu Shuzo, bearing the name of the Chikugo River, the largest river in Kyushu. Positioned as a main brand, it is characterized by a dry and refreshing mouthfeel widely familiar to locals. Using the underground water of the Chikugo River as brewing water, this precious water gives the sake quality a unique refreshing feeling. The refreshing and sharp finish, utilizing the blessings of the largest river in Kyushu, is attractive. Developing a wide lineup from Josen to Junmai Daiginjo, it features high versatility that can be enjoyed in various scenes, from daily dining tables to special occasions. Pursuing sake quality harmonizing with the food culture of the Chikugo region, it has been loved locally for a long time.

"Hiryu" (Flying Dragon) is a traditional brand bearing the brewery's name, a historical brand that has continued since its founding. Meaning sake that leaps vigorously like a dragon ascending to heaven, it expresses strength and dynamism. The enthusiasm and passion for new challenges when the brewery turned from the Japanese candle business to the sake brewing business are reflected in the brand name. It is sake brewed while protecting traditional methods, utilizing sake brewing that takes advantage of the underground water of the Chikugo River. Although "Chikugogawa" is currently the main brand, "Hiryu" is carefully inherited as a brand that conveys the history of the brewery to the present.

"Biden" is a brand meaning "Beautiful Rice Field," named with gratitude for the rich rural landscape of Tachiarai Town and high-quality rice. As a main brand of Miinokotobuki alongside "Miinokotobuki," it develops sake brewing centered on Junmai sake. Brewed with a method that fuses scientific data management and traditional Toji skills, it is characterized by clear and balanced sake quality. While utilizing the umami of rice, the finish is refreshing, accompanying a wide range of dishes as a food sake. Highly praised at international competitions, it boasts quality recognized worldwide. It is a brand where the passion for the beautiful rural landscape of the region and sake brewing has born fruit.

"Miinokotobuki" is the brewery's flagship brand, combining "Mii" from Mii District and "Kotobuki" meaning celebration. It is also known as the origin of the name of the character "Hisashi Mitsui" in the manga "Slam Dunk," a connection born from the fact that the author Takehiko Inoue is a fan of the brewery. With a lineup centered on Junmai sake, the concept of sake brewing fusing science, sense, and passion is most strongly reflected. It features a balanced approach that cherishes traditional techniques while thoroughly analyzing temperature management and fermentation data. Winning numerous awards at international competitions such as the IWC SAKE category and Kura Master, it boasts quality recognized worldwide. As special projects, they also develop products that cherish the bond with fans, such as sake with 14 degrees alcohol named after Hisashi Mitsui's uniform number and limited edition products released on his birthday, May 22nd.

"Eiden" is a brand bearing the place name of Eiden, Tachiarai Town, where the brewery is located. As the name "Prosperous Rice Field" suggests, it expresses gratitude and respect for the rich rice farming in the region. As a symbol of sake brewing rooted in the community, it uses locally grown rice and water, pursuing sake quality that reflects the climate of Eiden. Brewed with a method that fuses Miinokotobuki's scientific approach and traditional techniques, it is a bottle that conveys the charm of the region.

"Chikushi no Homare" is the flagship brand of the brewery, named with the aim of becoming the "Honor" (Homare) of the Chikushi Plain. Using the rich rice of the Chikushi Plain, the largest granary in Kyushu, and the clear water of the Chikugo River, they pursue sake brewing that condenses the blessings of the region. Protecting the traditional handmade method inherited for over 120 years since its founding, it is characterized by careful sake brewing through small-batch production. With a taste that accompanies the rich nature and food culture of the Chikugo River basin, it has been loved locally for a long time. Using koji carefully grown in a 30°C koji room, it maximizes the umami of rice. As a food sake, it goes well with dishes of the Chikugo region, especially local ingredients such as the Chikugo River fish "Etsu," and is loved as sake supporting the local food culture.

"Tombo" (Dragonfly) is a brand centered on Tokubetsu Junmai sake, brewed by polishing Yumeikkon rice to 60%. The brand name Tombo has been considered an auspicious creature serving gods since ancient times and is also called "Victory Insect" (Kachimushi) because it only moves forward. As per the concept of "drink smoothly," it is characterized by refreshing umami of rice and a sharp finish. The appearance of a dragonfly flying lightly as if sliding on the water surface is superimposed on the comfort of drinking. Using the underground water of the Yabe River, it is finished with a refreshing sake quality. It enhances dishes as a food sake, and the balanced taste that you never get tired of drinking is attractive.

"Samurai no Mon" (Gate of the Samurai) is one of the brands produced by Wakanami Shuzo, a brand name expressing respect for the spirituality of samurai and traditional Japanese culture. Using the underground water of the Yabe River, it is sake brewed by the young generation of brewers fusing traditional techniques and new sensibilities. It is familiar to the region as local sake brewed in Okawa.

"Wakanami" is the brewery's flagship brand, named after the young waves of the Chikugo River (also known as Chikushi Jiro) flowing in front of the brewery. It contains the desire to instill the clear flow of the Chikugo River and the youthful energy reflected therein into the sake. The sake brewed by a young team of five centered on siblings features a fresh and approachable taste, respecting tradition while adding new sensibilities. Using the underground water of the Yabe River, they utilize the blessings of the region's water. With careful handmade production unique to small-scale production, they pursue balanced sake quality utilizing the umami of rice. It is a symbol of new sake brewing spun by the young generation in Okawa.

"Tampopo" (Dandelion) is a brand using the Kanji characters for dandelion, superimposing the vitality and approachability of the familiar wildflower dandelion onto the sake. As one of Wakanami Shuzo's diverse lineup, it is a presence familiar to the region. Using the underground water of the Yabe River, it features sake brewing reflecting the sensibilities of young brewers.

"Seiriki" is the brewery's flagship brand and has been loved as a famous sake in the Chikugo region for many years. The brand name, which means "Pure Power," expresses the pure charm of sake and the strength that gives people vitality. The sake quality has the characteristic of being "slightly dry with slightly high acidity," and you can enjoy different expressions depending on the season, from the freshness of freshly squeezed new sake to the mellow taste aged until autumn. This change in taste is a charm unique to traditional sake brewing. Using the rich rice and water of the Chikugo region, they continue sake brewing that reflects the climate of the region. As a food sake, it goes well with local dishes and is a brand loved widely from daily dining tables to special occasions.

"Rouge Naturelle" is one of the distinctive brands of Yanagawa Shuzo. The brand name "Rouge" means "Red" in French, and "Naturelle" means "Natural," suggesting a sake with natural redness and glamour. Like other brands of Yanagawa Shuzo, it is thought to be brewed by a handmade method using the underground water of weak hard water gushing from the underground shell layer near the mouth of the Chikugo River and sake rice from Fukuoka Prefecture. Since the Western name "Rouge Naturelle" is adopted, it may be a product with a more modern and sophisticated approach, different from the image of conventional sake.

"Kuninokotobuki" is the representative brand of Yanagawa Shuzo, a historical brand born in this land in the 23rd year of Meiji, more than 100 years ago. The brand name includes the meaning of blessing the prosperity and longevity of the country, and is loved as an auspicious name suitable for celebratory occasions. The biggest feature of this brand is that it uses underground water of weak hard water gushing from the underground shell layer near the mouth of the Chikugo River. This water quality, which is rich in minerals and has strong fermentation power, produces a tangy dry taste. At the same time, by using 100% rice from Fukuoka Prefecture, especially using the improved variety rice "Jugemu" (a crossbreed of Yamada Nishiki and Yumeikkon) jointly developed with local farmers, plump umami of rice is realized. In manufacturing, under the motto "Aiming to carry through rather than omitting," they continue to protect traditional manufacturing methods that insist on handmade production. In particular, they have a strong commitment to koji making, and bring out the individuality of sake through careful processes that make the most of the Toji's skills and experience.

"Hyakka Ryoran" (Profusion of Flowers) is a Junmai Daiginjo brand boasted by Yanagawa Shuzo, characterized by a mellow aroma and fine, elegant flavor. The brand name "Hyakka Ryoran" is a word expressing the appearance of many flowers blooming in profusion, symbolizing glamour and richness. For the ingredient rice, the finest sake rice from Fukuoka Prefecture, Yamada Nishiki, is used and carefully polished with a high polishing ratio of 40%. This luxurious raw material processing realizes a sophisticated taste without unpleasant tastes. The characteristic of the taste is the harmony of gorgeous yet delicate aroma and umami unique to genshu (undiluted sake). The mellow aroma rises fluffily, and when you put it in your mouth, mellow sweetness and umami of rice spread. The fine and elegant flavor wraps the whole, and the finish is refreshing and sharp.

"Yahhou" is a high-class, limited-distribution Junmai Daiginjo from Kitaya. The brand name was named after the image of the mountains ranging in the Yame region. Using Fukuoka Prefecture Yame's original sake rice "Gin no Sato" polished to 48%, it is fermented slowly at low temperatures. It features an elegant aroma unique to Gin no Sato and a plump taste with concentrated rice umami.

"Arima" is thought to be a brand named after Bairin-ji Temple, the family temple of the Arima family of the Kurume Domain, or expressing respect for the Arima family itself. It is a Junmai Ginjo sake brewed with traditional techniques using Yamada Nishiki and Omachi from Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture. The personalities of the two sake rices harmonize, and you can enjoy a mellow aroma and deep taste. It is a cup that makes you feel the history and culture of Yame.