Sake Brands
in Ibaraki

"Sato no Homare" is the representative brand of Sudo Honke, a Junmai Daiginjo filled with tradition and innovation since its founding. Without carbon filtration, it seals in the fresh flavor just after pressing. It has won numerous awards in global competitions and is used in three-star restaurants overseas, making it a premium sake loved all over the world.

"Takimomiji" is a brand that was once brewed by Takita Shuzojo. With a beautiful name reminiscent of the elegant scene of waterfalls and autumn leaves, it was loved as a local sake of Mito. Although it has now become a phantom brand, its name is remembered along with the culture of Mito.

"Mitsuoogi" is a traditional brand that was once brewed by Takita Shuzojo. It is derived from the auspicious design of three folding fans overlapping, which symbolizes expanding prosperity (Suehirogari). As sake that colored the celebratory seats and daily dining tables of Mito, it was loved for a long time.

"Hyakusai" is a brand of long-aged sake brewed by Yoshikubo Shuzo. As the name suggests, it contains the wish to be "cheerful until 100 years old." It features a mellow taste and a rich aroma due to aging. It is an auspicious sake ideal for gifts on special days and longevity celebrations.

"Ippin" is the representative brand of Yoshikubo Shuzo, brewed with famous water related to the Mito domain. As the name suggests, it was named with the aim of being an "Ippin (One Item/Masterpiece)" sticking to quality. The dry and clear refreshing taste goes perfectly with local dishes. It has been highly evaluated in domestic and international competitions and is widely familiar as a local sake representing Mito.

"SABA de SHU" is a sake dedicated to mackerel (Saba), unique to Ibaraki Prefecture, which boasts the largest landing volume of mackerel in Japan. By blending multiple sakes and intentionally increasing acidity and amino acids, it is finished with a taste that enhances umami while washing away mackerel fat. It is a unique and innovative sake where you can enjoy the best marriage with mackerel dishes.

"Ogurayama" is a brand named after the elegant name of "Ogurayama" in Kyoto, a poetic place name (Utamakura) also sung in Hyakunin Isshu. Brewed with Meiri Shurui's traditional skills, it features an elegant taste that you never get tired of drinking. It is a standard sake of Mito loved widely from daily evening drinks to gifts.

"Zuiho Shizan" is a brand with an elegant name that combines the auspicious bird "Zuiho" (Phoenix) and the mountain of "Purple," which is considered a noble color. Reflecting the careful brewing of Meiri Shurui, the elegant taste is attractive. It is a prestigious sake that is appreciated as a cup for celebratory days and also as a gift.

"Suifu Jiman" is a brand that bears the old name of Mito, "Suifu," and contains pride in the local area. Using "No. 10 Yeast (Ogawa Yeast)" developed by Meiri Shurui, it features a refreshing taste with low acidity and high aroma. It is a local sake that has been loved locally, making you feel the history and climate of Mito.

"Yukiyozuki" (Snowy Moon) is an innovative Daiginjo sake jointly developed by Meiri Shurui and "Yukihana Lamy," a VTuber belonging to Hololive. Born from "Lamy's Sake Brewing Project," it uses Meiri Shurui's unique M310 yeast and features a taste that maximizes the sweetness and umami of rice. It is a bottle evaluated worldwide, such as winning a Bronze Medal in the Daiginjo category at the IWC (International Wine Challenge) 2022.

"Fukushogun" is the representative brand of Meiri Shurui, named after Tokugawa Mitsukuni, popularly known as Mito Komon. It is brewed with the skills of Nanbu Toji, using "Ogawa Yeast" originated from Meiri Shurui and carefully selected brewing rice. Characterized by a gorgeous aroma and a light taste, it is a talented sake that has won numerous gold medals at appraisals.

"Kiuchi" is a carefully selected brand bearing the name of Kiuchi Shuzo. It is brewed using traditional skills and carefully selected ingredients. Features a taste that reflects careful sake brewing, which can be said to be the origin of Kiuchi Shuzo. Among Kiuchi Shuzo which develops various alcoholic beverages, it is a bottle that pursues the essence of sake.

"Kikusakari" is the founding brand of Kiuchi Shuzo. Its name was given by Fujita Toko, a Confucian scholar of the Mito domain, with the wish that "the country will prosper just as chrysanthemums bloom in full glory." Using carefully selected brewing rice, it is carefully brewed by hand. It is a sake with a gorgeous and mellow taste that symbolizes the history and tradition of Kiuchi Shuzo.

"Mitsukuni" is the representative brand of Hiyama Shuzo, bearing the name of Tokugawa Mitsukuni (Mito Komon), who is related to Hitachiota. It is brewed near Seizan-so, where Lord Mitsukuni spent his later years. It features a mellow aroma and a rich and deep taste. It is a popular sake as a gift that makes you feel history and romance.

"Senhime" is a brand named after Senhime, the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu who lived a turbulent life. It is a sake unique to the place related to Senhime, who rests at Gugyo-ji Temple. Using Ibaraki Prefecture's original brewing rice "Hitachi Nishiki," it is finished with a mellow taste that makes use of the umami of rice. It is a sake with an elegant and gentle mouthfeel that is easy for women to drink.

"Asahi Masamune" is a traditional brand that Hiyama Shuzo has protected for many years. It was named with the wish for the momentum of "Kyokujitsu Shoten (Rising Sun)" and the sharpness like the famous sword "Masamune." It features a refreshing taste that you will never get tired of, which continues to be loved by the people of Hitachiota locally. It is an old-fashioned local sake that accompanies daily evening drinks.

"Hinodetsuru" is the representative brand of Isaka Shuzoten since its founding. It is a sake with a festive name combining "Sunrise" (Hinode) and "Crane" (Tsuru), which are very auspicious words for Japanese people. Sticking to rice and water of the Satomi district, it features a mellow taste that you never get tired of drinking. It is a local sake rooted in the community, indispensable for local people's celebratory seats and daily evening drinks.

"Tokaizan" is a brand that was brewed by Tokai Shuzo, which had a brewery in Hitachiota City. Meaning "Big Mountain in the East," it was made in an environment surrounded by nature in the Satomi district. Although currently out of business, it is remembered as one of the historic local sakes loved by local people.

"Tsukinoi" is the representative brand of Tsukinoi Shuzoten, named after the sea and moon of Oarai. It is said that its name comes from a passage in Iso-bushi, "The autumn moon riding on the back of the waves." Brewed with methods that spare no effort, such as traditional Yamahai preparation and Kimoto structure, it features the original umami of rice and sharp acidity. It goes perfectly with Oarai's fresh seafood and has been loved for a long time as a sake to accompany food.

"Tomoju" is the representative brand of Aiyu Shuzo, named with the auspicious meaning of "Celebrate (Kotohogu) with friends." Using locally produced brewing rice "Gohyakumangoku" and spring water from "Omoido" which shares the same source as Kashima Shrine, it is brewed carefully. With a taste that combines gorgeousness and lightness, it is a sake suitable for coloring celebratory seats.