Sake Brands
in Nagano

"Imanishiki" is the representative brand serving as the face of Yonezawa Shuzo. Sake brewed carefully by Funa-shibori (pressing in a tank) using local terraced rice field rice and contract-grown rice. It features a gorgeous aroma like fruit and a soft umami with transparency.

"Daisekkei" is a brand characterized by a clear and clean taste, like the melting snow water of the Northern Alps. The balance between sharpness that you don't get tired of and the umami of rice is exquisite. It is a local sake of Shinshu that can be enjoyed with daily meals, clean as cold sake and mellow as warm sake.

"Masumi" is a sake brand loved all over the world, boasted by Miyasaka Brewing founded in 1662. As the birthplace of "Association No. 7 Yeast," they maximize its characteristics of gentle aroma and well-balanced taste. The taste with transparency and sharpness, thought out primarily to be enjoyed with meals, is the royal road of "mealtime sake" that accompanies any dish.

"Yoakemae" (Before the Dawn) is the representative brand of Ono Shuzoten, named after the masterpiece of Toson Shimazaki. Using the king of sake rice "Yamada Nishiki" luxuriously, it is brewed carefully with low-temperature fermentation. It is a taste like a work of art where a gorgeous and elegant aroma and transparent umami harmonize.

"Nanawarai" is the representative brand of Nanawarai Shuzo, loved as local sake of Kiso. Using underground water from Mt. Kisokoma, one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, it is an "Umakuchi" style that brings out the flavor of rice. The taste that you can enjoy widely from cold to hot and never get tired of drinking is perfect for daily evening drinks.

"Matsuo" is the representative brand of a brewery that insists on handmade brewing, named after "Matsuo Taisha," the god of sake brewing. Brewed carefully with traditional techniques using clear underground water from the Togakushi mountain range and sake rice from Nagano Prefecture, the sake is characterized by a rich fragrance full of fruitiness and juicy umami. Its high quality is guaranteed, having received gold prizes at domestic and international appraisal competitions.

"Miwatari" is the unshakable main brand of Toshimaya, named after the Omiwatari of Lake Suwa. With the motto "Sake loved by locals," they continue sake brewing expressing the climate and culture of Suwa. The gentle aroma and the gentle taste where the umami of rice spreads accompany every scene, from daily evening drinks to special occasions.

"Kawanakajima" is a brand that uses Shinshu Hitogokochi sake rice and groundwater from the Sai River. The Junmai Nigori Sake "Kawanakajima" and the sparkling sake "Fuwari-Suisui" are popular.

"Alps Masamune" is the representative brand of Kametaya Shuzoten, named after the magnificent nature of the Japanese Alps. Using suitable rice from Nagano Prefecture and underground water from the Northern Alps, it is characterized by a mellow and full flavor that fully brings out the umami of the rice. It is local sake nurtured by the climate and history of Matsumoto, which has been loved locally for a long time.

"Kuromatsu Senjo" is the representative brand of Senjo, inheriting the tradition since its foundation. Using rice from Nagano Prefecture and underground water from the Southern Alps, it features a plump and deep taste that makes you feel the climate of Shinshu. It is a standard sake of Shinshu that has been loved for a long time as a sake for local festivals and evening drinks.

"Keiryu" is the flagship brand of Endo Shuzojo, launched in 1988. It is a sake with a balanced taste brewed using traditional methods.

"Daishinshu" is a representative brand boasting overwhelming quality and individuality, brewed by the nature and people of Shinshu. The taste, where gorgeous aroma like "Delicious apple," light yet core umami, and sharp cut harmonize, is truly "refined." It is a touching sake that resonates with the heart, making the scenery of Shinshu float in your eyes if you take a sip.

"Kisoji" is the representative brand of Yukawa Shuzoten that has been loved by locals for many years. It features a thick taste that utilizes the original sweetness and umami of rice. It is a "local taste" that provides a sense of security to the drinker, accompanying seasonal meals.

"Mizuo" is a brand derived from being brewed with the famous water of Mt. Mizuo, which towers in the background of the brewery. Sticking to the best sake rice from Nagano Prefecture (especially Iiyama), it is characterized by the spreading umami of rice despite the modest aroma, and a sharp aftertaste. Aiming for "sake that tastes better on the second cup than the first, and better on the third than the second," it is supported as the ultimate mealtime sake that enhances food.

"Wakamidori" is the flagship brand of Imai Shuzoten, named after a Noh song from the Edo period. It embodies the sentiment of "aiming high, having an enterprising spirit, and never forgetting youth." With a disjointed sake quality produced by traditional manufacturing methods, it develops a diverse lineup such as Tokubetsu Junmai and Junmai Ginjo.

"Hokkou Masamune" is a brand symbolizing Iiyama, a heavy snowfall region, derived from the Big Dipper shining in the northern night sky. Using clear snowmelt water stored in beech forests and local sake rice, it is characterized by a taste that allows you to feel the umami of rice despite being dry with sharpness. It is a bottle that truly represents the essence of "local sake," which can be enjoyed cold or hot and goes perfectly with local cuisine.

"Nishinomon" is a premium brand of Yoshinoya located in Nishinomon of Zenkoji Monzen-machi. Utilizing the natural features of local Nagano, they pursue a high-quality taste to entertain Zenkoji worshipers. While maintaining traditional manufacturing methods, they practice modern quality control and are popular as a brand that harmonizes with Zenkoji culture.

"Koten" is a brand where the umami of rice and a mellow aftertaste spread within a refreshing dryness. Expressing the individuality of local "Miyama Nishiki" to the fullest with traditional techniques that laid the foundation for Shinshu as a famous brewing region. The light and smooth mouthfeel and the faintly fragrant fruity lingering finish are tastes that are approachable even for women and sake beginners.

"Takanami" is the representative brand of Marunaga Shuzojo, rooted in the climate of Shiojiri. It features a deep "adult taste" where the umami of rice and pleasant bitterness harmonize. It is refreshing as cold sake, and when warmed, the mellowness increases, enriching meal times.

"Shuho Kikuzakari" is a lineup of premium sake within the Kikuzakari brand that is particularly particular about ingredients and manufacturing methods. It pursues a refreshing and elegant taste that evokes the beautiful mountains of Shinshu. It delivers a higher-grade taste that colors gifts and festive dining tables.

"Kanchiku" is the representative brand of Totsuka Shuzoten. It is named after the bamboo that maintains its green leaves and stands dignified even in the severe cold of winter. It is characterized by a sharp, dry taste and a refreshing aroma, making it ideal as a mealtime sake that complements dishes.

"Tsukiyoshino" is a tasteful brand named after the scenery at the time of its founding, where cherry blossoms danced on a beautiful moonlit night. Brewed for the first time in 50 years, it contains the delicate sensibility unique to a female Toji and the warmth of handmade brewing. With a refreshing and healing taste free of off-flavors, the new Yamahai brewing using plant-based lactic acid bacteria is also attracting attention.

"Chikumanishiki" is one of the brands representing Nagano Prefecture and is the main brand of Chikumanishiki Shuzo. Using the clear water of the Chikuma River and rice grown in the cold climate, it is attractive for its taste where you can feel the umami of rice within a sharp dry taste. It is easy to match with any dish and is useful in a wide range of situations, from daily evening drinks to banquets.

"Sakunohana" is the representative brand of Sakunohana Shuzo. Using various sake brewing rice mainly from Nagano Prefecture, they brew sake that brings out the characteristics of each rice to the fullest. It is characterized by a fragrant, fresh, and clear taste, and has received high acclaim, including numerous gold prizes at the National New Sake Appraisal.

"Shinanotsuru" is the representative brand of Choseisha, sticking to 100% Junmai sake. A mellower and sharp taste where you can firmly feel the gorgeous aroma and the umami of rice. It can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from cold sake to warm sake, and is the "royal road of evening drinks" that enhances daily meals.