Sake Brands
in Hiroshima

"Ugo no Tsuki" is the flagship brand of Aihara Shuzo, named after a passage in Roka Tokutomi's essay "Nature and Life", "The moon shining clearly in the sky after the rain." By storing all products in refrigeration to prevent deterioration of sake quality, it is packed with a commitment to quality that is always shipped in the best condition. Characterized by a beautiful taste with transparency and an elegant and gorgeous aroma, it is a beautiful sake representing Hiroshima that has received high praise both domestically and internationally.

"Sakura Fubuki" is a traditional brand that Kanemitsu Shuzo in Kurose-cho, Higashihiroshima City, has continued to brew since its founding. It is an evening drink that has been loved by the people of Kurose-cho for many years, characterized by a gentle and calm taste. Although "Kamo Kinshu" is currently attracting attention, this brand, which is rooted in the history of the brewery and the lives of the local people, continues to be carefully protected.

"Suishin" is a sake brewed by Suishin Yamane Honten, founded in 1860. It was named "Yoigokoro" in the mid-Meiji period and later became popularly known as "Suishin." It is famous as the sake that the master of Japanese painting, Yokoyama Taikan, loved to drink all his life, and its refined taste has been loved by many cultural figures. It uses ultra-soft water with a hardness of 14 for brewing water and is brewed using Hiroshima's traditional soft water brewing method. It features a fine and soft mouthfeel unique to soft water and an exquisite balance where you can feel a faint sweetness even though it is dry.

"Houkakinmon" is a standard and long-selling brand that inherits the history and tradition of Hakubotan Shuzo. It has been loved by locals for a long time as an evening drink where you can easily enjoy the "sweet and savory" taste typical of Hakubotan. Characterized by a taste that you will never get tired of, which can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from cold to hot sake, adding color to the daily dining table.

"Seikyo" is the representative brand of Nakao Jozo, founded in 1871, and was named after the founder's spirit of "likening the expression of sake poured into a cup to a mirror, looking into it, and brewing sake with a sincere heart." Brewed using the brewery's unique "high-temperature saccharification yeast starter method," it is characterized by a clean sharpness and a light taste that you will never tire of drinking. It is a classic evening drink that has been loved by the people of Hiroshima Prefecture for many years, and is popular as a mealtime sake that accompanies any dish.

"Yahatagawa" is the representative brand of Yahatagawa Shuzo, which has been loved locally since its founding. In particular, "Nigori Sake" boasts one of the highest popularity in Hiroshima Prefecture, and is characterized by rich rice umami and a thick mouthfeel. Using soft water from Mt. Gokurakuji, the taste that you never get tired of drinking throughout the four seasons has a reputation as a daily drinking sake for dinner.

"Shinrai" is the flagship brand of Miwa Shuzo, brewed at the highest elevation in Hiroshima Prefecture. The name derives from a miraculous event where the brewery was struck by lightning but remained unharmed, and from the location name "Jinseki" (God's Stone). It embodies the wish that customers drink with "trust" (Shinrai). Using a unique method of differentiating between soft and medium-hard water, and Hiroshima's traditional soft water brewing method, it is a sake for meals that draws out the umami of rice. Traditional Kimoto brewing was also revived in 2018.

"Mitaniharu" is a historical brand named by Kozan Sakai, a Confucian scholar of the Edo period who was active with Shunsui Rai, the father of Sanyo Rai. Named after the water springing from the three valleys of Kurahashi Island, the title on the label was written by Itsuna Rai, the eldest son of Sanyo Rai. Using clear water peculiar to the granite zone and careful brewing managed by the Toji for all processes, it creates a taste that combines transparency and richness.

"Hanahato" is a brand world-famous for its luxurious "Kijoshu", which uses sake instead of brewing water. It is characterized by rich and mellow sweetness and a complex and deep taste due to aging, and has won numerous Gold Medals and Trophies at the IWC (International Wine Challenge). Boasting a diverse lineup such as old sake aged for 8 years or more and oak barrel aged sake, they continue to propose new ways to enjoy sake, such as an aperitif, dessert wine, or pouring over ice cream.

"Kirei" is a famous sake of Saijo derived from the words "Cranes live for a thousand years, turtles live for ten thousand years", filled with wishes for longevity and prosperity. In the crisp and dry taste, you can feel a sharp throat feel and a warm umami, and it does not bore the drinker. It is a standard for evening drinks loved by the people of Hiroshima Prefecture, and it is a brand that delivers happiness and peace to the daily dining table.

"Fukucho" is the flagship brand of Imada Sake Brewery, born from the climate of Akitsu, the birthplace of Ginjo sake, and an innovative spirit. It is characterized by a complex yet crisp taste that maximizes the individuality of the unique sake rice "Hattanso." Brewed with the delicate sensibility unique to a female master brewer, it combines an elegant aroma that is not too flashy with a gentle umami that accompanies meals. It pairs perfectly with Seto Inland Sea seafood, especially oysters and white fish, and has gained strong support from sommeliers and chefs around the world.

"Miwa Sakura" is the representative brand of Miwa Sakura Shuzo, nurtured by the nature and climate of Miwa-cho, Miyoshi City. Using 100% Miyoshi-grown rice polished in-house and making firm koji, it is finished as "savory" sake that maximizes the original umami of rice. The taste with a sense of security that does not change whenever you drink it, without being influenced by trends, continues to be loved not only by locals but also by many fans. It is a bottle where you can enjoy its mellow aroma and taste whether cold or warm.

"Houken" is a brand renowned as the "ultimate food sake" representing Hiroshima. As proven by numerous awards at SAKE COMPETITION, it has a reputation for Junmai sake brewing, and while having the softness peculiar to Hiroshima's soft water, the aftertaste that cuts sharply is attractive. "Retro Label" and others have a classic yet sophisticated taste, and are loved as excellent supporting actors that enhance meals regardless of the drinker.

"Zuikan" is the representative brand of Yamaoka Shuzo, a particular sake using sake rice cultivated as their own preserved rice, including the phantom sake rice "Kame no O." The sake nurtured by the medium soft spring water "Arita Shimizu" flowing from the mountains and the climate of the plateau with temperature differences combines mellow umami and a crisp aftertaste. It has received extremely high praise not only as cold sake but also as warm sake, such as winning the Gold Prize at the "National Kan Sake Contest." It has a high degree of perfection as a "food sake" that does not interfere with the meal but rather enhances it, and is a masterpiece that becomes deeper in taste as you drink it.

"Miyuki" is the representative brand of Koizumi Honten, named to commemorate the honor of Emperor Meiji's visit. Brewed in the same brewery as the sacred sake of Itsukushima Shrine, it uses sake rice from Hiroshima Prefecture and underground water from the Chugoku Mountains, and is characterized by a rich aroma and elegant sweetness. The taste nurtured by the prestigious history and the climate of Hiroshima is loved as sake for celebratory occasions and as a souvenir for visiting Itsukushima Shrine.

"Kamoizumi" is a brand that symbolizes Saijo and is a sake that embodies pride as a pioneer of Junmai sake. The pale golden color that remains by daring not to perform carbon filtration is proof that the original umami and nutrients of the rice are alive. The rich and mellow aroma and the deep, rich taste have been loved by many fans for many years as a sake to accompany meals that can be enjoyed both cold and warmed.

"Senfuku" is a representative local sake of Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and the flagship brand of Miyake Honten. Adopted as the purveyor sake of the former Imperial Navy, it has a history of being loaded on ships of the Combined Fleet including the battleship "Yamato," and was loved by many navy personnel. Continuing to inherit that tradition, they pursue a "flavorful and soft taste" rooted in the climate of Hiroshima, and continue to make sake that accompanies daily life.

"Kamotsuru" is the representative brand of Kamotsuru Shuzo named in 1873 (Meiji 6), and is known nationwide as a synonym for Hiroshima sake. The representative "Daiginjo Tokusei Gold Kamotsuru" is also famous for being served at a dinner when former President Obama visited Japan, and its elegant appearance with cherry blossom petal-shaped gold leaf dancing is perfect for celebratory occasions. It is the royal road of sake combining quality and formality, continuing to evolve while protecting tradition.

"Kyokuhou" is the representative brand inheriting the traditions of Kyokuhou Shuzo since its founding. Using sake rice grown in Hiroshima Prefecture and underground water from the Ota River, it is carefully brewed with the skills of Hiroshima Toji. It is characterized by a firm feeling of the umami of rice, while the aftertaste is refreshing and sharp. It can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from cold sake to hot sake, and is an ideal bottle as a sake during meals to enjoy with daily meals.

"Honshu-Ichi" is the representative brand of Umeda Shuzojo, named with the wish to "create the number one sake in Japan." Brewed with sake rice such as Hiroshima Prefecture's Yamada Nishiki and Senbon Nishiki, and the pure underground water of Mt. Iwataki, it is characterized by a mellow and fruity aroma and a clean aftertaste with transparency. It has received extremely high acclaim internationally in recent years, including winning the Platinum and Gold prizes at Kura Master and the Trophy at the IWC.

"Hakuko" is the representative brand of Morikawa Shuzo, brewed using ultra-soft water from Mt. Noro. Derived from "White Large Bird (Otori)," it embodies the wish to be elegant like a large bird dancing in the sky and to make those who drink it happy. Its greatest feature is a mellow and savory taste aimed at being the ultimate food sake. The softness unique to soft water brewing and the crispness that shines with the skill of the Hiroshima Toji coexist, boasting a high quality of sake that you never get tired of drinking. It is a gentle sake that permeates the heart, filled with the thoughts of Toji Motoharu Morikawa, "I want you to relax and feel warm."

"Saijotsuru" is a brand named by combining the place name "Saijo" and "Tsuru" (Crane), which is considered a symbol of longevity and an auspicious bird. It is known for high-quality sake brewing, led by the Junmai Daiginjo Genshu "Shinzui," which has won consecutive Monde Selection Gold Awards and received high scores from world-renowned wine critic Robert Parker. While possessing the softness and umami unique to Hiroshima, it combines the strength of core that does not lose to the sauce of Okonomiyaki, making it an ideal sake to accompany food.

"Ryusei" is the finest brand brewed by Fujii Shuzo, founded in 1863, and has a glorious history of receiving the highest award at the first National New Sake Appraising and Deliberating Fair in 1907. Brewed in Takehara City facing the Seto Inland Sea, the brewery's dedication is maintained through limited distribution to specialty stores. Placing importance on sake brewing that enhances the individuality of food, it is characterized by a sophisticated taste that harmonizes refreshing acidity, umami, and a sharp aftertaste. While protecting tradition, it continues to evolve with the times, and as a famous supporting actor accompanying meals, it is a brand that brings out the deliciousness of all kinds of dishes.

"Otafuku" is the representative brand of Tsuka Shuzo, which has continued since 1848 in Akitsu, the birthplace of Hiroshima Ginjo sake. It is also known as a historical brand that won first place in the first National Sake Appraisal in the Meiji era, proving the superiority of the soft water brewing method. While protecting the taste of the good old days, it features the warmth unique to handcrafted sake and a smooth mouthfeel due to soft water brewing. Having revived from the torrential rain disaster, it is brewed with even more thoughts for the region, and is a bottle that makes you feel the history and pride of Akitsu.

"Kamo Kinshu" is the flagship brand launched by Hideki Kanemitsu, the 5th generation brewer of Kanemitsu Shuzo. With the concept of "Fresh & Juicy," it is brewed through careful processes such as hand-filling and bottle pasteurization, and is characterized by a dynamic taste that intentionally retains the gas feeling of freshly pressed sake. When you put it in your mouth, the umami of rice and refreshing acidity spread along with a fizzy stimulation like light carbonation, and it is gaining nationwide popularity as a new type of sake that accompanies modern meals.