Sake Brands
in Ibaraki

"Kappa Zakura" is one of the brands of Shihaizakura Shuzo and belongs to the brewery's "Shihaizakura" brand family. It is a friendly brand that values the Kappa (water imp) legend handed down in the local Toride City and regionality. Using high-quality water and carefully selected rice, it features a light and savory (tanrei umakuchi) sake quality that you will never get tired of drinking. It is attractive for its sharp aftertaste without added sugars and has been loved mainly in the local Toride City. They brew sake utilizing the abundant underground water of the Tone River and continue to protect the manufacturing method rooted in the region. As a daily sake that can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from chilled to warmed, it continues to color the local dining table.

"Kiritsukuba" is the representative brand of Urazato Shuzoten, a local sake brewed in Tsukuba City at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba. The brand name comes from the mist (kiri) that hangs over Mt. Tsukuba, and is deeply rooted in the natural environment of this region. It features a light, dry, and refreshing taste that enhances meals, and is consumed at a very high rate locally, making it a familiar brand rooted in the region. It is a brand fully developed by the 5th generation brewery head, Koji Urazato, and aims for sake brewing that expresses the climate of Tsukuba. Using underground water from Mt. Tsukuba and brewing taking advantage of the local climate, it is known as a "true local sake" with more than 90% consumed within Ibaraki Prefecture. Pursuing ease of drinking as a sake during meals, they finish it with a balanced sake quality that allows you to feel the original umami of rice while enhancing the taste of the dish. As a brand that walks with Tsukuba's food culture, it continues to be loved by locals.

"Fukuwarai" is a traditional brand of Urazato Shuzoten since its founding. The brand name contains the auspicious meaning of bringing smiles and good fortune, and is associated with the fun and happiness of "Fukuwarai" (a traditional Japanese New Year's game). As a brand that tells the history of Urazato Shuzoten, it has been loved locally for many years. Brewing sake utilizing the rich natural environment of Tsukuba and the underground water of Mt. Tsukuba, they pursue a taste that harmonizes with the local food culture. While inheriting the tradition since its founding, they also aim for a sake quality that suits modern tastes. Mainly in the local Tsukuba City, it is enjoyed in a wide range of situations from celebrations to daily evening drinks as an auspicious brand that calls for good luck.

"Urazato" is a new generation brand brewed by the 6th generation brewery head, Chikara Urazato. A major feature is the use of Ogawa yeast, which is known as a ginjo yeast that Ibaraki Prefecture is proud of. It has a deep and mellow taste that brings out the umami and sweetness of rice, and a gentle fruity scent reminiscent of bananas and melons unique to Ogawa yeast spreads. The young brewery head toji, Chikara Urazato, trained at breweries outside the prefecture and the National Research Institute of Brewing, and continues new challenges based on tradition. His high technical skills are evaluated, such as receiving the Nanbu Toji Association Chairman's Award, the top prize in the ginjo sake section of the Nanbu Toji Self-Brewed Sake Competition. Aiming for a sake quality different from the conventional "Kiritsukuba," he pursues sake that is more gorgeous and suits modern tastes. While making use of local Tsukuba rice and water, it is attracting attention as a brand that shows the way of local sake in a new era.

"Hitorimusume" (Only Daughter) is the representative brand of Yamanaka Shuzoten. Brewed on the banks of the Kinugawa River, this sake features a smooth mouthfeel and mellow taste due to soft water brewing. The brand name was named after the thought of "brewing sake carefully as if raising an only daughter." The sake quality created by the skills cultivated over a long history and careful brewing makes you firmly feel the umami of rice even though it is light. It is ideal as a sake during meals and is loved as a famous supporting role that enhances the taste of dishes. As a sake that continues to be loved by locals, they continue to protect unchanged quality and taste.

"Tsumugibijin" is the representative brand of Nomura Jozo, and has been loved in the local Joso City since its founding in 1897. The brand name was named after the image of a beautiful woman who looks good in a kimono made of "Yuki Tsumugi," a local specialty of this region. Using rich soft water from the Kinugawa River and carefully selected high-quality rice, they insist on careful hand-made methods. It features a plump scent and a soft mouthfeel with a sharp taste, realizing a sake quality that you will never get tired of drinking. It is highly evaluated internationally, such as winning a gold medal at "Kura Master" in France. It goes well with meals and is familiar as a sake that colors the daily dining table.

"Shinsen" is one of the brands brewed by Inaba Shuzo, and is a sake inheriting the tradition of the brewery which has a history as the sacred sake of Mt. Tsukuba Shrine. The brand name is associated with the gods of Mt. Tsukuba, expressing a sacred and pure image. Taking advantage of the location at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba, they brew sake using the underground water of Mt. Tsukuba that springs up on the premises. Inheriting the tradition from ancient times, they practice sake brewing deeply connected to the local natural environment. It aims for a sake quality that harmonizes with local food culture with a taste that allows you to feel the climate of Tsukuba. As a brand deeply connected to Mt. Tsukuba worship, it conveys the history and culture of the region to the present.

"Minanogawa" is a brand derived from the famous spot "Minanogawa" in Mt. Tsukuba, which was sung in Hyakunin Isshu. Using spring water from Mt. Tsukuba and the highest quality sake brewing rice, they insist on all-pure rice brewing where all processes are done by hand. This sake brewed by the 6th generation brewery head and female toji, Nobuko Inaba, features a delicate, gentle, and transparent taste. A gorgeous scent, elegant sweetness, and a sharp aftertaste harmonize, aiming for a sake quality that heals the drinker's heart. There is also a history of winning awards at the IWC (International Wine Challenge), and its high quality is recognized both in Japan and overseas. As a true local sake expressing the nature and history of Mt. Tsukuba, it fascinates many fans.

"Makabe" is a traditional brand brewed by Murai Jozo, derived from the historic town "Makabe" where the brewery is located. Makabe has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and it is a brand that expresses the atmospheric townscape and history. Using underground water from the Mt. Tsukuba system and carefully selected sake brewing rice, it is brewed carefully by hand. The sake matured slowly in the stone warehouse of Makabe features a mellow and deep taste. As a local sake symbolizing the history and culture of the region, it is familiar not only to locals but also to tourists visiting Makabe.

"Komei" is the representative brand of Murai Jozo, which has continued for over 300 years in Makabe. The brand name comes from "Komei Seidai" (Fair and Square), and contains the brewery's belief of facing sake brewing with a pure and correct heart. Brewed carefully with traditional skills using underground water from Mt. Tsukuba, this sake features a light, dry, and refreshing mouthfeel. The balance between the umami of rice and sharpness is exquisite, finishing in a taste that you will never tire of drinking. As a local sake indispensable for traditional events and festivals in Makabe, it is deeply rooted in the lives of locals and continues to be loved.

"Hana no I" is the representative brand of Nishioka Honten. The brand name expresses the purity of the well water on the premises and the gorgeous and beautiful sake quality like a flower. Using clear water filtered through granite created by the climate of Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa City, it is brewed carefully by the hands of craftsmen. It features a rich and mellow taste that firmly brings out the umami of rice. It has received high praise in competitions both in Japan and overseas, and has a history of winning awards such as the sake competition in France, "Kura Master." It is a bottle filled with the tradition of a historic brewery and commitment to quality.

"Kaiseki" is a brand with a magnificent scale brewed by Nishioka Honten. The name contains the wish for depth and spread like the sea that spreads beyond the century. Using underground water from Mt. Tsukuba and carefully selected rice, it is carefully charged with traditional methods. It features a solid taste and sharpness, and enhances the taste of dishes as a sake during meals. As a hidden masterpiece that has walked with the history of the brewery, it is known among sake connoisseurs. While adapting to tastes that change with the times, it continues to protect the unchanging essence.

"Seiki" is the only brand brewed by Karube Shuzoten. The brand name includes the meanings of "correct feeling" and "keeping sane," expressing their attitude of facing sake brewing sincerely and earnestly. Using clear water springing from the rich earth of Makabe, executed with old-fashioned handmade brewing, this sake features a simple yet core taste. As a sake indispensable for festivals and celebrations in local Makabe, it has been loved and familiar to the people of the region for a long time.

"Maguma" is a super dry Junmai sake brand symbolizing the challenging attitude of Raifuku Shuzo. As the name suggests, it features an impactful taste filled with hot passion and energy like magma. While being extremely dry with a sake meter value of around +18, it realizes an exquisite balance where you can firmly feel the umami of rice. By using flower yeast, a gorgeous scent drifts even within the dryness, emitting a unique personality not found elsewhere. Combined with unique naming and label design, it is a brand that has become a hot topic among sake fans. It proposes a new taste that goes beyond the framework of conventional sake.

"Kiri no Hana" is a sake brand recommended by the University of Tsukuba, named after the university's emblem "Gosan no Kiri" (Paulownia). It was born from a collaboration between Raifuku Shuzo and the University of Tsukuba. Planned and developed together with students and faculty of the University of Tsukuba, it is widely used for on-campus events and as souvenirs. It features a gorgeous scent using flower yeast and an elegant and sophisticated taste. As a brand born from the cooperation between the region and the university, it is familiar to many people as a high-quality sake along with its academic background.

"Shuroku" is a brand revived and inherited by Raifuku Shuzo from the brand of Otsuka Shuzo, which used to be in Bando City. In cooperation with Bando City, they revived the famous sake that disappeared while being regretted by locals to the present day. Its quality is highly evaluated internationally, such as winning the Grand Prix at the U.S. National Sake Appraisal. It features a gorgeous scent using flower yeast and a rich taste utilizing the umami of rice. It is a significant brand that protects regional heritage and connects it to the next generation, and is loved again by people in the region centered on Bando City.

"Raifuku" is the representative brand of Raifuku Shuzo, which has been in business for over 300 years. The brand name has the auspicious meaning of "good fortune comes," and contains the wish to deliver happiness to those who drink it. The biggest feature is the use of natural flower yeasts isolated and cultured in-house. By combining flower yeasts such as rambling rose, begonia, and Dianthus superbus with carefully selected suitable rice, they realize gorgeous scents and unique, deep tastes not found in conventional sake. It is highly popular for celebratory occasions and as gifts, and has won many awards in domestic and international liquor competitions due to its high quality. It is an evolving sake that always continues to challenge new possibilities.

"Makko Shobu" is a special limited distribution brand crowned with the management philosophy of Raifuku Shuzo itself. It contains the brewery's strong will to compete head-on only with quality, allowing no compromise on sake brewing. Using carefully selected sake rice and flower yeast, it is a high-quality sake that is particular about the rice polishing ratio and brewing process. It features a gorgeous ginjo aroma and a balanced taste where the umami, sweetness, and acidity of rice harmonize. As a masterpiece that is particularly particular about quality among the many lineups, it boasts a degree of perfection that impresses sake connoisseurs.

"Chikusei" is a brand born from local love for Chikusei City, where Raifuku Shuzo is located. Expressing the rich nature and climate of Chikusei City, it is brewed aiming for sake loved by locals. Actively using locally produced rice and water, it finishes in a taste that makes you feel the terroir of Chikusei. With a refreshing mouthfeel that is easy to match with meals, it is also ideal for daily evening drinks. Often sold only in the region, it is also useful as a souvenir when visiting Chikusei City and as a gift for locals. It is a local sake deeply connected to the local food culture.