Sake Brands
in Ibaraki

"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.

"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.

"Ararefuri" is a brand with an elegant name derived from Kashima's pillow word (Makurakotoba) "Ararefuri," which is also sung in Manyoshu. It is a sake unique to the land deeply related to Kashima Shrine. Using pure water and rice from Itako, it is slowly brewed in the cold of winter. It features a graceful and elegant taste that makes you feel the scent of history and literature.

"Bunka" was a brand brewed by Tomine Shuzo, which had a history founded in 1805 (Kyowa 1). As local sake of Suigo Itako, it had been loved in the region for many years. In 1982, the brewery switched from sake brewing to a discount store business as "Itako Daikokuten," but it is currently out of business. It is one of the memorable brands that convey the history of sake brewing in Itako.

"Kikuichi" was a brand brewed by Inou Shuzoten, founded in 1865 (Keio 1). It featured a light and dry refreshing taste that utilized the climate of the Ogawa district in Omitama City. The brand name "Kikuichi" contained the wish for everlasting prosperity, meaning "Forever (Kikuhisahしく) for a lifetime (Issei)." Although currently out of business, it is remembered as a sake that walked with the history of the region.

"Takenoha" was the representative brand of Takenoha Shuzo, located in Namegata City. Blessed with the rich water and nature of Lake Kasumigaura, it was loved as a sake with a refreshing and dignified taste like bamboo leaves. Although currently out of business, it is remembered as local sake of Namegata.

"Azuma Takenoha" was another brand brewed by Takenoha Shuzo. Named emphasizing regionality as Takenoha of "Azuma no Kuni (Kanto)," it was a naming that emphasized regionality more. In the land of Namegata, which flourished with water transportation on Lake Kasumigaura, it was loved as a sake that cuddled up to the lives of local people. Currently out of business, its name remains as part of the history of sake brewing in the region.

"Okabe" is another representative brand of Okabe Gomei, bearing the name of the founding family. It is a series that specializes in expressing terroir by fusing tradition and innovation. It is brewed with particular methods, such as rice cultivation in cooperation with local farmers and brewing by the brewery owner himself. It features a deep taste that reflects the climate of Hitachiota.

"Komonbayashi" is a brand commemorating the land associated with Mito Komon (Lord Tokugawa Mitsukuni). It was named after the fact that Seizanso, where Lord Mitsukuni retired, is located in Hitachiota City. It contains Okabe Gomei's desire to cherish local history and culture, and is also popular as a souvenir for sightseeing. It features a refreshing mouthfeel and a taste that complements dishes.

"Honaigo" is a brand that images the rural landscape of Hitachiota, a village (Sato / Go) where rice ears (Ho) ripen. It contains gratitude for the rich nature of the Sato River basin and the rice grown there. Using high-quality local rice and water, it is finished with a simple and gentle taste that makes you feel the nostalgia of your hometown. It is a comforting local sake that cuddles up to daily evening drinks.

"Hirusagari no Rendezvous (Rendezvous in the Afternoon)" is a brand that expresses a new way of enjoying sake proposed by Okabe Gomei. It images a casual scene like enjoying leisurely in the afternoon of a holiday. It features a light and fruity taste that is friendly to sake entry layers. With unique naming and label design, it is a bottle that adds color to daily life.

"Akudaikan (Evil Magistrate)" is a brand with outstanding impact, motificating the villain familiar in period dramas. It contains playfulness and humor unique to the land associated with Mito Komon. Contrary to the intensity of the name, the contents are authentic sake carefully brewed by Okabe Gomei. It is a topical bottle that livens up the place as a party or gift.

"Sukesan Kakusan" is a brand with the motif of the two attendants familiar in Mito Komon's travelogue. It expresses the historical connection between Hitachiota and the Mito Tokugawa family in a friendly manner. Aiming to be a sake like a famous supporting role that cuddles up to dishes and livens up the meal, just as they support Lord Komon in a three-legged race. It is a taste that can be enjoyed with peace of mind, brewed with the reliable technology of Okabe Gomei.

"Kinpakangetsu (Gold Waves, Cold Moon)" is an elegant brand that expresses the beauty of the water surface illuminated by moonlight. A scene like admiring the waves and the moon shining in gold on a quiet winter night comes to mind. It is a Daiginjo sake characterized by a delicate and elegant aroma and a transparent taste. As a dining table for a special day or a gift for a loved one, it creates an elegant time.

"Ryujin Bungee" is an impactful brand named after Japan's largest bungee jump at the famous "Ryujin Big Suspension Bridge" in Hitachiota City. It was born for the purpose of supporting local tourism resources. True to its name, it features a sharp taste that makes you feel the momentum and exhilaration of jumping in. With outstanding topicality, it is a bottle that is sure to attract attention at souvenirs and party scenes.

"Shien" is a brand full of love for the hometown, bearing the character "Ibara" of Ibaraki Prefecture. "En" means garden, expressing the rich climate of Ibaraki itself. It is loved locally as a standard sake for evening drinks. It is characterized by a well-balanced taste that you will not get tired of drinking, which can be enjoyed either cold or warmed.

"Goendane (It's Fate/Connection)" is a brand with a wish to cherish connections and fate between people. With a friendly naming, it creates a harmonious atmosphere. While being in an affordable price range, it has a drinkable and mellow taste where Okabe Gomei's careful making lives. It is also appreciated as a small souvenir or a gift to convey gratitude.

"Gouretsu" is the representative brand of Gouretsu Shuzo, founded at the end of the Edo period. It was named by taking one character each from "Go" of the founder Goichiro and "Retsu" of Lord Tokugawa Nariaki (Lord Retsu), the lord of the Mito domain. Based on the belief that "sake should be dry," it features a robust and sharp dry taste using hard water. It is known as a powerful masculine sake where rich aroma, rich umami, and sharp finish are in harmony.

"Junko" is another brand produced by Gouretsu Shuzo, possessing a personality contrasting with the robust dry "Gouretsu." Bearing a female name, it was created aiming for a soft and approachable taste. It is finished with a gentle mouthfeel so that those who are not familiar with sake or those who are not good at dry sake can enjoy it. It is a series that proposes a new charm of sake while utilizing the reliable technology of Gouretsu Shuzo.

"Fukuyoi" is the representative brand brewed by Ota Meijo, founded in the first year of Genji (1864). The name contains the wish to "enjoy intoxication richly (Fuku) and for a long time (Hisashiku)." Aiming for sake that you will not get tired of drinking and can associate with for a long time, it is carefully brewed with the rich nature and high-quality water of Hitachiota. Characterized by a gentle and deep taste that cuddles up to the local food culture, it is a standard sake for evening drinks that continues to be loved by locals.

"Sakigake (Pioneer)" is a brand that symbolizes Fuchu Homare's attitude of challenging the possibilities of new sake. As the name "Sakigake" implies, it aims to brew sake that is always at the forefront of the times while preserving tradition. While cherishing the identity as local sake of Ibaraki, it pursues a sophisticated taste that matches modern tastes. It is a bottle rich in enterprising spirit, refreshing and easy to drink, giving new discoveries and surprises.

"Hakushika" is a representative brand brewed by Ishioka Shuzo. White deer have been revered as sacred animals representing good omens since ancient times, and it was loved as an auspicious brand name. Although the brewery is currently closed, it is remembered as one of the brands that walked with the local food culture in historical Ishioka, where the provincial capital of Hitachi was located.

"Juzan" is a brand brewed by Ishioka Shuzo that added color to celebratory occasions. It is an auspicious sake name combining "Ju" (longevity/celebration) and "Zan" (mountain), which evokes the local mountains. It was valued as sake for gifts and auspicious events. Although the brewery is currently closed, it was familiar to local people as sake for conveying feelings of blessing.

"Komeoto (Voice of Rice)" is a brand brewed by Ishioka Shuzo that pursued the charm of rice. The poetic name "Komeoto" expresses the commitment to the raw rice and the delicate process of sake brewing. The sake quality aimed to maximize the original umami of rice, and it was developed mainly around Junmai Ginjo. Although the brewery is currently closed, it was a brand loved by fans for its unique sensitivity and taste.

"Ishioka Koisehime" is a brand brewed by Ishioka Shuzo that incorporated local legends and had rich regional characteristics. It was born to convey the elegant image of the Koise River flowing through Ishioka City and the charm of the region. It was brewed aiming for feminine elegance and a gorgeous, approachable taste. Although the brewery is currently closed, it is remembered as one of the sakes that conveys local culture.