Sake Brands
in Kochi

"Hanaoshiroi" is a brand with a unique personality created by Arisawa. Also written as "花おしろい" (Hanaoshiroi), it expresses the gorgeousness and delicacy derived from Koji, as the name suggests. While strictly observing traditional methods, it is a sake characterized by careful brewing where the craftsman's sensibility shines.

"Shimantoryojo" is a brand created with the image of the atmosphere of the Shimanto River, said to be Japan's last clear stream. It aims for a gentle and soothing taste that makes you feel the rich nature of Shimanto and the emotions of travel. It is a bottle that captures Kochi's nature and travel sentiments, making it a pleasing souvenir.

"Kagamino" is one of the sake brands brewed by Arisawa. It is thought to stem from the place names and climate around Tosayamada-cho, where the brewery is located. It is a local sake with an unpretentious taste, familiar to the locals.

"Doshudamashii" is a sake brewed with "the soul of Tosa (Doshu)," as the name suggests. It is thought to express a powerful and sturdy taste, like the men of Kochi known as "Igosso" (stubborn and spirited men). It is a brand filled with passion, symbolizing the climate and spirituality of Tosa.

"Taira" is one of the sakes produced by Arisawa. Although details are not revealed, it is possible that the name contains a wish for tranquility or peace, or the thoughts of the brewers. It may be aiming for a taste that gives comfort to the drinker.

"Bunkajin" is Arisawa's flagship brand, named by the 2nd generation owner after "O-En," the daughter of Nonaka Kenzan, the chief retainer of the Tosa Domain. "Bun" means letter and "Kajin" means beauty, containing the wish to be a sake like an "educated and beautiful woman." All sake is pressed using the traditional "Fune" (wooden tub) and bottle-stored at -5 degrees Celsius, realizing a fresh and transparent taste. There is a diverse lineup including dry Junmai, making it a sake that can be enjoyed with meals.

"Yamada Daiko" is one of the flagship brands representing Matsuo Shuzo. It is brewed using local sake rice "Tosa Nishiki" and "Gin no Yume" and underground water from the Monobe River. It features a fruity aroma reminiscent of melon and banana, and sharp acidity. It is finished with a refreshing and easy-to-drink taste that makes you feel the climate of the local Tosayamada.

"Matsuokina" is a major brand of Matsuo Shuzo born after the war. The name was coined by combining "Okina" from the old brand "Okina Mirin" and the brewery's family name "Matsuo." It also contains wishes for the protection of Matsuo Shrine, which enshrines the god of sake brewing, and for the longevity of the drinker. It is a sake with a sharp taste that inherits the "Tanrei Karakuchi" (light and dry) tradition since its founding.

"Tosa Kikusui" is the flagship brand bearing the name of Kikusui Shuzo. It has the characteristics of "Tanrei Karakuchi" (light and dry) typical of Kochi sake, and its charm lies in its refreshing throat feel and sharpness. Brewed with the famous water of the local Aki City, it is a sake with a taste you will never get tired of drinking.

"Shimantogawa" is a fine sake bearing the name of the Shimanto River, said to be Japan's last clear stream. The blue bottle imaging its clear flow is impressive. Using high-quality water and rice, it is a Junmai Ginjo sake brewed without using any additives, characterized by a refreshing aroma and light taste. You can enjoy a clean mouthfeel that makes you feel the coolness of the Shimanto River.

"Tamagawa" is a traditional brand that Arimitsu Shuzojo has protected since its founding. It uses the clear stream of the Akano River flowing near the brewery as brewing water, with a taste expressing that purity. Loved by the people of the local Aki City for many years, it is familiar as a daily evening drink.

"Akano" is a brand derived from the place name "Akano, Aki City," where Arimitsu Shuzojo is located. Using the water of the local clear stream Akano River as brewing water, it brews fine sake unique to this land. Deeply rooted in the region, it is a simple yet flavorful bottle expressing the local nature and climate.

"Akitora" is the flagship brand of Arimitsu Shuzojo, named after Kunitora Aki, a Sengoku warlord who ruled the eastern part of Kochi Prefecture. Among Kochi sake where "Tanrei Karakuchi" is common, it daringly pursues umami and roundness as a "food sake." It features a gentle and soft mouthfeel and refreshing acidity created by using underground water (soft water) of the Akano River. It is a sake with a pleasant taste that enhances the flavor of food.

"Momotaro" is the flagship brand of Fumimoto Shuzo, selected by public competition in the 1970s. It was named after the protagonist of a folktale with the wish that it would be "loved by everyone." Rare for Kochi sake, it is "slightly sweet," characterized by a plump aroma and gentle mouthfeel. It is particularly popular as a taste that is accessible to women and sake beginners.

"Irikoma" is a traditional brand that Fumimoto Shuzo has cherished since its founding. It was the former flagship brand, and products bearing the name are still being made today. It features a profound and deep taste that symbolizes the history and tradition of Fumimoto Shuzo.

"Shimantono" is a brand that shapes the blessings of the Shimanto River and the thoughts of the people living in this land. As the only brewery in Shimanto Town, it expresses the identity of the region. Insisting on locally grown rice and water, it pursues a taste that makes you feel the climate of Shimanto.

"Kirinosato" is a brand named after the climatic features of Shimanto Town, where morning fog often occurs. Using rice and water nurtured in this land with high altitude and temperature differences, it is finished with a delicate and profound taste that makes you imagine the silence and beauty of the foggy village.

"Mutemuka" is a brand bearing the company name, a sake brewed by a brewery famous for chestnut shochu. Using rice and water nurtured in the rich nature of the upper reaches of the Shimanto River, it pursues an unadorned and simple taste. It is a bottle that makes you feel the warmth of handmade brewing, breathing the founding spirit of "without drowning in the crown, without decoration, just with bare hands."

"Chiyonobori" is a sake that inherited the brand of the formerly existing Chiyonobori Shuzo Partnership Company. Currently, Mutemuka protects that tradition and brews and sells it as sake from the source area of the Shimanto River. It is a brand that has been loved locally for a long time, with a taste that makes you feel the history and climate of the region.

"Tomiyama" is a community-based brand created in cooperation with farmers in the Tomiyama area of Shimanto City. As raw material rice, it uses 100% of specially cultivated "Gin no Yume" carefully raised using compost in the Tomiyama district. Brewed with underground water from the Shimanto River, it is a bottle filled with the passion of the region and the nature of Shimanto, from rice growing to sake brewing.