Sake Brands
in Nagano

"Misuzunishiki" is a traditional brand name that has been loved locally since before the brewery's revival. It is still used in parallel with "Juku" today.

"Endo" is one of the traditional brands of Endo Shuzojo.

"Naotora" was trademarked in 2014 and is sold only at authorized local sake specialty stores nationwide. Quality control and scarcity are maintained through limited sales at authorized retailers.

"Garyuzan" was a brand of Matsubaya.

"Iwashimizu" is the representative brand of Igaya Shuzojo, which has continued since its founding. The name expresses that it is a sake as pure and delicious as clear water springing from between rocks. New series such as NIWARINGO offer new flavors that also go well with meat dishes and Western food.

"Nakano Tsuchibina" is a regional brand featuring clay dolls, a traditional craft of Nakano City. It is characterized by a simple and warm taste.

"Ikioi Masamune" is the representative brand of Maruse Shuzoten. It is characterized by a unique sweetness and umami from "Mochigome Yondan Jikomi" (four-stage brewing using glutinous rice). By using a production method that takes more time and effort than usual, they have achieved a rich and deep taste found nowhere else.

"Tenryohomare" is the representative brand since the brewery's founding. Brewed in the severe winter cold of Northern Shinshu, it is characterized by a crisp, light, and dry taste. They aim for a sake quality that is perfect as a mealtime sake, without interfering with the taste of the food.

"Asamadake" is the representative brand of Otsuka Shuzo. It is characterized by a soft mouthfeel and a clean aftertaste thanks to the underground water of Mt. Asama. The name comes from Mt. Asama, one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and expresses its magnificent and beautiful nature through the taste of sake.

"Mujinzo" is a brand centered on seasonal limited products from Kitsukura Shuzo. As the name suggests, the sake brewed with inexhaustible inquisitiveness and passion gives new discoveries and impressions every time you drink it. It is characterized by a fresh and lively taste.

"Hon Kikuizumi" is a sake for evening drinks that has been loved locally for a long time. It pursues a taste that you never get tired of, accompanying daily meals. It is a versatile mealtime sake that can be enjoyed both cold and warm.

"Shuho Asama" is a brand inspired by the majestic figure of Mt. Asama. It is characterized by a taste that combines mountain-like strength and the refreshing feeling of clear air. It is a bottle that is plecig to have on the table on special days or as a gift.

"Kura" is a brand that brings together the tradition and technology of Kitsukura Shuzo. Using lavish amounts of Yamada Nishiki, said to be the pinnacle of sake rice, and fermenting slowly at low temperatures, it draws out a fine taste. Please enjoy a supreme cup that combines gorgeousness and delicacy.

"Yachiho" is a regionally limited distribution brand named after "Yachiho Village," the former town name of local Sakuho Town. Using sake rice grown by local contract farmers, they brew sake making use of the local climate and water. It is a bottle perfect for evening drinks, continuing to be loved by locals.

"Maruto" is a traditional Kimoto brewing brand bearing the trade name of Kurosawa Shuzo. Insisting on the old-fashioned "Kimoto" method, they brew it over time with the power of natural microorganisms. It is characterized by a complex and deep taste and the spread of umami when warmed.

"Yukiguni" is not a brand inspired by Yasunari Kawabata's novel "Snow Country," but it is a brand that evokes the scene of snowy Minami Saku. It tastes of purity like snowmelt water and inner strength nurtured in the severe cold land. It is a sake that you want to enjoy slowly on a quiet winter night.

"Seki" is a particular brand that uses 100% Nagano Prefecture's sake brewing rice "Kinmon Nishiki." You can enjoy the deep taste created by the fusion of the plump umami unique to "Kinmon Nishiki" and the technology of Osawa Shuzo. Products brewed in wooden barrels have increased complexity and create an even more unique taste.

"Ooyoshino" is a brand that reprinted Osawa Shuzo's former brewery name "Ooyoshino." In contrast to "Meikyoshisui," it pursues a rich and mellow taste. The satisfying taste goes well with dishes with strong flavors.

"Shinano no Kataribe" is a simple and warm sake, like passing down the folklore and legends of Shinshu. Warming it deepens the flavor even more, making it a cup that warms both body and mind. It is perfect when you want to spend a relaxing time.

"Bokusui" is a brand named after the poet Wakayama Bokusui, who loved sake deeply. There is an anecdote that Bokusui actually visited the brewery and praised its sake. Sake brewed with traditional Kimoto brewing is rich and full-bodied, demonstrating its true value when warmed.

"Doburoku" (read as Twelve Six in kanji) is a brand of Doburoku where you can taste the whole umami of rice. With the theme of "Sweet, Sour, Bubbly, Fun," it offers a fun taste with an exquisite balance of sweetness, acidity, and effervescence. The thick mouthfeel and fresh flavor can also be enjoyed like a dessert.

"Yoshidaya Jisuke" is a brand that bears the name of the founder of Chikumanishiki Shuzo, which can be said to be a return to the origin. Using traditional brewing techniques, it is brewed cherishing the original umami and aroma of rice. The calm taste is a gem for adults who want to enjoy sake in a relaxed manner.

"Riz Vin" is a new sensation sake meaning "Rice Wine" in French. Using wine yeast, it realizes a fruity aroma and sweet and sour taste like white wine. It is recommended for those who are not familiar with sake and those who want to enjoy pairing with Western food.

"Kizan" is a brand filled with the thought of "returning to the mountains, returning to nature, returning to the origin of sake brewing." Using Nagano Prefecture's unique sake rice and yeast, it is characterized by a rich flavor that expresses the nature of Shinshu. It has a good balance of sweetness and acidity, and can be enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif.

"Asadake Karuizawa" is a brand that expresses the locality of Mt. Asama and Karuizawa. It is characterized by a gorgeous aroma and a clean taste, evoking the refreshing climate of the plateau. It is highly popular as a souvenir of Karuizawa, and is finished with a taste that is easy for anyone to drink.