Sake Brands
in Nagano

"Hakubanishiki" is a brand symbolizing majestic nature, named after the three peaks of Hakuba, the main peaks of the Northern Alps. A sharp dry taste where the freshness like melted snow and the umami of rice harmonize. It goes well with meals outdoors and at resorts, and is a sake to enjoy the nature of Shinshu with all five senses.

"Honkin" is a brand loved in the land of Suwa, containing the desire to "brew the real number one (= Gold) sake." With the concept of "easy to drink smoothly," "taste and aroma expand moderately," and "not too assertive," they aim for a "famous supporting role" that brings out the charm of meals. As the symmetrical kanji represents, it is a heartwarming taste that conveys the sincerity of the maker.

"Metoba no Izumi" is a brand bearing the name of the spring water used for brewing by Yoikana Shuzo, which was also selected as one of the 100 best waters. It is characterized by a transparent and soft mouthfeel and a refreshing throat finish, as if expressing the goodness of the water as it is. It is local sake that blends into the daily life of Matsumoto, accompanying any dish and never getting tired of drinking.

"Kurosawa" is Kurosawa Shuzo's flagship brand, poured with the brewer's passion and skill. While based on "traditional Kimoto brewing," they pursue a modern taste that suits modern dining tables. They aim for sake that is accepted worldwide, combining strength and delicacy.

"Nakanorisan" is the representative brand of Nakazen Shuzoten, named after the rafters "Nakanori-san" who transported timber on the Kiso River in the past. It creates a fruity and gorgeous aroma and a juicy taste with a balanced sweetness and acidity. There are many products where you can enjoy a light gas feeling and freshness, and it is a bottle that can be enjoyed with meals.

"Misonotake" is the representative brand of Takeshige Honke Shuzo since its founding. It is characterized by a taste that you never get tired of drinking, where you can feel the umami of rice even though it is refreshing. It is an indispensable evening drink for daily dining tables, continuing to be loved by locals.

"Kame no Umi" is the representative brand inheriting the tradition of Tsuchiya Shuzoten since its founding. Using water containing moderate minerals and locally grown sake rice, it realizes a rich aroma and balanced taste. There is a lineup that can be enjoyed in a wide range of scenes, from daily mealtime sake to toast sake for special days.

"Kikusui" is the representative brand of Kikusui Shuzo, featuring a refreshing taste. Using underground water from the Central Alps and sake rice "Takane Nishiki" from the local Southern Shinshu, it is carefully brewed in the severe cold. The sharp mouthfeel and the good balance that enhances the taste of meals can be enjoyed widely from cold sake to hot sake.

"Hokuan Daikoku" is the flagship brand of Hokuan Jozo. It features an "Umakuchi" taste where the fine and smooth texture created by the super soft underground water of the Northern Alps harmonizes with the umami and sweetness of rice. It is a versatile sake for meals that can be enjoyed at any temperature from cold sake to hot sake and enhances the taste of meals.

"Shinshu Kirei" is the representative brand named with the wish for the brewery's longevity, inspired by the saying "Cranes live for 1,000 years, turtles for 10,000 years." It is characterized by a modern and sophisticated taste where gorgeous aroma, transparent sweetness, and beautiful acidity harmonize. Boasting popularity to the extent that it is said to be difficult to obtain, it fascinates many fans with its beautiful sake quality.

"Hokushinryu" is the flagship brand of Matsubaya Honten, inheriting the traditions of the Hokushin region. It develops a diverse lineup including Junmai Daiginjo, Junmai Ginjo, and Namazake.

"Inokashira" is the representative brand of Urushido Brewing (Kasuga Shuzo), and its name means "the best spring water." Brewed with clear underground water from the Central Alps, it features a soft and rich umami taste unique to soft water. The balance of sweetness and acidity is exquisite, and it is a taste filled with the brothers' thoughts, perfect as a sake to accompany meals.

"Izutsucho" is a traditional brand loved since the brewery's founding. With the motto of "fine and untiring sake," they aim for sake that enriches daily life. They boast stable quality that can be enjoyed widely from cold to warm.

"Daiya Giku" is the representative brand of Suwa Ootsuya Honke Shuzo, combining the firm will like the king of gems "Diamond" and the elegance of the famous Japanese flower "Chrysanthemum" (Kiku). The sharp dry taste is a famous supporting role that enhances the taste of dishes without interfering. It is a famous sake with a story, also known for being deeply loved by the master of the film world, director Yasujiro Ozu.

"Shinanohikari" is the representative brand of Nishi Iida Shuzoten, named with the wish to create Shinshu sake that shines beautifully like Zenkoji Temple. It is a classic brand that has been loved locally for a long time.

"Mikotsuru" is a brand symbolizing revival and leap, named after the crane said to be a messenger of god that flew to Lake Suwa. Along with the reconstruction of the brewery in 2020, the quality was renewed by the fusion of the latest technology and handmade. Shining as Champion Sake at the world's highest peak contest "IWC," it is a taste recognized by the world where juicy umami and acidity harmonize.

"Meikyoshisui" is the representative brand of Osawa Shuzo. As the name meaning "water surface as quiet as a mirror without a single spot" suggests, it is characterized by a crystal-clear transparency and smooth mouthfeel. It continues to fascinate many sake fans as a mealtime sake that brings out the taste of dishes.

"Misuzu" is a brand reflecting the nature of Shinshu, derived from the pillow word of Shinano "Misuzukaru". It features a transparent and refreshing aroma, soft sweetness, and a sharp aftertaste. It is a perfect bottle as sake to accompany dry meals that enhances daily meals without getting tired of drinking.

"Miyamazakura" is the representative brand of Furuya Shuzoten, loved since its founding. Aiming for a pretty and beautiful sake quality like cherry blossoms blooming in the deep mountains at the foot of Mt. Asama. It has a good balance of elegant sweetness and acidity, and is a sake that accompanies seasonal dishes.

"Otoko no Namida" (Men's Tears) is sake characterized by a sharp and intense dryness. As the name suggests, it is a taste with a core that makes you feel men's sorrow and romance. It is an irresistible bottle for dry sake lovers with a satisfying response.

"Hoka" is a limited distribution series launched by Toshimaya as a second brand of "Miwatari." As the name implies, it was born with the concept of bringing out glorious aroma and the original umami of rice. Sticking to sake rice from Nagano Prefecture, the modern and sophisticated taste is supported by a wide range of people from sake beginners to enthusiasts.

"Iwanami" is the representative brand of Iwanami Shuzo, which has been loved as a dinner sake in local Matsumoto since its founding. Brewed with sake rice from Azumino and underground water from the Utsukushigahara water system, the sake is characterized by a light taste that you never get tired of drinking and a familiarity that goes well with any dish. It is a bottle that symbolizes the local sake culture of Matsumoto, coloring the daily dining table.

"Shigaizumi" is the representative brand since the brewery's founding. Using clear spring water from Shiga Kogen and Nagano Prefecture rice, it is characterized by a sharp, clean, and dry taste. It is popular as a sake for evening drinks that can be enjoyed in a wide range of ways, from cold to warm, and one never tires of drinking.

"Obasute Masamune" is the representative brand of Nagano Meijo, derived from the scenic Obasute Rice Terraces, which Basho Matsuo also composed haiku about. Using high-quality sake rice grown by contract farmers and spring water from Mt. Hijiri, it is characterized by the mellow umami and rich taste unique to pure rice sake. Boasting numerous awards in domestic and international competitions, it is highly rated as a mealtime sake.

"Jurokudai Kurouemon" (Sixteenth Generation Kurouemon) is a premium small-batch brand that expresses the brewer's sensibility. Using various methods such as Kimoto and Yamahai, they pursue a taste with impact and depth where the umami and acidity of rice harmonize. It is sake symbolizing the innovation of Yukawa Shuzoten, receiving high praise in domestic and international competitions.