Sake Brands
in Niigata

NOBU is a premium brand released to the world by Hokusetsu Shuzo, crowned with the name of the world-renowned charismatic chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. This series, loved and drunk at 'NOBU' restaurants all over the world, has established its position as 'the best sake that complements dishes' across borders and cultures. Each lineup, including Ginjo, Daiginjo, and top-class products using centrifugal separators, pursues the ultimate balance to support diverse gastronomic experiences, from delicate Japanese cuisine to powerful fusion dishes. The taste, which has captivated celebrities all over the world including Robert De Niro, is a global standard born from Sado's rich terroir.

Kintsuru is the only brand representing Kato Shuzo Ten and is a brand deeply loved by Sado islanders as a daily sake. The essence of the brewery, 'using local ingredients and making sake loved by local people,' is condensed into this single bottle. While following the royal road of Niigata sake, 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry), it is characterized by an exquisite balance that pulls out a plump umami instead of completely erasing the sweetness of rice. It demonstrates its ability in all temperature ranges from cold to warm, and nestles supremely in home-style dishes such as seasonal fish dishes and simmered dishes. It is a sake like the sincere spirit of Sado itself, having won trust only with quality without putting out any flashy advertisements.

Sado no Doburoku is a brand that connects Sado's rich rural culture to the next generation and can be called the origin of Sado Hakko. It has sublimated the most primitive and energy-filled form of sake, which is not pressed, into a sophisticated quality with high brewing technology. The thick and rich mouthfeel and the sense of satisfaction where the rich flavor of rice spreads throughout the mouth. The fresh taste that conveys the breath of fermentation as it is is the terroir of Sado itself. It is a flavorful and powerful bottle loved by health-conscious people and true sake lovers.

Sasaiwai is the flagship brand symbolizing the spirit of Sasaiwai Shuzo. The name, which carries the wish to be 'sake that celebrates local joy,' promises a warm taste in harmony with Niigata's gentle nature. The 'Sasajirushi' series, which they specifically focus on, pursues an exquisite balance of being 'rich yet easy to drink and never getting tired of.' By sticking to non-filtration and in-bottle aging, it realizes a pleasant sharpness where the aftertaste disappears quickly while drawing out the sweetness and umami of rice to the maximum. Also attractive is its lineup that meets diverse needs, such as 'Sasasunday,' which is easy for women and young people to get familiar with, and the sophisticated 'Chikurin Sofu.' It is a sincere hand-crafted sake that nestles in the daily life of Niigata and turns everyday moments into celebrations.

Echigo Tsurukame is the immovable signature brand that bears the name of the brewery. Based on the traditional virtue of Niigata sake, 'clean taste,' it is a modern sake where the plump umami of rice and comfortable acidity are harmonized at a high level. Especially the Junmai Ginjo series recommended for enjoying in wine glasses is characterized by a fresh aroma reminiscent of green apples and melons and natural sweetness derived from rice. While sticking to traditional hand-crafted production methods, thorough quality control by one-time pasteurization and in-bottle storage supports the stable deliciousness that gives an impression whenever drunk. Loved by various generations, including being sold on the Joetsu Shinkansen, its taste is like a 'gem of the dining table' that Niigata is proud of.

Ryoko is an innovative brand by Mineno Hakubai Shuzo, named after calligrapher Maki Ryoko. To overturn the existing image of Niigata sake, Toji Iijima, who honed his skills at a famous brewery in Aizu, is challenging a new frontier called 'Hojun Karakuchi' (rich and dry). A glamorous and rich aroma, a rich taste where the sweetness and umami of rice are fully extracted, and a firm sharpness at the end. This multi-layered deliciousness has impressed professionals all over the world, winning the top prize trophy at IWC 2023. 'Ryoko,' woven by traditional skills, the passion of the Toji, and Niigata's rich water, is one of the most energetic brands today, proposing a new standard for sake.

Mineno Hakubai is a brand for dedication that carries the tradition of the brewery spanning 400 years. Based on the unique philosophy of 'Hojun Karakuchi' (rich and dry), it doesn't just end with being dry but combines the rich umami of rice and a dignified aftertaste. The taste created by Niigata's gentle nature and technology polished by history has an elegance that nestles in the essence of Japanese cuisine. The trust that has been loved for many years in the local Niigata area coexists with a strength that complements any gastronomy and a gentleness that deeply permeates the hearts of the drinkers. It is an immortal masterpiece with history and style that every Niigata local sake fan knows.

Takarayama is a flagship brand symbolizing the pride of the brewery that has been loved for more than 130 years in the land of Iwamuro Onsen. Its name contains respect for the earth that brings rich harvest and a wish for the drinker's life to shine like a treasure. While having a 'Tanrei' (light) sharpness characteristic of Niigata, it is characterized by a mellow mouthfeel and elegant umami. Its taste, polished to nestle in the dishes of the local hot spring town, colors the dining table peacefully. It is a secure orthodox sake that protects traditional winter brewing techniques and straightforwardly pulls out the goodness of rice and water. It is an exquisite product like the spirit of the brewery itself, where the reason for being loved for a long time is conveyed in one sip.

Nisai no Kamoshi is an innovative brand born from the challenge of young talents who throw a stone into the future of the sake industry. Brewers and sellers under 30 years old team up and pack sensibilities and passion that only that generation can create into the bottle. The biggest feature is an approach that overturns common sense, using the highest quality table rice, Niigata-produced Koshihikari, with a polishing ratio of 60%. It coexists with a fruity and fresh aroma reminiscent of bananas and pears, a plump sweetness unique to table rice, and an amazing clean aftertaste. Along with the sophisticated appearance that won the Good Design Award, its taste that makes one feel a new era is a drop that symbolizes the 'new dawn' of sake.

Fukugao is a flagship brand that embodies the brewery's thoughts. It is brewed with the aim of bringing small happiness and a literal 'smiling face (Fukugao)' to the drinkers' daily life. The biggest feature is the silky smooth and rounded mouthfeel created by the super soft water of the Igarashi River. Reserved yet elegant sweetness and gentle acidity melt together in an exquisite balance, elegantly conveying the rich umami of rice. While having various expressions from traditional Junmai sake to a surprising bottle aged in whiskey barrels, a common gentleness flows at the root. It is a sake that warms the heart, filled with the terroir of Sanjo and the sincerity of the brewers.

Echigo Heiya is a brand with deep attachment to the region, containing the blessings of the vast Echigo Plain in a single bottle. The strength of the rice nurtured in this fertile land, including Sanjo City, and the transparent drinking mouth that makes one feel the clear air are attractive. It goes well with any dish and is a presence that supports daily evening drinks casually and with certain satisfaction. The simple yet strong taste that reminds one of the rich terroir of the Echigo Plain is deeply rooted in the lives of local people.

Usuya is a special heritage brand that carries on the history of Fukugao Shuzo dating back to its founding. It looks back at the origin of the brewery and expresses the depth of tradition polished over many years. It is characterized by a calm and dignified taste and a rich, lingering aftertaste. While making one feel the weight of history, its sophisticated balance that never feels old-fashioned is the very figure of 'sake loved across time.' It is a bottle full of style suitable for when you want to savor important time carefully.

Igarashigawa is the ultimate local sake brand named after the Igarashi River, which can be called the source of life in Sanjo, and committed to 100% Sanjo-produced raw materials (Koshi Tanrei). It perfectly fuses the amazing transparency created by the super soft water of this river with the swelling umami of rice. The taste that straightly expresses the land of Sanjo from both sides of water and rice is the local 'terroir' itself. It is a brand that combines sharpness and rich expression, reminiscent of the clear and powerful river flow. It is a soul bottle that the local area is proud of, concentrating Sanjo's identity into every single drop.

Tokiwamatsu is a traditional brand inherited by Murayu Shuzo, a historical brand that has been loved for many years in its local Niigata. Its name, symbolizing unchanging quality, contains the brewery's vow to deliver delicious sake in any era, like the pine needles that never wither. Drawing a line from the innovative sweet style of the 'Murayu' brand, it is characterized by a very elegant taste where dignified Ginjo aroma and sophisticated sweetness are harmonized. The pure philosophy of owner-brewer Mr. Murayama, 'making things that I feel are delicious,' lives in this local traditional brand, boasting a high degree of perfection that makes one stand tall every time they drink it.

Hanakoshiji is a flagship brand of Murayu Shuzo for the local community, reflecting the rich landscape of Kosudo, Niigata. Fitting for the beautiful name 'Path of Blooming Echigo,' it is brewed carefully with as much time and effort as upper classes, even though it is Futsu-shu (regular sake). The biggest feature is the exquisite resonance of the rich sweetness that colors daily life and the sharp finish that disappears amazingly quickly. The elegant aftertaste reminiscent of high-grade Japanese sweets never loses its charm whether chilled or warmed. It is a sake like a local treasure, concentrating the brewery's sincere attitude of 'delivering high-quality sake to local dining tables.'

Takamura Kei is a special brand among Murayu Shuzo's limited lineups where the technical beauty and artistry of owner-brewer Kensuke Murayama are pursued to the limit. It is a supreme sake born from a stoic attitude aiming for the best taste without being bound by specific specifications. Based on the elegant sweetness characteristic of the 'Murayu' brand, it further sharpens it to realize the ultimate sophistication woven by depth and complexity. The high informative content in one sip and the artistic degree of perfection where they are beautifully harmonized possess a style suitable for being chosen as a drink for a special day. It is a rare brand where you can experience the 'ultimate of sweet style,' with only a limited number released to the world.

Murayu is a revolutionary brand that shook the sake world by challenging Niigata's 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry) market with the new concept of 'elegant sweet style.' Its taste, inspired by 'Wasanbon' sugar, has no stickiness like sugar, and multi-layered sweetness and a clean finish that disappears quickly coexist. Details such as rice type, polishing ratio, sake meter value (SMV), and acidity are not disclosed at all. This mysterious policy is the strong belief of owner Mr. Murayama, who wants people to 'throw away prejudices called specs and purely enjoy the deliciousness felt by the tongue.' By adopting ranking like German wine (Black, Navy, Akane, etc.), it continues to propose new ways to enjoy sake. Coupled with the rarity created by limited distribution, it is a brand that can be called a pioneer of the sweet sake boom, making sake fans across the country enthusiastic.