Sake Brands
in Niigata

Kamonoi is the flagship brand of Kamonoi Shuzo, which once enjoyed immense popularity in the Joetsu area bearing the brewery's name. It remains deeply engraved in the memories of many as a daily sake rooted in the region. Its traditional flavor, utilizing the umami of rice and designed to be enjoyed every day, was a symbol of local evening drink culture. Although its long history of production ended with the business transfer in 2000, it is still talked about among enthusiasts of that time.

Taninoi is a historic local sake bearing the brewery's name that was cherished in Itakura for about 150 years. Using its prized well water, it was characterized by a Joetsu-style 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry) profile that brought out the rice's inherent flavor while maintaining a clean finish. Evolving alongside regional food culture, it was long supported by local residents as a daily sake that colored evening drinks. Although production ended with the brewery's closure, its name remains engraved as an important memory in the history of Joetsu sake brewing.

Ayu is the high-end brand of Ayu Masamune Shuzo, pursuing a refreshing sensation and fleeting beauty like ayu (sweetfish) playing in a clear stream. Maximizing the brewery's prized spring water that wells up at 6 tons per hour, it creates a clear taste free of impurities. With an elegant, understated aroma and rice's gentle sweetness that spreads quietly, its quality seems to directly express the 'goodness of the water.' Centered on the silver-label Junmai Ginjo, it is a masterpiece embodying the brewer's obsession, cleanly coloring tables on special days.

Gin no Tsubasa (Silver Wings) is a special limited brand boasting extremely high rarity, accounting for only 4% of Hara Shuzo's total production. Sold only through limited partner stores in the local Kashiwazaki-Kariwa region, it is treated with care as the 'local pride.' Through thorough quality control and aging at optimal temperatures, they have brought out a calm aroma and silk-like smooth texture. Its modest but firm umami penetrates the heart with every sip, offering an elegant moment as if soaring through the sky on silver wings. It is a hidden treasure filled with the brewery's sincerity that you can only encounter by visiting the local area.

Awasshu is a sparkling Junmai sake that opens a new door to the world of sake. Using a special fermentation method developed by the Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute, it achieves a champagne-like mouthfeel where the natural sweetness of rice and fine bubbles from secondary fermentation in the bottle dance together. With a modest alcohol content of about 7%, it beautifully accompanies flamboyant Western-style aperitifs or after-dinner desserts when poured into a wine glass. It is a bottle where established quality, backed by a Gold Medal in the 'Sake in a Wine Glass Award,' merges with modern sensibility. Ideal as a gift for those experiencing sake for the first time.

Abe is the flagship brand symbolizing new passion of Abe Shuzo, launched in 2015 by the 6th generation, Yuta Abe, to rebuild the brewery. While maximizing the prized 'rice umami,' it features an impressive 'acidity,' offering a flavor that revolutionizes modern dining tables. In addition to the standard series, its diverse lineup includes the 'Star Series' themed around 'water, rice, and koji' and the 'Field-specific Series' expressing the characteristics of specific rice paddies in Kashiwazaki. Each bottle encapsulates the brewery's attitude of constantly challenging and enjoying the fermentation process itself.

Koshi no Otokoyama is a traditional label that Abe Shuzo has carefully protected for generations since its founding in 1804. In contrast to the innovative 'Abe' series, it is a brand that conveys the appearance of local sake once loved in Echigo-Kashiwazaki, symbolizing the brewery's own journey. With a clean mouthfeel and powerful rice umami that evokes nostalgia, it has long supported local evening drinking scenes. While evolving to meet the needs of the times, this name—the starting point for the brewery—is inherited as an important asset telling the story of Abe Shuzo's deep history.

Koshi no Kokoro (The Heart of Echigo) is a brand that values being close to the climate of Echigo and the 'hearts' of its people among the sakes brewed by Abe Shuzo. Based on traditional methods, it aims for a calm and deep flavor that adds richness to daily life. Its comfortable finish, which quietly accompanies meals without overpowering them, is a result of the sincere heart of the brewers nurtured in Kashiwazaki. Even in casual daily scenes, it is a brand filled with the brewery's feelings, making you feel the warmth of Echigo through a single cup.

Abe is an orthodox brand bearing the brewery's name and embodying the history and pride of Abe Shuzo. Based on traditional skills cultivated amidst the region's severe cold and snow, it brings out the plump inherent umami of rice, pursuing perfection as a sake to be enjoyed with meals. Characterized by an unadorned, honest flavor, it has been a mark of trust loved in its hometown of Kashiwazaki since founding. Carrying the brewer's surname, this name is an unchanging brand promising unwavering quality as 'Abe's Sake' passed down through generations.

Sabaishigo is a brand bearing the name of the Sabaishi region, a rich rural area spread across the basin of the Sabaishi River flowing through Kashiwazaki City. Hayashi Shuzojo, which stands with the regional history, brews this sake with gratitude toward the local climate. Using rice harvested locally and crafted carefully with ancient methods, this sake is truly 'the bounty of the village.' Its calm aroma and plump flavor utilizing rice sweetness pair perfectly with regional local cuisine, continuing to color local celebrations and gatherings for many years.

Sugi no Tsuyu (Dew from the Cedar) is the flagship brand of Hayashi Shuzojo, imaging a single drop of pure dew dripping from a cedar grove. Brewed using traditional 'Kanzukuri,' this sake features a simple yet stout, mellow flavor, where the rice umami polished to 60% is brought out through the power of lactic acid. The exquisite balance between the rich sweetness that spreads the moment it enters the mouth and the gentle acidity that tightens it, followed by a surprisingly clean finish, is remarkable. This is the essence of honest Echigo local sake, loved for many years in local evening drink scenes without pretense.

Hachikoku is a brand named after the 518-meter-high Mount Hachikoku that rises behind the brewery and separates Kashiwazaki and Nagaoka. Bearing the name of a symbol of regional nature, this local sake is a fusion of pure water—the bounty of the mountains—and the sincere skills of the brewers. The lineup, centered on Honjozo, is characterized by a flavor designed to be enjoyed with daily meals, making it impossible to grow tired of. Its qualities, somewhat simple and warm as if reflecting the mountain's strength and gentleness, allow one to feel the very climate of Kashiwazaki.

Hime no I is the flagship brand symbolizing the tradition and innovation of Ishizuka Shuzo. Its most distinctive feature lies in the time-consuming 'four-step brewing using glutinous rice in the fourth step.' Through this, the rice's inherent lustrous sweetness and deep richness perform an exquisite harmony. They have established an original style of 'Noko Karakuchi' (rich and dry) that provides a sharp finish rather than just being sweet. Widely supported in local Kashiwazaki as the 'spring-herald sake' that arrives in early spring, its broad flavor profile richly colors various dining scenes from sashimi to hearty stewed dishes.

Kameguchi-zake is a brand that can be called the origin of Ishizuka Shuzo, named after the 'kameguchi' (vat mouth) where sake first comes out when pressing the moromi (mash). It features a lively, freshly-pressed taste where the dense umami from four-step brewing with glutinous rice is concentrated. Its quality, which is rich yet surprisingly clean and sharp in the finish, makes one feel the strength nurtured by the severe nature of a heavy snowfall region. The balance of powerful yet delicate sweetness and richness, created by traditional brewing methods and pure spring water of Takayanagi, has a mysterious charm that becomes addictive once tasted.

Midorikawa is the main brand of Midorikawa Shuzo, captivating many sake fans with its transparent and clear flavor. While pursuing the 'Tanrei' quality typical of Echigo sake, it is not just dry; the gentle sweetness and umami of rice are melted in with great balance. Of particular note is its smooth mouthfeel. Shipped after careful maturation through low-temperature storage, the lack of rough edges upon entering the mouth and the clean finish that seems to vanish instantly are excellent. It is a refined brand as if the pure water and air of Uonuma were bottled exactly as they are.

Echigo Samurai is an innovative brand of Tamagawa Shuzo that shocked the world with a surprising '46% alcohol' specification, breaking common sense for sake. Pursuing sake brewing techniques to the limit, it achieves a refined deliciousness that doesn't feel rough despite its high alcohol content. Its most distinctive feature is its mysterious charm as 'non-freezing sake' that doesn't freeze even at sub-zero temperatures. The smooth mouthfeel that belies its high percentage and the refreshing stimulation that spreads after passing the throat make one feel a strength and purity like a samurai. It is a cup of sake that proposes a new style of sake, enjoyable on the rocks, with water, or even as a cocktail base.

Echigo no Choja is a community-based brand of Niigata Meijo, bearing a name that symbolizes the rich nature and prosperity of Niigata (Echigo). It pursues a refinement typical of Niigata sake, where the inherent flavor of rice lives, providing a plump umami while the aftertaste vanishes smoothly. Insisting on local ingredients from Ojiya and brewed with techniques cultivated over many years, this sake is supported as a high-quality bottle that adds flair to daily meals. Its versatile flavor, good both chilled and warmed, connects regional bonds and warmly envelops dining scenes, truly a brand concentrating the blessings of Echigo.

Fuyushogun (General Winter/Old Man Winter) is a seasonal brand of Niigata Meijo that powerfully symbolizes the arrival of Niigata's snowy winter. Befitting its brave name, this sake brewed amidst the severe winter cold features a fresh aroma and rich flavor. Its particularly popular Nigori (cloudy) sake maintains an exquisite balance between a smooth mouthfeel where rice sweetness is concentrated and a refreshing stimulation when passing the throat. It pairs perfectly with nabe (hot pot) dishes, a winter delicacy, and provides a joy unique to snow country, as if warming your heart and body from the core in contrast to the cold outside air.

Hina no Yukigura is a brand that concentrates the essence of snow storage technology cultivated by Takanoi Shuzo. By letting it sleep in a quiet snow cellar in a mountain village (Hina), it gives the sake a deep peace and maturity. The constant low temperature and high humidity unique to the snow cellar advance the maturation of the sake slowly and surely. The dignified refreshing feeling that spreads the moment it enters the mouth, followed by a calm and deep umami, is as if tasting the winter of the snow country itself. It is an emotionally rich bottle one would want to enjoy with luxurious time.

Ryoga is a premium brand born from the challenging spirit of 'surpassing and running beyond' (Ryoga) existing frameworks based on techniques and experience cultivated by Matsunoi Shuzojo. While maintaining the traditional brewery's stance, it pursues high-quality brewing with new sensibilities. Brewed slowly at low temperatures with carefully polished sake rice, this sake features a flowery and transparent aroma and a refined clear flavor. This brand, filled with the brewery's pride, is a cup like a work of art that brings out the maximum potential of the sake itself. It is a brand filled with passion to carve out the future of sake.

Eiho is the highest-grade brand concentrated with the essence of the brewery's technology and tradition, bearing the name of Eiho Furusawa, the founder of Matsunoi Shuzojo. To record the founder's name is a mark of maximum confidence and responsibility from the brewery. It is truly a masterpiece representing the history of Matsunoi itself. Brewed with all their strength by the brewers during the severe cold using 'Koshi Tanrei' sake rice from Niigata polished to 35%, this Junmai Daiginjo features a flowery and dignified aroma and an incredibly smooth, silk-like profound flavor. It is a work of art of sake that Tokamachi is proud of, suitable for celebratory cups on special days or gifts for important people.

Nechi is a world-standard premium brand expressing the culmination of the 'Domaine' (estate-owned land) style advocated by Watanabe Shuzoten. By using only rice harvested from specific rice fields in Nechi Valley where the brewery is located and consistently managing everything from cultivation to brewing, it pursues the ultimate terroir. Displaying a 'Vintage' (harvest year) like wine, its greatest feature is a flavor that maximizes the individuality of rice created by each year's climate. The quality, brewed through precise temperature control and careful manual labor, possesses overwhelming transparency and refined elegance. It is a brand that opens up new possibilities for sake, sealing the land's story into every drop.

Nechi Otokoyama is a brand that can be called the origin of Watanabe Shuzoten, fusing the strength of traditional brewing with the pure nature of Nechi Valley. It has been deeply loved locally even before the establishment of the Domaine style and passed down as a regional pride. Focusing on estate-grown rice, it features a balanced quality achieving both powerful umami and a sharp clean finish. While having the powerfulness that makes one feel the inherent vitality of rice, the aftertaste is infinitely pure. It harmonizes brilliantly with any dish and brings a sense of security and richness to the dining table. It is a trusted long-selling brand where the belief of 'brewing the land' lives.

Katanoi is a representative brand named by combining the 'Gata' (lagoon) of Ogata-ku, where Koyama Shuzoten is located, and 'I' (well), the lifeblood of brewing. It contains gratitude for the beautiful scenery of Ogata, where many lagoons were once scattered, and for the high-quality water nurtured by the earth. Its quality is characterized as 'Tanrei Umakuchi,' where the mellow umami of rice perfectly melts into the clean and light mouthfeel typical of Niigata sake. Its versatility, being delicious both chilled for a sharp taste and warmed for a plump flavor, is also attractive. It is loved as a great supporting player at the dining table, enhancing local dishes blessed with seafood.

Echigo Jiman is a representative brand brewed by Koyama Shuzoten with pride in the history of Echigo (Niigata) and their own skills. It features a sincere flavor that directly shapes the brewery's philosophy of 'careful brewing without cutting corners.' Niigata-grown sake rice is brewed with underground water from the sacred Mt. Yoneyama and carefully matured using traditional handmade methods. While based on the 'Tanrei' sharpness typical of Niigata sake, it pursues a balanced quality that lets one feel the solid presence and umami of rice. It combines the approachability of a daily evening drink with the dignity suitable for special occasions. The 'pride' (Jiman) of the flavor nurtured by the terroir of Echigo has been loved by many local drinkers for years and is familiar as the face of the community-based brewery.