Sake Brands
in Kyoto

"BLACK SWAN" is a brand born from Shirasugi Shuzo's revolutionary challenge of introducing "Black Koji" used in shochu brewing into sake. Using eating rice "Milky Queen," its biggest feature is the vivid and sweet-and-sour acidity from citric acid derived from black koji. The personality of refined acidity that vividly overturns the conventional image of sake stands out. The balance between a multilayered taste like wine and the lingering umami is exquisite. It proposes a new sake style for enjoying marriage with cheese or western dishes. The drop that shaped the "impossible" is indeed the legendary "Black Swan" of the sake world, symbolizing Shirasugi Shuzo's innovative spirit.

"Tango no Hikari" is a Junmai Ginjo brand where one can feel the power of rice, using 100% of Tango's proud delicious rice "Koshihikari." Koshihikari is the most familiar and loved rice for Japanese people. To draw out its rich umami and gentle sweetness to the maximum, it was carefully brewed with ultra-soft water gushing from the hill behind the brewery. The taste where a plump rice aroma passes through the nose and the potential of rice softly spreads in the mouth embodies the pride of regional agriculture, just like the "Light of Tango" in both name and reality. Tango's rich land, clear water, and the producer's thoughts of believing in the power of rice are tightly packed in every drop. It is a heart-warming taste.

"Shirakiku" is the flagship pure brand that opened up the new world of 100% eating rice while protecting the traditional backbone of Shirasugi Shuzo. It is the series that most purely embodies the brewery's philosophy of "making delicious sake with delicious rice." One by one, the individuality of rice used such as Koshihikari, Sasanishiki, and Milky Queen is vividly expressed in every drop. The attitude of contributing to the revitalization of regional agriculture and continuing to question the meaning of brewing sake in the land of Tango continues to surprise local sake fans across the country as the "Face of Shirasugi Shuzo." Please enjoy the unique taste where tradition and innovation intersect on the canvas of eating rice.

"Baimon Wakatake" is a brand representing Daido Shuzo, combining history and good luck. Bearing the names of "Ume" (Plum), which blooms earliest from the snow, and "Wakatake" (Young Bamboo), which grows straight and strongly, it pursues a refreshing and dignified taste. Characterized by a clear umami and a clean finish created by the winter cold of Tango, it is an indispensable brand in the region as "sake for celebratory days" for wedding ceremonies, New Year, etc. The rustic yet solid taste is indeed a drop reflecting the rich nature of Omiya Town and the sincere personality of the producer.

"Toji no Hitorigoto" (Toji's Soliloquy) is a private limited brand of Kumano Shuzo, reflecting the inner thoughts of the 4th generation Toji Tatsuro Kakimoto. Without being bound by existing frameworks, the Toji freely expresses the "ideal sake I really want to drink now." Challenging and delicate brewing, possible only in small production, shines through. Brewed according to the expression of rice and climate at each time, its charm is an honest and unadorned personality, as if listening to the Toji's "soliloquy." It is a cup fans long for, where the producer's philosophy and passion are directly transmitted.

"Kameya" is a traditional Junmai brand telling the source of Kumano Shuzo's history. Bearing the name of "Kame" (Turtle), which is said to live for ten thousand years, as auspicious sake wishing for long-lasting prosperity and health, it has been loved across generations in Kumihama. Characterized by the rustic sweetness inherent to rice and a solid umami that makes one feel the rich earth of Tango, its depth increases further when warmed, warming the heart as well. The taste carefully brewed with traditional skills supports local bonds as the "taste of home."

"Kumino-ura" is the representative brand of Kumano Shuzo, bearing the name of the beautiful scenery of Kumihama Bay spreading in front of the brewery. It pursues a taste where a clear transparency created by the silence and clear air of Tango's winter and the gentle umami of rice are harmonized. Long loved locally and showing the best marriage with Kumihama's seafood, this sake is indeed "a cup for feeling the sea of Tango." Toji Kakimoto's thoughts of valuing handwork live within the soft mouthfeel and refreshing finish.

"Tamagawa" is the representative brand containing the soul of Kinoshita Shuzo, attracting fans worldwide. Based on Toji Philip Harper's belief of "wanting to brew strong sake," it pursues a powerful sake quality making the most of the power of microorganisms, such as "Nature Brewing" without added yeast. The biggest feature is its overwhelming "depth of umami" and "width of change." Refreshing when cold, plump when hot, and how the taste further opens up after opening or through aging, is indeed the real pleasure unique to Tamagawa full of vitality. Please enjoy the powerful yet beautiful taste that continues to update the concept of sake, at your favorite temperature range to your heart's content.

"Time Machine" is a brand where Kinoshita Shuzo's originality shines, reviving Edo period brewing methods in the modern era. Using much more koji than modern sake, it pursues a rich and sweet taste. As "sake that travels through time," it conveys a story of aging that differs for each vintage. The balance between a condensed sweetness like dried fruit or honey and complex acidity enables enjoying it like dessert wine or pouring it over vanilla ice cream as an adult dessert. An ancient technique crosses time, illuminating the possibility of future sake. It is a cup full of romance.

"Kyo Kasuga" is an elegant and brilliant sake celebrating the arrival of spring in Kyoto. It captures the scenery of the season when cherry blossoms dance and the ancient capital shines most beautifully in a bottle. It features a refreshing Ginjo aroma like the fragrance of flowers and a soft mouthfeel like spring sunshine. It pairs excellently with delicate spring Kaiseki cuisine, making it a brand full of seasonal joy that elegantly sets the stage for any banquet.

"Takumi" (Artisan) is a brand that concentrates the commitment of Kyohime Shuzo, brewed by skilled craftsmen who have mastered traditional techniques. Luxuriously using the finest sake rice "Yamada Nishiki" and slowly fermenting at low temperatures, it draws out a fruity, deep, and noble aroma. Characterized by a moist and calm taste where the natural sweetness and richness of rice are in harmony, not just being brilliant. In every drop where the artisan's pride lives, it is a sake that makes one feel the "craftsman's skill," gracefully staging moments on special days.

"Kinshi Masamune" is the flagship brand refined in Fushimi, Kyoto since its foundation in 1781. Leveraging the soft sweetness of Fushimi's famous water "Tokiwai-sui," the carefully brewed sake is characterized by a noble aroma and a silk-like smooth mouthfeel. While respecting tradition, it pursues refined sake quality suitable for modern dining tables, enhancing everything from delicate Kyoto cuisine to modernly arranged Japanese dishes in a well-balanced manner. In every drop where Kyoto's history and passion live, it is a sake that promises high-quality moments, calmly filling the drinker's heart.

"Izumigawa" is the representative brand of Sotetsu Shuzo, as if bottling the pure original landscape of Yamashiro-cho, Kizugawa City. Using the rich underflow of the Kizugawa river (formerly called Izumigawa) which is the origin of the name, it is characterized by a simple and gentle taste that maximizes the pure sweetness of rice. While it lacks flashiness, it pursues an honest sake quality that makes one feel relieved at one sip, gently staying close to home cooking and never getting tired even if drunk every day. It is a symbol of warm local sake that has been loved for over 100 years in the Yamashiro area, coexisting with local people's lives.

"Ooni" (Great Ogre) is a sake brewed with themes of strength and mystery in the land where the ogre legends of Mt. Oe live. As the name suggests, it is characterized by a strong and solid drinking experience, where the pure sweetness of rice and the sharp dryness of the finish perform in exquisite balance. Especially the Junmai吟醸 using "Gohyakumangoku" grown in rice terraces by the "Society for Making Local Sake in Oe" is a gem concentrating local passion. Strong like an ogre, yet somehow letting one feel kindness as well. It is a unique brand embodying the soul of Oe, Fukuchiyama.

"Nohana" is a brand imaged after the rich nature of Nohana, Fukuchiyama City and the simple yet strong vitality of wildflowers blooming there. Valuing local ingredients and carefully brewed with traditional methods, the sake features a pleasant co-performance of the pure sweetness of rice and the sharp finish brought by clear water. While unadorned, the mellow umami that spreads with one sip gives a sense of satisfaction as if tasting the climate of Fukuchiyama itself. It is a warm local sake that always stays close to local banquets and family gatherings, bringing smiles.

"Okinazuru" is the brand symbolizing Oishi Shuzo's tradition, bearing the names "Okina" (Elder) and "Tsuru" (Crane), symbols of longevity and good luck. Transmitting the traditional "Kimoto-zukuri" method from the Edo period to today, it is characterized by deep body and strong umami born through being brewed slowly over time. The natural acidity brought by lactic acid bacteria tightens the whole taste, and the robust sake quality that makes one feel the vitality of rice itself exhibits its true value even more when warmed. It is a dignified sake to be loved across eras, where the history of over 300 years and Oishi Shuzo's spirit of valuing dialogue with nature dwell.

"Idugen" is a brand bearing the store name symbolizing Seki Shuzo's tradition, pursuing the pinnacle of hand-made brewing. The sake produced by the time-consuming traditional method of "Fukuro-shibori" boasts ultimate purity, collecting only drops that fell by their own weight without applying any pressure. The delicate sweetness inherent in rice and elegant aroma spread as if unraveling in the mouth, and indeed, Kameoka's history and the maker's thoughts are condensed in every single drop. While mass production is impossible, the joy when encountering it is all the greater. It is a masterpiece suitable for gifts to precious people or coloring special times.

"Yasaka-zuru" is the flagship brand of Yoshioka Shuzojo, bearing a wish for eternal prosperity of the Yasaka land and the name of the auspicious bird, crane. Brewed by traditional "Kifune-shibori" to scrape off all off-flavors, the sake resonates with the clear water of Mt. Kongodouji, creating a beautiful taste as clear as a mirror. With one sip, the soft sweetness inherent in rice spreads quietly, and the finish is characterized by an elegant result that clears away like spring meltwater. Please enjoy the exceptional umami where Yasaka's climate and the maker's sincerity dwell, carefully spun one by one by the hands of artisans.

"Ichi" is the supreme brand of Nagao Shuzo, aiming for "the only one, the first one, and the best one" at the edge of the Tango Peninsula. The brewery workers who have watched over Nakahama's freezing sea polished every drop with traditional skills. It fusioned the wild umami inherent in rice and the sharp finish born from Ukawa water in top-prize balance. Discarding ornate decorations and honestly pursuing "tasty sake," the taste shows the figure of true local sake that one never gets tired of exactly because it doesn't aim for eccentricity. Please enjoy the powerful resonance where the pride of the maker, living with Tango's severe nature and staking their life on this cup, dwells.

"Choro" is the flagship brand bearing the name of the sacred mountain Mt. Chorogatake, receiving its clear water. The taste where the spirit of Tajima Toji dwells is clear like Kyotanba's severe winter, characterized by a transparent mouthfeel. Yet, the finish where the mellow umami inherent in rice quietly follows has a calmness and dignity suitable for the name "Choro" (the elder). Whether enjoyed chilled and sharp, or as lukewarm sake with an inclusive taste, it stays close to any meal and becomes the best supporting actor that makes conversation lively. Please savor the traditional taste that the region is proud of, a crystallization of Kyotanba's rich nature and the producer's unremitting efforts.