Sake Brands
in Kumamoto

Sake Ichiban is the flagship brand of Yamato Shuzo, a local sake brewed in the rich natural environment of Yamato Town. It uses subterranean water from the Aso mountain system and locally grown sake rice, with brewing that takes advantage of the cool highland climate. It has a slightly dry taste with a clean mouthfeel and a well-balanced sake quality that harmonizes the crispness with the umami of rice. The flavor is designed to pair well with Yamato Town's regional cuisine, complementing local food culture including wild mountain vegetables and river fish dishes. It embodies the philosophy of community-rooted sake-making, delivering a bottle in which one can taste the natural blessings of Yamato Town.

Koro is the brand brewed by the Kumamoto Prefecture Sake Brewing Research Institute, a sake that expresses the characteristics of Kumamoto Yeast (Association No. 9) in their purest form. It features gorgeous ginjo aromas produced by Kumamoto Yeast and a delicate, refined flavor, representing the culmination of the institute's advanced technical expertise. With a slightly dry, crisp sake profile, fruity aromas harmonize with rice umami, leaving a clean finish. Using Kumamoto groundwater and carefully selected sake rice, it achieves exceptional quality through precise brewing with meticulous temperature control. It is a bottle through which one can experience the philosophy of the institute that has led sake innovation and the allure of Kumamoto Yeast.

Kumamoto Shinriki is a special brand that uses the legendary sake rice Shinriki, which Chiyonosono Shuzo has revived. Shinriki is a heritage variety that was cultivated from the Meiji to Taisho eras, characterized by its distinctive flavor and aroma. It has a rich, full-bodied umami and a powerful taste, offering a robust and sturdy sake quality. The combination of Kikuchi River subterranean water and Shinriki rice creates a distinctive flavor that conveys the terroir of Kumamoto. This bottle embodies the brewery's philosophy of reviving heritage rice and inheriting regional culture, making it a sake of historical significance.

Taito is a brand brewed by Chiyonosono Shuzo, characterized by its well-balanced flavor. Using Kumamoto Prefecture sake rice and subterranean water from the Kikuchi River, it achieves an elegant taste through careful brewing. With a moderate flavor profile, it harmonizes appropriate umami with a clean finish, creating a sake quality that never tires the palate. It pairs well with Yamaga's regional cuisine and is a versatile sake that complements a wide range of dishes. It is a reliable brand that brings together Chiyonosono Shuzo's technical expertise and experience.

Ubuyamamura is a brand born from Chiyonosono Shuzo's connection with the village of Ubuyama in the Aso region. Brewed with an awareness of the rice and water nurtured by Aso's grand natural environment, it features a refreshing, cool taste. It has a light mouthfeel and an impressively crisp acidity. With a refreshing flavor reminiscent of highland nature, it is a sake that pairs well with mountain cuisine.

Shuhai is one of Chiyonosono Shuzo's brands, an elegant sake befitting celebratory occasions. It features a refined aroma and a smooth mouthfeel, and is cherished as a toast sake for special occasions. With a well-balanced flavor, it can also be enjoyed as a food-pairing sake that enhances cuisine.

Kuromormine is one of the brands in Chiyonosono Shuzo's lineup. Brewed to take advantage of Yamaga's natural environment, it features flavors that express the local terroir. It is a sake with a composed, settled taste, enjoyed primarily in the local area.

Chiyonosono is the flagship brand bearing the brewery's name, a sake that crystallizes the traditions and techniques of Yamaga. It is carefully brewed using traditional methods with subterranean water from the Kikuchi River and Kumamoto Prefecture rice. Characterized by a gentle aroma and a mellow flavor, it can be enjoyed across a wide temperature range from chilled to warmed. It is a locally rooted sake also beloved at ryokan (traditional inns) in the Yamaga hot spring town. The brand name embodies the brewery's philosophy of creating sake that will be loved forever, like a garden (sono) that continues for a thousand generations (chiyo).

Jinden is one of Hananoka Shuzo's brands, a community-rooted sake named after the Jinden district of Nagomi Town. It is brewed using local rice and water with traditional methods, characterized by a rustic and warm flavor. With its gentle aroma and soft mouthfeel that conveys the umami of rice, it is a sake that complements everyday dining.

Hananoka is a brand bearing the brewery's name, a sake characterized by its gorgeous aroma and elegant flavor. Through brewing that leverages the characteristics of Kumamoto yeast, it achieves a fruity ginjo aroma and delicate taste. Despite its light mouthfeel, the umami of rice is firmly present, creating a well-balanced sake quality. It is a brand that elegantly expresses the blessings of rice and water nurtured by Nagomi Town's natural environment. Like a flower in its splendor and rich fragrance, it is a superb sake worthy of special occasions.

Sekka is a brand brewed by Hananoka Shuzo, brimming with a refreshing quality. It is characterized by a pure and delicate flavor like snow, with an impressively fine-grained mouthfeel. Despite its light and crisp sake quality, it possesses depth of flavor, making it an ideal sake to enjoy chilled.

Ubusuna is the brand that most purely embodies the philosophy of Hananoka Shuzo, an innovative sake that expresses the vitality of the land. It uses heritage rice varieties cultivated through natural farming and groundwater from Nagomi Town, practicing brewing that follows the laws of nature. Made with kimoto-style methods, it is characterized by a complex, profound flavor and a sake quality that conveys powerful vitality. Through brewing that respects the natural activity of microorganisms, it expresses terroir to its fullest. Pursuing new possibilities for sake and expressing the philosophy of coexistence with nature through flavor, it is a one-of-a-kind brand.

Homase is one of Hananoka Shuzo's brands, a sake named with a wish for bountiful harvest. It is characterized by a rich flavor and gentle aroma reminiscent of the harvest season. It has a satisfying sake quality that honestly expresses the blessings of rice.

Kabashiko is one of Hananoka Shuzo's brand lineup. It is characterized by a gentle aroma and soft flavor, a sake that expresses feminine delicacy. Its refined and easy-to-drink sake quality is enjoyed by a wide range of people.

Hanabi is a gorgeous and impressive brand brewed by Hananoka Shuzo. Like fireworks blooming in the summer night sky, it is characterized by its vivid flavor and refreshing quality. As part of brewing that values seasonality, it is crafted with a cool, refreshing sake quality suited for summer.

Kikunoshiro was a brand brewed by Kikunoshiro Honpo (the brewery is now closed). Named after the historic castle town of Kikuchi, it was a sake that expressed the pride of the region. It was brewed using local rice and water from the Kikuchi River system with traditional methods.

Manabiya is a brand by Bishonen, meaning "place of learning" and signifying growth. Born from the desire to convey the appeal of sake to younger generations, it is characterized by its approachable flavor. Its light and easy-to-drink sake quality makes it an ideal introduction to Japanese sake.

Kikuchi is a brand by Bishonen named after its hometown, a sake that expresses the terroir of Kikuchi City. It uses subterranean water from the Kikuchi River and locally grown rice, pursuing a flavor rooted in the community. With its gentle aroma and mellow taste, it has a sake quality that pairs well with Kikuchi's regional cuisine.

Aotenjo is one of Bishonen's brands, a sake expressing limitless possibilities. It is characterized by its refreshing flavor and expansive aroma, evoking the freshness of a blue sky. With its light mouthfeel, it has an open, liberating sake quality like an endless blue sky.

Yoi Bijin is a brand by Bishonen that expresses the beauty of twilight. It is characterized by its elegant aroma and soft flavor, suited for leisurely enjoyment. With a good balance of refined sweetness and acidity, it has a sake quality that can also be enjoyed as an aperitif.