Sake Brands
in Ibaraki

"Fuchu Homare" is a brand that bears the history and pride of the region, brewed by a long-established brewery founded in the first year of Ansei (1854). "Fuchu" is the old name for Ishioka, where the provincial capital of Hitachi was located. In the land of Ishioka, called "Nada of Kanto," it is brewed with high-quality groundwater from the "Fuchu Rokui" system, famous water of Ishioka, protecting traditional tools and methods inherited for generations. It features a full-bodied and fragrant taste, filled with the blessings of nature at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba and the passion of the brewers.

"Taiheikai (Pacific Ocean)" is a brand brewed by Fuchu Homare with the theme of cuddling up to Japan's four seasons. It expresses both the blessings of the sea of Ibaraki facing the Pacific Ocean and the rich fruits of the inland areas. It has a lineup that values seasonal tastes, such as sparkling in summer, origarami (cloudy) in spring, and unfiltered in winter. Considering the compatibility with seasonal ingredients first, the gentle and sharp sake quality that does not make you tired of drinking as a sake during meals is attractive.

"Wataribune" is a representative and innovative brand of Fuchu Homare, brewed by reviving the phantom sake rice "Tankan Wataribune." This rice, which is the parent line of "Yamada Nishiki," had once ceased cultivation, but the brewery revived it from a few seeds. It features a multi-layered and rich taste unique to this rice and a gorgeous aroma like fruit. Highly evaluated both in Japan and overseas, it is a one-and-only gem that makes you feel the historical romance and terroir of sake.

"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.

"Tsukuba" is a brand named after Mt. Tsukuba, the symbol of Ibaraki Prefecture, brewed by Ishioka Shuzo. It bore the majesty of the famous peak, which is praised alongside Mt. Fuji, in its sake name. With high-end lines such as Daiginjo "Tsukuba Murasaki no Mine," its sake quality made you feel the rich blessings of the Mt. Tsukuba water system. Although the brewery is currently closed, it was loved as a brand representing local pride.

"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.

"Yoizuru" is a prestigious brand brewed by Ishioka Shuzo, bearing the crane, a symbol of longevity and good fortune, in its sake name. It contains a refined scene of enjoying intoxication elegantly and comfortably like a crane. It featured a dignified taste suitable for gifts and celebratory occasions. Although the brewery is currently closed, it was known as one of the brands that gathered the essence of Ishioka's sake-brewing technology.

"SEN" is an innovative brand by Hirose Shoten that embodies the concept of "Ippo Isshu" (one field, one sake). It is an initiative that pursues the terroir of the land to the limit by using only rice harvested from a specific single rice field. By sticking to rice from a single farmer and a single field, it purely expresses the climate and soil characteristics of that year. It has received high praise as a new style of enjoying the individuality of the "field" like wine, transcending the conventional concept of sake. It features a fruity and rich taste and sake brewing that maximizes the different expressions of rice each year.

"Kasumi no Sato" is a brand that expresses the terroir of historical Ishioka, located on the banks of the Koise River that flows into Lake Kasumigaura. The sake name bears the peaceful rural landscape around Lake Kasumigaura and the waterfront scenery. It is a Junmai sake brewed with traditional methods using 100% "Hitachi Nishiki," a sake rice suitable for brewing from Ibaraki Prefecture. While being mellow, it has a pleasant sharpness, and its sake quality is designed with compatibility with local Ishioka food, especially the famous lake products, in mind. It is a regional gem where you can feel the umami of rice in a wide range of temperatures from chilled to room temperature.

"Oyajinakase" (available as "Oyaji Nakase") is a popular brand known for its unique name and reliable quality. The name "Oyaji Nakase" (making father cry) contains a playful spirit of making father cry (with joy) with delicious sake, or being so delicious that father wants to keep it to himself. It is a sake with a story born from the encounter between Hirose Shoten and a farmer who cultivates Yamada Nishiki from Hyogo Prefecture. It features not only a topic for conversation but also an authentic taste where the technology of the brewery with a history of more than 200 years is gathered. It is popular as a gift from sons and daughters to their fathers and is chosen by many people as a cup that deepens family bonds.

"Kobai Ichirin" (available as "Koubai Ichirin") is a brand that expresses the elegant scene of a single red plum blossom. It overlaps the neat beauty of plum blossoms that herald the arrival of spring with the delicate charm of sake. It features an elegant and balanced taste in which the traditional sake-brewing technology of Hirose Shoten lives. It is finished as light and dry (Tanrei Karakuchi), has a smooth mouthfeel, and the aroma and taste are in harmony. Its sake quality brings out the taste of delicate dishes, and its neat charm stands out especially when drunk chilled.

"Shiragiku" is a traditional representative brand that has protected Hirose Shoten since its founding in the second year of Bunka (1805). It is brewed utilizing the high-quality brewing water of the Mt. Tsukuba water system and the cold climate of the region. Characterized by strong acidity and a rich, mellow taste, it combines umami and body that you will not get tired of drinking. It has been loved for many years as a "versatile sake" that can be enjoyed at any temperature from chilled to hot. With a solid body and firm acidity, it is a brand that continues to pursue the ideal form of sake that accompanies meals and richly colors the daily dining table.

"Tsukuba no Hakubai" is a brand that bears the name of Mt. Tsukuba, the symbol of Ibaraki, and white plum blossoms that symbolize the arrival of spring. It is brewed using the pure groundwater of the Mt. Tsukuba water system and carefully selected rice. It is known as a Honjozo sake characterized by a sharp finish and a rich taste that you will not get tired of drinking. It is crafted by Hirose Shoten's traditional technology as sake that adds color to the daily dining table. It can be enjoyed at various temperatures from chilled to hot, and its gentle aroma and flavor that bring out the taste of food are attractive.

"Fujiizumi" is the representative brand of Fujita Shuzoten, which boasts the second-oldest history in Japan, founded in 1462. Since moving to Ishioka to avoid the fires of the Onin War, it has continued to mark more than 550 years of history. The name embodies the philosophy of aiming for "sake that is as grand as Mt. Fuji and as pure as a spring," and it is a prestigious local sake that was praised by Lord Mito Mitsukuni in ancient times. It has a deep richness backed by tradition within a refreshing taste, and it is a cup full of historical romance that has been loved by locals for a long time.

"Keisen" is a traditional brand of Shimazaki Shuzo, which boasts the oldest history in Hitachi City, founded in 1716 (first year of Kyoho). Its name is derived from the "Otakaido" well on the premises that springs from a depth of 135 meters. The name contains gratitude for the precious well water that has provided blessings to people without ever running dry even in any drought. Sake brewed with this pure water is characterized by a smooth, refreshing, and fresh taste. It is a representative local sake of Hitachi that has walked a history of more than 300 years along with the local food culture.

"Tama no Shizuku" is a brand used by Shimazaki Shuzo for higher grades such as Junmai sake. It contains the brewery's hope to cherish each and every drop that is as beautiful and precious as a "Tama" (jewel). It is also certified as a regional brand of Hitachi City, and it features a taste in which a clean and refreshing mouthfeel and a rich and full-bodied flavor are in harmony. In particular, Junmai Ginjo with a gorgeous aroma is very popular with women, and it is a brand that conveys the new charm of Shimazaki Shuzo, where urban sophistication and traditional skills are fused.

"Any." is an innovative brand by Kikunoka Shuzo that embodies the concept of "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime." While cherishing the tradition of sake, it pursues a taste that melts into modern lifestyles. By using traditional techniques such as Kimoto-style brewing, it is finished with a modern and clear mouthfeel, and is familiar to a wide range of people from sake beginners to enthusiasts. It is a brand that symbolizes a new era of sake, nurtured in the rich nature of Juo-machi, Hitachi City.