Sake Brands
in Nagano

"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.

"Kyoka Suigetsu" is a limited distribution brand developed by Iwanami Shuzo with the theme of "refined beauty." Imagining a fleeting yet beautiful scene like "flowers reflected in a mirror or the moon reflected in water," it pursues a gorgeous aroma and a sense of transparency in taste. It is an elegant and graceful sake that colors special days and time with loved ones.

"Fukashitsuru" is a brand full of attachment to the local area, bearing the old name of Matsumoto, "Fukashi." With a lineup centered on Honjozo, it is characterized by an unadorned and honest taste that accompanies daily evening drinks. It is local sake rooted in the region that has walked with the history of Matsumoto Castle town.

"Sasanohomare" is a brand that conveys the warmth of handmade sake, brewed by Sasai Shuzo, a small community-based brewery. Rooted in the local food culture, it is characterized by a profound umami that tastes deeper the more you drink it, although it is not flashy. Because production volume is limited, it is loved as a hidden famous sake known to those in the know.

"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.

"Shunkairodori" is a seasonal limited brand from Daishinshu Shuzo that heralds the arrival of spring. It is characterized by the freshness unique to unfiltered unpasteurized sake and the creamy and juicy taste caused by the lees entwined. You can enjoy the gorgeous aroma like spring when flowers are in full bloom and the taste full of vitality.

"Kouzuki" is the highest peak series brewed by Daishinshu Shuzo with prestige. With selected top-quality sake rice and a manufacturing method that gathers the best of skills, it has dignity and style like a work of art. The taste, also called "God's Moon," is a superb masterpiece that brings overwhelming transparency and a deep lingering finish.

"Shinano Kunsui" is a brand where Daishinshu Shuzo expresses the clear water and air of Shinshu. It is characterized by transparency like snowmelt water from the Northern Alps and a refreshing aroma, and when you put it in your mouth, you feel as if clear water permeates your body. It is a mealtime sake with a beautiful and clear taste that demonstrates its true value when enjoyed with meals.

"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.

"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.

"Yoikana" is the flagship brand of Yoikana Shuzo, bearing the word meaning affirmation and joy, "Yoikana" (It is good). It contains the wish to be sake that adds "joy" not only to celebratory occasions and special days but also to casual daily dining tables. The full umami of rice and the beautiful aftertaste where the goodness of water lives give peace of mind to the drinker.

"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.

"Yokobue" is a romantic brand derived from Yokobue, a lady-in-waiting to Kenreimon-in, the tragic heroine of "The Tale of the Heike." It is a "mellow dry" sake characterized by a rich aroma, a mellow mouthfeel where the umami of rice spreads, and a sharp aftertaste. From cold sake to warmed sake, it shows various expressions depending on the temperature, and it is a deep-pocketed sake that can be enjoyed according to the season and dishes.

"Maihime" is a traditional and elegant brand named after "Ohu Maiko" because it was founded in the year of Emperor Meiji's silver wedding anniversary. Using underground water from Kirigamine and carefully selected sake rice, it is characterized by a deep taste where the five tastes of sweetness, acidity, astringency, bitterness, and umami harmonize. From cold sake to warmed sake, it shows various expressions depending on the temperature, and it is a versatile mealtime sake that you never get tired of drinking.

"Suiro" is a limited distribution premium brand released by Maihime Shuzo born in 1999. "Sui" means beauty like jade, and "Ro" means dew drops that are fleeting yet beautiful, expressing a gorgeous and transparent taste. Through thorough temperature control and unfiltered bottling, it is a superb masterpiece that locks in the freshness of freshly pressed sake and the aroma like fruit.

"PRINCESS TIME" is a new sensation sake created by a female vice master brewer with the desire to "have people who are not good at sake and women enjoy it too." It is characterized by a fruity and sweet-sour taste like extremely sweet white wine. Along with the pop and cute design, it is a bottle that can be enjoyed like a dessert, coloring relaxation time gorgeously.

"Takao no Tengu" is a regional brand sake of Hachioji, Tokyo, using sake rice produced in Hachioji. Brewed with the technology of Maihime Shuzo, this sake coexists with the full umami of rice and refreshing sharpness. It is a tasteful bottle created by the bond beyond the region, woven by the feelings of the people of Hachioji and the nature of Suwa.

"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.

"Reijin" is the representative brand of Reijin Shuzo, brewed with underground water from Kirigamine and sake rice from Nagano Prefecture. It was named with the aim of having a beautiful and elegant taste like a "beautiful person." The transparent and smooth mouthfeel and the well-balanced taste where the umami of rice spreads go perfectly with a wide range of dishes, let alone Japanese food.

"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.