Sake Brands
in Kanagawa

Shiki no Hakone (The Four Seasons of Hakone) is a brand brewed in Matsuda Town, the gateway to the world-renowned resort area of Hakone. It captures the natural beauty and elegance of Hakone's diverse seasons—spring cherry blossoms, summer greenery, autumn leaves, and winter snowscapes—within a single cup. Defined by a flavor that is both vivid and serene, it is designed as a companion for moments spent reflecting on travel memories. Cherished by locals and tourists alike, this local sake offers a clear and pure umami that mirrors the pristine image of Hakone's scenery.

Matsumidori is the timeless flagship brand that has supported the long history of Nakazawa Shuzo. Brewed using pure water flowing from the Tanzawa mountains and meticulously handcrafted, it is defined by a richness that brings out the maximum flavor of the rice. Named after the lush greenery of Matsuda Town (Matsu meaning pine, Midori meaning green), it boasts exceptional reliability as a food-pairing sake and has been cherished locally for generations. In recent years, it has incorporated innovative additions such as series using the rare 'S.tokyo' yeast. Matsumidori is the essential identity of the brewery, where fresh challenges live atop a foundation of deep-rooted tradition.

S.tokyo is an innovative brand that highlights the 'Miracle Yeast' revived after 100 years, showcasing the cutting edge of Nakazawa Shuzo's vision. Utilizing one of Japan's oldest yeast strains, 'Saccharomyces tokyo NAKAZAWA,' originally discovered in the Taisho era, it is brewed using a traditional 'medium-temperature, short-term fermentation'—a stark departure from modern techniques. When poured into a wine glass, it reveals a harmony of elegant sweetness and a crisp acidity reminiscent of white wine, vividly redefining the image of sake. With a moderate alcohol content of 13-14%, it is captured the attention of beginners, the younger generation, and top restaurant chefs alike. S.tokyo is the pinnacle of the 'innovation through tradition' philosophy.

Ryo is a personal flagship brand named after 11th-generation head Akira (Akira/Ryo) Kagiwada, distilling his relentless curiosity and creative sensibility into every drop. Both Dr. Nakazawa and Kagiwada share the character '亮' (Ryo) in their names, a character that signifies 'illuminating things brightly.' Befitting its name, this premium, small-batch brand acts as a light guiding the brewery's future, focusing on specific conditions and rare rice varieties. Each bottle embodies the head brewer's extraordinary passion, featuring a free-spirited and transparent flavor that effortlessly transcends the weight of tradition.

Hakone Shichifukujin (The Seven Lucky Gods of Hakone) is a brand of Tokubetsu Junmai sake themed after the tradition of the Seven Lucky Gods in the Hakone region. Brewed with the hope that good fortune will follow those who visit Hakone, it offers a harmonious balance of refreshing aroma and a crisp, dry profile. It pairs wonderfully with traditional Japanese cuisine and the diverse dishes served at Hakone's historic hot spring inns. With a clear, transparent umami that reflects the pristine waters of Hakone, this 'lucky sake' is a cherished souvenir and a companion for celebrating joyous travel memories.

Yume Takao (Dreams of Takao) is a brand that embodies the brewery's desire to be a sake that inspires people to share their dreams for the future amidst the lush lands of Ashigara. To capture the serene terroir of the Takao area, the brewery delicately draws out the refined sweetness inherent in the core of the rice. Its soft texture and gentle, long-lasting finish make it perfect for quiet family gatherings or as a meaningful gift for loved ones. Entrusting a 'dream' woven by traditional craftsmanship into a single cup, this graceful sake offers a moment of true relaxation for the soul.

Sagan (Left Bank) is a brand that expresses the identity of the brewery as it stands on the left bank of the Sakawa River—the life-giving river flowing from the foot of Mount Fuji through the Ashigara Plain. It pursues a flavor that is both powerful like a river's flow and clear like its transparent waters. The fusion of carefully selected rice and the rich groundwater nurtured by the unique geology of the left bank yields a pleasant mineral touch and a crisp finish. As the name suggests, it projects the landscape of a specific place into the cup—a unique and characterful food-pairing sake that reflects the brewery's pride in its local roots.

Hakoneyama is the prestigious flagship brand representing the pride of Inoue Shuzo, crafted with a global vision in mind. Trademarked during the Meiji era as part of an early effort to export Japanese sake to Europe—a rare ambition at the time—it has long served as an ambassador conveying the grandeur of Hakone to the world. Its defining characteristics are the deep body and brilliant crispness brought forth by the pure hard water of the Sakawa River. Through traditional handcrafted methods, the brewery maximizes the inherent power of the rice, creating a dignified sake with an elegant aroma and a robust structure. With a history of numerous awards at domestic and international competitions, Hakoneyama continues to be cherished by sake enthusiasts worldwide as a superlative companion to Hakone's culinary excellence.

Hakonebara (Hakone Rose) is a glamorous and romantic brand inspired by the rare and beautiful Sanshou-bara (also known as the Hakone Rose) that grows wild in the Hakone region. More than just a name, this sake is brewed using a unique 'flower yeast' extracted from the Hakone Rose itself. Its most striking feature is the noble, floral aroma that unfolds the moment it is poured into a glass. With a gentle, light sweetness and a brilliant finish reminiscent of petals dancing in the breeze, the flavor truly embodies the 'beauty of Hakone.' This sake captivates many as a perfect choice for special anniversaries or to add a touch of elegance to a celebratory dining table.

Suijou is a brand with philosophical depth, named after the principle of 'Suijou' (the spirit of sharing one's surplus with others and the future)—a core teaching of Sontoku Ninomiya, the great agricultural leader born in Odawara. True to its name, it offers a humble yet refined flavor that enhances accompanying dishes rather than overpowering them, embodying the quiet conviction of the brewers. It results in a harmonious balance between the clean finish derived from Sakawa River water and the honest umami of the rice. Characterized by a profound sapor that seeps into the heart with every sip, Suijou represents a sincere commitment to brewing as a way of bridging regional culture and spirit for the next generation.

Senmeikyo (The Valley of Immortal Sounds) is a brand named after a landscape of serenity and beauty, reminiscent of a utopia where immortals might reside amidst the deep mountains of Hakone. Using high-quality rice nurtured by the rich nature of Ashigara and the pristine meltwater of the Sakawa River, it is brewed slowly and patiently in the quietude of the cellar. Its flavor is as clear as the air of a mythical paradise, characterized by a gentle umami that gradually permeates the body. This sake offers a moment of calm and elegance, as if the melodies played by Hakone's deep nature were captured directly in the cup.

Hakone no Shizuku (Droplets of Hakone) is a fresh and vibrant Namachozoshu (fresh storage sake) brand inspired by the pure droplets nurtured by Hakone's lush nature. Using 100% 'Wakamizu' rice cultivated in the upper reaches of Odawara, its defining characteristics are the crisp, refreshing throat feel and the youthful, brilliant aroma. While built on the foundation of Ishii Jozo's traditional 'Mochi Yondan Shikomi' technique, it pursues a modern lightness that reaches its full potential when served chilled. This is a cup of soul-cleansing refreshment, designed to soothe the fatigue of a journey through Hakone.

Ichiyajo (The One-Night Castle) is a brand steeped in historical romance, named after the legendary 'Ishigaki-yama Ichiyajo' built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during his siege of Odawara in the Sengoku period. To recreate the tales of this historic region within the cup, it is finished with a heavy, rich body through the 'Mochi Yondan Shikomi' method. It features a character that combines the robust presence of rice with a dignified poise, as if it has navigated the turbulent waves of history. Enjoy the deep, powerful flavor where the ambitions of Sengoku warriors intersect with a tradition rooted in this very land.

Soga no Homare (The Pride of Soga) is the flagship brand representing the long history of Ishii Jozo. Its name is derived from the Soga area of Odawara, the setting of the epic 'Revenge of the Soga Brothers' from the Kamakura period. Brewed using the secret 'Mochi Yondan Shikomi' technique passed down through generations, it offers a full-bodied umami and robust depth derived from glutinous rice that fills the palate. Far from being just sweet, it is characterized by a firm core of strength and a dignified aftertaste. Crafted with carefully selected rice and Sakawa River water, its flavor is the very pride (homare) of the region—a superlative food-pairing sake cherished for enriching any dining table.

Hakone Kaido (The Hakone Highway) is a brand that evokes the arduous yet scenic journey along the historic Tokaido Road through the Hakone mountain pass, traveled by wayfarers in the Edo period. Imagining the sake that would have quenched the thirst and bolstered the courage of those challenging the mountain, it is brewed using Ishii Jozo's unique 'Mochi Yondan Shikomi.' The rich sweetness and deep body brought by glutinous rice have an encompassing warmth that gently embraces the fatigue of a long trip. Capturing the lush terroir of Ashigara and the breath of history, this cup is a timeless 'companion on the road' that continues to be loved through the ages.

Setoichi is a flagship brand that embodies the innovative spirit of Seto Shuzoten, designed to complement modern diverse lifestyles. With the concept of 'Sake that surprises with every sip,' it offers a wide range of flavor profiles tailored to different drinking scenes and moods by combining various yeasts and brewing techniques. Its refined taste and stylish presentation have earned it exceptionally high international acclaim, including consecutive Platinum awards at 'Kura Master' in France. This drop, born from a fusion of creative sensibility free from tradition and solid craftsmanship, vividly illustrates new possibilities for Japanese sake.

Sakata Nishiki is a brand that embodies the tradition and pride of Seto Shuzoten, preserved since its founding at the end of the Edo period. Following a 38-year production hiatus, the brewery revived the original 'kuratsuki' (brewery-conditioned) yeast that had lived in the cellar, creating a robust, full-bodied flavor profile that says 'this is local sake.' It maximizes the powerful umami of rice nurtured on the Ashigara Plain. Long cherished by locals as an accommodating food-pairing sake that enhances daily meals while providing a satisfying drink, its revived flavor is deeply engraved with the history of Kaisei Town and the passion of the brewers who reignited the furnace.

Ashigarigo is a brand that expresses the lush terroir of the Ashigara region and the beautiful seasonal colors that bloom there. Its most prominent feature is the use of 'flower yeast' collected from hydrangeas (ajisai)—the symbolic flower of Kaisei Town. The elegant and brilliant aroma derived from the flower yeast harmonizes perfectly with the gentle yet firm umami woven by the rice of the Ashigara Plain. Transforming the regional identity into the form of sake, this brand is a concentrated essence of Ashigara's terroir. Filled with deep local love and respect for nature, it offers a refreshing and passionate flavor profile.

Ryu is a special limited brand established in 2000 to pursue the infinite individuality of Japanese sake. Its name carries the meaning of 'surging upward,' reflecting an ambition to reach even greater heights while honoring the flagship 'Tanzawasan.' Its most defining feature is the refusal to blend, bottling sake from individual tanks to preserve and celebrate their unique character—much like a single-cask whisky. Connoisseurs are drawn to the dramatic, direct experience of the specific rice variety, terroir, and yeast profile of each distinct batch. As a 100% Junmai sake, Ryu offers a more refined sharpness and a robust umami that continues to captivate serious sake enthusiasts.