Sake Brands
in Niigata

Kubota is a monumental brand of Asahi Shuzo that has revolutionized Japanese sake brewing since its birth in 1985. It is also the leader that established the 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry) style, which was innovative at the time, and made the name of Niigata sake known to the world. Its charm lies above all in the 'ultimate drinking comfort that never tires the drinker.' In addition to the traditional lineup such as Manju, Senju, and Hyakuju, its stance of never stopping evolution while staying close to the changes of the times, such as Junmai Daiginjo and sparkling sakes tailored to modern food scenes, is supported. While maximizing the umami of rice, the sharpness at the moment it passes through the throat is vivid. From daily meals to special anniversaries, it is an eternal classic of sake that softly stays close in any scene and richly colors the dining table.

Tsuru no Tomo (Companion of the Crane) is the proud representative brand of Hiki Shuzo, a famous sake that has nestled in the lives of Niigata people from celebrations to everyday moments. 'Tsuru' (Crane) symbolizes longevity and happiness, and 'Tomo' (Companion/Friend) symbolizes the bonds and warm relationships between people, containing the wish for happiness to come to the drinker. While protecting the 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry) style which is the tradition of Niigata sake, it is characterized by the coexistence of the original glossy umami of rice and a clear sharp finish that passes through the throat smoothly. Its appearance, which elegantly enhances the taste of dishes without asserting itself too much, is exactly like a sincere and reliable 'Friend.' It is a bottle where you can enjoy the elegance and warmth that authentic sake has, which does not fade over time.

Hokusetsu is the flagship brand that most purely embodies the spirit of Hokusetsu Shuzo. Aiming for harmony between 'Sado's nature, water, rice, and people,' it boasts a diverse lineup from traditional Daiginjo to innovative products using centrifugal separators. In particular, 'Daiginjo YK35' is an ultimate bottle created by polishing Yamada Nishiki, a variety of rice suitable for sake brewing, to 35% and slowly fermenting it at low temperatures for a long time. The mellow aroma like pear or melon and the throat-feel as smooth as water give an impact enough to overturn the concept of sake. It is a brand that has firmly established its position as 'World's Hokusetsu,' having both a dignified beauty nurtured in Sado's severe winter and world-standard quality.

Matsunoi is the signature brand symbolizing the brewery, nurtured by Tokamachi's rich nature and pure water sources. Its greatest feature is a balanced flavor where rice umami spreads richly while faithfully maintaining the 'Tanrei Karakuchi' identity of Niigata sake. Brewed through Tokamachi's severe winter, this sake has a sharp clean finish combined with a gentle mouthfeel where the warm sincerity of the brewers can be felt. It pairs extremely well with regional local cuisine such as the famous 'Hegi Soba,' and is a brand of trust and tradition that has stayed deeply close to and walked together with the lives of local people.

Aumont is a flagship brand of Aumont Shuzo that is proud to be global, also adopted as the new company name. Its design was born inspired by the European royal emblems and wine farm landscapes that the 4th generation head saw during his study in Germany in his young days. As per the original concept, it contains the ambition of conveying 'regal style' all over the world through food culture. While maintaining Niigata's traditional sharpness, it is characterized by a sake quality where fruity aroma reminiscent of wine and elegant, fresh sweetness are harmonized. As told by the history of producing Japan's first female brewer, it aims for a taste loved beyond gender and borders, being an elegant sake that flavors meals widely from daily dining tables to special day dinners.

Koshino Setsugetsuka is a premium brand brewed with the pinnacle of Myoko Shuzo's techniques. With the desire to 'put the beauty of the four seasons into a single cup,' the brewery adheres to rigorous quality control, including bottle pasteurization for all products (except unpasteurized sake) and cold storage in bottles. The lineup, centered on Daiginjo and Junmai Daiginjo, offers a supreme flavor where delicate, floral aromas resonate with a snow-like, pure clarity. It is a masterpiece embodying the aesthetic sense of Echigo, perfect for gifts or coloring special moments.

Kiminoi is the flagship brand symbolizing over 180 years of history, bearing the brewery's name. Using pure spring water from Mount Myoko and carefully selected Niigata-grown rice, it is characterized by a deep, rich flavor centered on the traditional 'Yamahai-shikomi' method. The brewing style, where mellow and profound umami resonates with a crisp finish, demonstrates its true worth across a wide temperature range from chilled to warmed. It is a masterpiece that has been loved across generations as a 'daily craft sake' that colors everyday life.

Jozen Mizu no Gotoshi is an innovative brand that threw a stone into the history of sake, pushing Shirataki Shuzo to global prominence. Its name is derived from Laozi's words 'Jozen wa Mizu no Gotoshi' (the best way of life is to be like water), pursuing the ultimate purity that stays close to any person or dish and never asserts itself too much. The clarity as pure as snowmelt water and surprisingly light and smooth throat hit are the culmination of the philosophy that 'sake should be drinkable like water.' Its refined taste, which is friendly to sake beginners and even impresses experts, has become a standard in the modern sake scene. It is a symbol of Shirataki Shuzo that connects people's hearts with flexibility like water, crossing eras and borders.

Yoshinogawa is a legendary brand representing Niigata, carrying forward traditional techniques that date back to the Warring States period. Walking hand-in-hand with the history of the brewing town Settya, its flavor is defined by overwhelming transparency and a sharp finish produced by pure water and selected rice. From long-selling classics like 'Gokujo Yoshinogawa' to the new-generation 'Minamo' series, it possesses a dignity that elevates any occasion. It is the quintessential Niigata sake, alive with the region's climate and 470 years of passion.

Chateau Myoko is an innovative brand by Myoko Shuzo that pursues the approach of sake pairing with Western cuisine. It features a sophisticated design reminiscent of a champagne bottle and a fruity, transparent flavor intended to be enjoyed in wine glasses. Highly acclaimed in international contests, it is a brand that symbolizes the internationalization of sake. While respecting tradition, it embodies the pride of 'modern sake' that adds color to dining tables around the world.

Yukikage is an extremely sophisticated brand that fuses the tradition of Kinshihai Shuzo with modern sensibilities. It pursues a mysterious and transparent beauty in a drop of sake, like shadows moonlight casts on snow surfaces on a silent night in a snow country. Its greatest feature is the surprisingly smooth and clear mouthfeel born from the cool natural water of Mt. Sugana. It thoroughly removes unnecessary off-flavors and highlights the original delicate sweetness and elegant aroma of rice. The pure taste is an artistic finish that one wants to enjoy by sharpening the five senses. The label design is also stylish and perfectly matches modern urban scenes and creative dishes. It is a brand where the brewery's tradition and innovative spirit have successfully bore fruit, sensing a new era of Niigata sake.

Katafune is the face of Takeda Shuzoten and a world-standard signature brand that rewrote the international evaluation of sake. Written as 'Lagoon Boat' in Kanji, it derives from the emotional scenery of Ogata-ku where lagoons once were scattered and boats came and went. Its greatest feature is a 'rich and round sweet' style, extremely rare in Niigata Prefecture. With one sip, the dense inherent sweetness of rice spreads throughout the mouth, yet it has a refined sharpness where the aftertaste disappears quickly. Its outstanding quality has been proven internationally, including winning the World's No. 1 title three times at IWC. It is a masterpiece with superb elegance that changes the concept of sweet sake.

Koshi no Happo is a Junmai-oriented brand that aims to express the rich blessings of Echigo from 'eight (many)' aspects. Condensing the purity brought by the water of the Agano River and the umami of carefully selected rice, it achieves the ultimate perfection as an 'In-meal sake' that nestles in the cuisine. Its characteristic is the coexistence of the rich body unique to Junmai sake and the surprising smoothness due to the super-soft water brewing. From sharp and dry to mellow types that highlight the sweetness of rice, it develops a lineup tailored to diverse dining scenes. It is a deep-pocketed sake where you can enjoy the rich climate of Echigo with all five senses.

Echigo Sekkobai is the flagship brand of Hasegawa Shuzo. Its name was given by the legendary composer Minoru Endo, who personally calligraphed the characters for the brewery. Brewed with meticulous care using traditional handmade methods in cellars dating back to the Meiji and Taisho eras, this sake reflects the heritage of Nagaoka. Today, the careful craftsmanship of the women who lead the brewery shines through, resulting in a flavor that is typically Niigata-lean but with a distinctive gentle softness. In addition to being a traditional local sake, the brand offers modern styles like the 'Tabineko' seasonal series, which fits seamlessly onto contemporary dining tables.

Shinryo is a flagship brand that has supported the long history of Henmi Shuzo. They were quick to adopt a manufacturing method close to 'unfiltered' that does not involve excessive filtration or coloring after filtration, packing the original golden brilliance of rice and the mellow umami into the bottle without exception. Its taste is truly like 'rice juice.' The gentle sweetness of rice that spreads the moment you sip it, the solid body that follows later, and the pleasant sharpness that quietly disappears are beautifully harmonized. It is a traditional bottle with both a strong core and gentleness, nurtured by Sado's severe winter and pure water, that makes one want to continue drinking forever.

Takachiyo (Kanji) is a brand that respects the tradition that is the origin of the brewery. Maximizing the severe winter of Minami Uonuma and the individuality of the in-house cultivated rice 'Ipponjime,' it pursues a taste that is robust yet possesses elegance as a sake during meals. Suppressing impurities thoroughly by flat polishing, the pure umami of rice is brilliantly expressed. This sake, where brewing techniques passed down for generations and the latest polishing technology have come to fruition, lets its depth permeate the body the more you drink, and it is indeed a product that can be called the spiritual pillar of Takachiyo Shuzo. It is a high-class traditional taste that has been long loved by local people and supports the food culture of Uonuma, the food capital.

Koshi no Hakuro is the flagship brand representing the long history and tradition of Hakuro Shuzo. Achieving the pinnacle of Niigata's 'tanrei karakuchi' (light and dry) style, it features a crisp, clean finish and a sophisticated transparency that complements any cuisine. The label proudly features the 'Mitsu-kashiwa' crest of the Makino family, making it a supreme sake where local history and brewing passion resonate. From daily meals to special gifts, it remains a long-cherished staple of Nagaoka.

Sechubai is one of Niigata's representative sakes and the symbol of Maruyama Shuzojo's convictions. Its greatest charm lies in a 'tanrei amakuchi' (light and sweet) flavor that brings out the gentle sweetness of rice, paired with an elegant and modest aroma reminiscent of plum blossoms heralding spring in snow country. The texture—created by the soft mountain water and traditional hand-crafted koji—is incredibly smooth, with a comfort that feels as though it melts away in the mouth like snow. Imbued with the soul of Maruyama Shuzojo, which sincerely pursues 'delicious sake' without being swayed by trends, it remains beloved by many enthusiasts.

Yoshikawa Toji is a brand bearing the regional history and technology, the pride of the brewery, in its name. It is a bottle that straightly conveys the tradition of Yoshikawa-ku, famous as a production area of Echigo Toji, and the certain skilled techniques of the brewers to modern drinkers. Based on traditional methods, it features a warm umami of rice and a clean aftertaste that one never tires of even if drinking every day. It is a 'community-focused' flavor that stays close to local food culture and further enhances home cooking. An orthodox brand that can be called the symbol of the brewery, crystalizing love for the land of Yoshikawa and pride as a brewer.

Koshiji Fubuki is the signature brand of Takano Shuzo, a dignified sake named after the famous Showa singer Koshiji Fubuki. It pursues a refined beauty by overlapping her gorgeous presence as a native of Niigata City with the fantastic scene of a 'Fubuki' (Blizzard) shown by the harsh nature of the snow country. While mastering the light sake quality that is a synonym for Niigata sake, its biggest charm is the delicate umami hidden within and a sharp finish as clean as snow. It has a dignified style that fascinates the drinker, like a star standing on stage, and enhances any banquet setting. It is a masterpiece that connects the Showa era and the present, loved for a long time by sake fans not only in local Niigata but also across Japan.

Denyu is a brand reflecting gratitude to the earth that nurtures rice and the people involved, as its name 'Friend of the Rice Field' suggests. Insisting on contract-grown rice from local Ojiya, it is brewed with careful manual labor to bring out its umami to the maximum. The quality, where plump rice umami and clean finish coexist, is truly a sake where 'rice takes the lead.' Symbolizing the brewery's stance of supporting regional agriculture and walking together, this sake makes one feel an attachment to the land the more one drinks. It is a heartwarming brand that combines the peace of mind of seeing the faces of the producers with reliable quality.

Homare Kirin is a premium brand boasted by Kaetsu Shuzo. Among the flagship brand 'Kirin,' it is a sake full of dignity, brewed by gathering the essence of the brewery's techniques, especially pursuing 'honorable' quality. Its greatest feature is the extremely refined sake quality, finished under strict quality standards by two generations of Japanese sake appraisers, using highly polished selected rice and special yeast. The gorgeous and elegant aroma, silk-like smooth mouthfeel, and comfortable aftertaste integrate to produce a supreme moment. It is often chosen for celebratory seats, gifts for important people, or as a luxurious reward for oneself, and it is truly one of the masterpiece items of the brewery filled with pride and passion of Echigo brewers.

Kiri no To is a brand named after the deep forests of Tsunan, the mist that hangs in the air during the snowmelt season, and the scenery of sacred mountains. It reflects the respect for the history that once governed this land and the fantastic scenery unique to the snow country in one bottle of sake. Its liquor quality is as soft as mist, but makes one feel a dignified core strength like a tower. In the smooth throat pass by soft water brewing, the gentle sweetness of rice spreads softly, providing a drinking comfort that quietly permeates the heart. It is a sake that gives such deep afterglow and calmness that makes one want to leave everyday life and slowly face the quiet night of the snow country.

Kamonishiki is a long-standing flagship brand symbolizing the history and tradition of Kamonishiki Shuzo. It is a reliable taste that supports daily evening drinks and has been familiar to all generations in local Niigata. It is characterized by a calm aroma and a simple yet deep mouthfeel that makes one feel the umami of rice firmly. While having the refreshing feeling typical of Niigata's light and dry style, the modest nature that does not interfere with the taste of dishes can be called a 'life sake' that deeply blends into eating habits. While the feelings put into traditional labels remain the same, it has been polished to higher quality with modern technology. It is a brand that can be called the brewery's origin, conveying attachment to the local area and sincerity in sake brewing to the present.

Kiyoizumi is a major brand supporting the framework of Kusumi Shuzo, its name deriving from clear spring water springing from the mountains of Nagaoka. It is a sake that most purely expresses the brewery's basic stance of pouring passion into Junmai brewing. It features a balanced and pure taste where a firm umami core of rice can be felt despite being light. While possessing a clean sharpness typical of Niigata sake, a gentle afterglow remains comfortably, harmonizing beautifully with a wide variety of dishes as a sake for meals. Its high-grade taste that never tires the drinker has gained immense trust from many sake fans as an 'ideal daily sake.'