Sake Brands
in Niigata

Echigo Musume is a brand that combines familiarity and dignity inspired by the purity and core strength of Echigo women who grow up healthily in the snow country. It projects the juicy sensibility, like enduring the Niigata winter and blooming in spring, into the taste of sake. The biggest feature is the 'neat taste' where softness and the gentle sweetness inherent in rice spread. Within the lightness typical of Niigata sake, there is a comfortable umami that seems to oscillate slightly, delivering a sense of security like spending time with family in one's hometown. It is a sake that adds color to the dining tables of wide generations, which can be enjoyed without formality and yet lets you feel the reliable quality.

Mizu no Miyako Ryuto (Water Capital Ryuto) is a brand rich in regionality and love for the hometown, bearing the name 'Ryuto' (Willow Capital), which is an alias for Niigata City. It expresses the elegant atmosphere of Niigata City, which once had canals and beautiful willow rows, and the story of rich water brought by the great Shinano River, in the form of sake. The taste is characterized by an amazingly smooth and transparent mouthfeel, truly suitable for the name 'Water Capital.' The sake quality, which is as flexible as a willow branch yet possesses a core strength, condenses the history and culture of Niigata City. Brewed with local pride, this sake warmly welcomes people visiting Niigata and is familiar as a drink that delivers the wind of the hometown.

Essho (Echigo Craftsmanship) is a dignified premium brand that gathers the essence of the outstanding skills of Echigo Toji (master brewers) and the brewing techniques cultivated by Takano Shuzo. It expresses the artisan's soul, which holds respect for tradition and allows no compromise on quality, contained in the word 'Takumi' (Craftsmanship). The sake quality, brewed by the traditional 'Kanzukuri' (winter brewing) with sharpened senses after carefully polishing selected sake-brewing rice, is characterized by refined dignity and deep taste. While being light, the plump umami of rice spreads quietly, leaving a comfortable afterglow. This bottle, which can be called 'the art of craftsmanship' woven by skilled techniques, is a gem suitable as a partner when you want to face yourself quietly or for special moments.

Koshi no Kansetsu (Echigo Winter Snow) is a brand with a dignified expression inspired by the pure 'Kansetsu' (Winter Snow) that piles up during the severe winter of the snow country Niigata. It challenges expressing the purity brought by snowmelt water and the transparency like the tense winter air in a single cup of sake. The biggest feature is the 'ultimate refreshing sensation' that makes you feel no impurities at all. By fermenting slowly at a low temperature in the severe winter cold of Niigata, it achieved a clear and light mouthfeel and a refreshing sharp finish at the moment it passes through the throat. Its sake quality, quiet and beautiful like a cool snowy landscape, purely resets the taste of the meal and stands out the deliciousness of dishes even more. It is a brand that puts the entirety of the brewery's effort into bottling the blessings of the snow country as they are.

Life Premium is a brand created through joint development between Takano Shuzo and a major supermarket, Life Corporation, to richly color daily dining tables. Utilizing the brewery's high brewing techniques, they pursue high-quality sake that can be easily enjoyed with the concept of 'a slightly luxurious everyday life.' The biggest feature is the sake quality with an unobtrusive calm aroma and the umami of rice that is clearly alive, showing excellent balance with meals. Brewed carefully so that daily evening drinks feel like more special time, its taste goes perfectly with a wide range of dishes, including not only Japanese food but also Western and Chinese food. It is supported by many fans as a 'familiar masterpiece' that nestles in the customers' lifestyles and delivers sure satisfaction.

Shiratsuyu (White Dew) is a brand that pursues a transparency without a single cloud, like the pure dew shining on plants in the early morning. Polishing a traditional brand once treasured in Niigata sake brewing with modern techniques, it contains a classical yet never fading beauty in sake. The taste is characterized by a light and fresh mouthfeel, as if morning dew moistens the throat. The sake quality, with an understated aroma that doesn't interfere with the dishes and a gentle sweetness of rice that softly nestles in, is highly rated as the ultimate 'Shokuchushu' (sake to drink with meals). It possesses a quiet dignity that remains loved even as times change, a famous supporting role reminding one of the original scenery of Niigata sake.

Koshi no Gohaku (Echigo Amber) is a discerning brand that entrusts its identity as local Niigata sake to the words 'Koshi' (Echigo) and 'Gohaku' (Amber). It expresses the harmony between the beautiful amber brilliance born from aging and the profound taste woven by years. The biggest feature is the mellow and complex aroma and rich umami that overturn the general image of sake. The sake quality, which has become rounded and increased in maturity over time, allows you to enjoy a deep afterglow reminiscent of nuts or dried fruits. It is a luxurious vintage sake style proposed by Takano Shuzo for a drink after a meal or for a time when you want to enjoy the sake itself slowly.

Koshi no Tosetsuka (Echigo Winter Snow Flower) is a brand advocating a pure and innocent worldview, inspired by snow crystals dancing beautifully in the severe winter of Niigata. It expresses the geometric beauty of snow crystals and the fleeting transparency that vanishes in the palm through the highest quality sake brewing. The sake quality is characterized by a pure and innocent lightness from which all impurities have been shaved off. The mouthfeel full of refreshing sensation, like breathing in the cold and clear winter air, and the aftertaste that pulls away light like snowmelt water fascinate the drinker. It is a brand that conveys the aesthetics of Niigata winter, as a cup to enjoy with silence on a night of steadily piling snow, or as a pure gift for celebrations.

Omusubi Yanagi is an approachable brand with the theme of 'Rice,' the origin of Japanese food, and 'Musubi' (connecting), which connects people's fates. The name 'Yanagi' (Willow) symbolizes the atmospheric scenery of Niigata City, which was once called 'Ryuto' (City of Willows) because of the beautiful rows of willow trees. Like an omusubi (rice ball) made by rounding rice, the sake quality is characterized by being as if gently wrapping the plump umami inherent in rice. While simple, the taste with a core gently nestles at the daily dining table and gives a sense of security like an omusubi. It is a brand through which the brewery's warm feelings of attachment to the streets of Niigata and wanting to connect people's hearts with delicious rice and sake can be conveyed.

Tamaki Haru is an elegant and spiritual brand derived from the Makurakotoba (prefixed word) 'Tamaki Haru' used in classical literature such as Manyoshu to describe 'Life' or 'Soul.' Making the most of the 'Life of Rice,' which is the essence of sake brewing, it pursues true values that shake the soul of the drinker. Contrary to the modern impression of Katakana notation, its contents are precise and mysterious tastes that make one feel the depths of Japanese culture. The crystal clarity and the umami full of vitality that seems to well up from the depths are harmonized at a surprisingly high level. It is an ambitious work of Echigo Denemon that we want you to enjoy quietly and deeply while feeling the story of life connecting from the past to the future.

Koshi no Rikka is a brand that expresses a delicate and gorgeous taste like the beautiful snow crystals (Rikka) of Niigata. The traditional skills of Nozumi Toji and the super-soft water of the Agano River are beautifully fused, achieving a sake quality full of transparency like meltwater. Its taste is truly an elegant form of Niigata Tanrei. The faint sweetness of rice that spreads the moment you sip it and the beautiful clean finish that disappears quickly further enhance the taste of the food. By drinking it chilled, its freshness stands out, and it is a sophisticated bottle that harmonizes perfectly with Japanese food with delicate tastes such as sashimi and wild plants.

Echigo Toyosaka is a local sake brand containing love and pride for the region, bearing the name of the former Toyosaka City where the brewery is located. It is characterized by a simple and familiar taste that reflects the local rural landscape and people's warm lives. While keeping the light and clean style unique to Niigata, the pleasant umami of rice that never makes one tired of drinking every day is firmly alive. Compatibility with local home cooking and fresh seafood is pursued, and it is a brand that gives a sense of security as a regional treasure that is essential to the local dining table.

Kan-u is a brand that feels the weight of history derived from the pen name of Shichiro Endo, a local righteous man who was active in the Boshin War. It contains a desire to provide moisture to the heart of the drinker, like 'Ji-u' (merciful rain). Its characteristic is a sake quality that can be called the vanguard of refined 'Tanrei Karakuchi' typical of Niigata, created by the super-soft water of the Agano River. In the sharp finish, the mellowness peculiar to super-soft water brewing and the gentle umami of rice coexist in a well-balanced manner. It is a sake with dignified beauty, suitable for drinking while reflecting on history or enjoying conversation with close friends.

Asahibare is a brand that can be said to be the origin of DHC Shuzo, which has been loved in the local Kita Ward, Niigata City (formerly Toyosaka City) for over 100 years since the Taisho era. As a late-night drink that nestles in the daily dining table, it has supported the regional food culture. In the simple and unassuming taste, a solid umami of rice and a sharp finish that never makes one tired of drinking coexist. It has good compatibility with local home cooking in general and is characterized by a quality with a sense of security that gently nestles no matter what kind of mood you are in. While not flashy, the reliable quality and stability supported by many years of fans tell of the history of the brewery and attachment to the region.

Kayama is a brand named after the Kayama district where the brewery is located, symbolizing the 'modern umami' pursued by DHC Shuzo. It is characterized by a fruity sake quality where a refreshing aroma, a mellow sweetness that spreads in the mouth, and a powerful umami are beautifully fused. If you take a sip, you should be surprised by its fresh fruit-like aroma and deep rice afterglow. It most directly embodies DHC Shuzo's philosophy of 'emphasis on aroma' and 'rich taste,' and has gained overwhelming support, especially from younger generations, women, and people unfamiliar with sake. Bearing the regional place name proudly, it is a brand full of the brewery's passion that opens up new horizons for sake.

Koshi no Muso is an ambitious brand of DHC Shuzo, named after the challenge to 'unparalleled quality.' While based on the light and clean taste that is synonymous with Niigata sake, it pursues unique personality and outstanding perfection, positioned as a work that shows the high technical strength of the brewery. Its sake quality achieves both a dignified strength worthy of the name Muso and a clear aftertaste as if clearing up. Specific personality, or overwhelming balance. As one of the ideal forms of sake that DHC Shuzo aims for, it provides sophisticated satisfaction.

Heiemon is a brand that values the traditional brewing spirit handed down over many years since the predecessor Oguro Shuzo era. It is a bottle that makes one feel the depth of history where good old traditions and new sensibilities as DHC Shuzo intersect. It is characterized by stable quality and a friendly taste that does not choose drinkers, providing a sense of security suitable for daily dinner drinks. While not flashy, it is a brand that nestles in life, which can be said to be proof of having been honestly brewed believing in the climate of Niigata and the power of rice.

Koi ga Kanau (Love Comes True) is a brand ideal for gifts and anniversaries, characterized by its romantic naming and a gorgeous and gentle taste. It is an item that shows the flexible sensibility of DHC Shuzo that proposes new ways to enjoy sake. The balance of sweetness and acidity is exquisite, and the fruity and light drinking taste is very popular even among people unfamiliar with sake and women. It is designed to add color to time with important people, such as Valentine's Day and wedding anniversaries, and is a sake full of love that makes both the giver and the receiver feel happy.

Yuten is a Junmai Ginjo brand that is a crystallization of DHC Shuzo's passion, pursuing the ultimate taste over about three years. It was born to aim for the 'most delicious dry sake' and to open up a new standard for Niigata sake. Its greatest charm is that while it is a sharp and clean dry sake, the richness and umami of rice and a calm and dignified aroma are harmonized at an incredibly high level. From chilled to room temperature, and even lukewarm, it shows different fascinating expressions depending on the temperature range. Its perfection, also told by the achievement of winning gold awards, makes gourmets both domestic and international groan as the best 'premium in-meal sake' that enhances the taste of food.

Echigo Karakuchi Taro is a unique dry brand of DHC Shuzo, putting a friendly character in the foreground. It modernly arranges the traditional Niigata light and dry style, and its greatest characteristic is the sharp and powerful dry taste as the name suggests. Using Niigata-produced rice such as Gohmanyakoku luxuriously, it achieves an ultimate sharp finish and refreshing aftertaste. As indicated by the name 'Taro,' it boasts overwhelming popularity at izakayas and home drinking as an unpretentious daily drink. Enjoy the sharpness by cooling and taste the umami of rice by warming. It is an honest bottle dedicated to all who love dry sake.

Tenryohai is a brand bearing the traditional store name of the brewery, which has protected the history and tradition of Sado for generations. Harbouring the pride of Sado, which was a territory directly controlled by the shogunate, in its name, it is characterized by a deep-pocketed taste that has walked along with the regional food culture. Under the new system, while based on the traditional style, the quality has dramatically improved, adding modern 'purity' to the light and clean style typical of Niigata. It is a bottle with a sense of security and dignity that gently nestles in any cuisine and reminds one of the rich climate of Sado as the glass is stacked. Even if the times change, it embodies the unchanging spirit of the brewery that continues to be with the people of Sado.

Itaru is a brand symbolizing the philosophy of Henmi Shuzo, born out of the pursuit of 'attaining' (Itaru) the essence of sake. Through Sado's cool climate and careful brewing over time, it achieves amazingly sophisticated transparency and softness. It is a brand that can be called the brewery's treasure, which has been passed down as a 'phantom sake' among some enthusiastic enthusiasts. Its greatest feature is the overwhelming softness of the mouthfeel and the gentle drinking comfort as if it soaks into the body. Rather than relying on flashy aromas, it carefully polishes the original pure umami of rice and pursues the ultimate balance. It is a magic-like sake that invites you to a truly 'blissful time' where excitement spreads with every sip.

Kikunami was a flagship brand symbolizing the former Kikunami Shuzo. Its taste, created through sincere sake brewing using Sado's pure water and locally produced rice, had a simple charm that nestled in the daily lives of the island's people and never made one tired of it. Due to its closure, it has become a phantom brand that cannot be obtained now, but the sake quality, as clear as a chrysanthemum and as calm as a wave represented by the name 'Kikunami,' once colored many dinner tables. As a brand that embodied the strength and gentleness of Sado's local sake, it still shines in people's memories.