Sake Brands
in Niigata

Haruki is a dedicated brand carving out the future of the brewery, bearing the name of Takeda Haruki, the ninth-generation owner of Takeda Shuzoten. Pouring all his passion and skills as a master brewer responsible for the next generation, it was born as a special bottle where the inheritance of tradition and new challenges fuse. While based on the supreme sweet style that 'Katafune' has protected, it adds a modern refined sensibility. It features a dignified core within the sweetness and an afterglow that resonates incredibly beautifully. The brewer's stance of pursuing sake that he himself can truly call 'delicious' and pouring his soul into every bottle has captured the hearts of many sake fans. It is a brand showing a new frontier for Takeda Shuzoten, shedding new light on tradition.

Sesshu is a brand familiar as a sake that stays close to the local daily life, based on the knowledge of sweet sake brewing cultivated by Takeda Shuzoten over many years. Like the master painter Sesshu of the Muromachi period, it pursues universal beauty and flavor loved across eras. It features a deep and mellow flavor that boasts outstanding compatibility with local Joetsu cuisine and home cooking with sweet and spicy seasoning. The attractiveness lies in the balance that maximizes the sweetness of rice, which only a brewery sticking to sweet style for over 150 years can achieve. It is a trusted long-selling brand that continues to be chosen by local people as 'the usual delicious sake.'

Kubiki is the signature brand symbolizing Kubiki Shuzo, its name deriving from the ancient name of the Joetsu region. Missioned to convey the regional history and terroir to the present, it is a sake that condenses the blessings of the rich land of local Kakizaki into every drop. While light, it features a balanced quality where the powerful umami of rice is firmly alive. Designed in pursuit of perfect harmony with meals, every sip enhances the attractiveness of dishes and invites the next sip. It is an orthodox brand filled with the brewery's pride, embodying a sincere brewing stance in harmony with the nature of Kakizaki.

Echigo Toji no Sato is a brand named with deep respect for the professional brewers of Niigata, the Echigo Toji. The Kakizaki district is a historical base that has produced many famous Toji, and the soul of that tradition is passed down to modern brewing. Leveraging the traditional brewing techniques of Echigo Toji, it features a warm flavor of rice that makes one feel a sense of nostalgia. Staying close to local food culture, it has outstanding compatibility with Kakizaki regional cuisine and seafood. It is a simple and sturdy brand unique to Kakizaki, the 'hometown of toji,' conveying regional culture and pride to future generations.

Chibitagawa is the signature brand representing Yoyogiku Jozo, its name deriving from the 'Chibitagawa' spring at the foot of Mt. Yoneyama. This pure water, which has a legend of being praised as the 'miraculous water of eternal youth' by the famous Edo-era monk Ryokan, is the source of their brewing. Its greatest feature is a silky smooth and gentle mouthfeel that maximizes the characteristics of Mt. Yoneyama's underground water (ultra-soft water). The pure sweetness of rice spreads softly, and the aftertaste is crystal clear. It is one of the famous sakes representing Joetsu, created by the natural blessings of Kakizaki and careful work using traditional 'Funashibori' pressing.

Gataichi is one of the signature brands of Kato Shuzo, a local sake bearing the name of 'Gata' (lagoon) that symbolizes the Joetsu region. Affection for the regional landscape and history, which once had scattered lagoons and was blessed with rich water, is contained in its name. In pursuit of a clean and light 'Tanrei' mouthfeel that one never tires of, so it can be enjoyed for daily evening drinks. Within that, a certain umami derived from rice can be felt, finishing into a flavor that provides comfort. It is a bottle loved as the closest existence to the local people, staying close to the nature and food of Yoshikawa-ku.

Kiyomasa is a mainstay brand that Kato Shuzo has carefully brewed for many years, its name said to derive from the Sengoku military commander Kato Kiyomasa. It is a sake possessing both a firm core of strength and a pure sharpness, overlapping with the image of a military commander. Using sake rice from local Yoshikawa-ku and clear water, it is carefully finished with traditional brewing methods. Its characteristic is a balance that does not interfere with dishes but rather enhances their flavor, making it a versatile quality that can be enjoyed with daily meals. It is a trusted brand long loved locally, embodying the pride of the brewery rooted in the region.

Echigoya is a brand developed by Kato Shuzo bearing a traditional business name. It is brewed with the good old business spirit of Niigata (Echigo) and a sense of gratitude to the community. Using rice and water blessed by the rich nature of Yoshikawa-ku, it achieves both unpretentious approachability and certain quality. While light, it features a harmonious taste that never tires the drinker. As a sake that supports community life, it values a gentle personality that blends into the scenery of daily life.

Arigatashi is an innovative brand from Yoshikawa Toji no Sato that challenges conventional wisdom in sake. While it is usually considered that higher polishing (lower percentage) removes impurities and leads to higher quality, this brand dares to set the rice polishing at '90% (low polishing).' One can enjoy a unique taste that maximizes the powerful umami and potential inherent in rice. The raw material is the highest-grade Yamada Nishiki cultivated without pesticides or chemical fertilizers using the Nagata-style natural farming method. The name 'Arigatashi' contains deep gratitude for the blessings of nature and the farmers who nurture every grain of rice. It stands apart from conventional fruity Ginjo sakes, its mellow and complex umami that makes one feel the energy of the earth gaining enthusiastic support among sake fans.

Yukizakari is a brand containing thoughts for the severe winter of Niigata and the snow symbolizing it. Using pure snowmelt water of Yoshikawa-ku, a heavy snowfall area, it is a sake brewed by utilizing the maturation environment unique to a snow country. Its greatest feature is a pure and transparent mouthfeel like silently falling and accumulating snow. While not flashy, as one continues to drink, the plump flavor of rice spreads gradually, finishing into a quality that warms the heart. A sincere and simple local sake that lets one feel the winter emotions of Niigata.

Tenkeiraku is a major brand representing Yoshikawa Toji no Sato, containing the wish to 'enjoy the blessings of heaven (nature) harmoniously.' As its name suggests, it is a well-balanced sake where skilled craftsmen harmonize good rice produced by the rich nature of Yoshikawa and pure water. Its greatest features are a flowery and transparent aroma and a smooth mouthfeel. Designed in pursuit of drinking comfort, it harmonizes beautifully not only with Japanese food but also with Western and modern dishes. Its approachable and elegant quality is highly evaluated especially by women and those new to sake, and it has gained popularity as an 'evolved local sake' suitable for modern dining tables.

Natsuko Monogatari is an iconic brand of Kusumi Shuzo named after the legendary manga 'Natsuko no Sake.' It conveys the emotion and passion of the grand story based on the brewery's real story of resurrecting the extinct miraculous sake rice 'Kamenoo.' Using the pure water of Niigata and raw material rice carefully grown by the brewers, it is brewed with care for the simple umami inherent in rice. A sip brings to mind the rural landscape where golden rice ears sway and the thoughts of people who dedicated their passion to brewing, characterized by a somewhat nostalgic and warm flavor. It is a bottle that has moved many people's hearts beyond the framework of sake, making one feel the weight of history.

Iwai Tsurukame is a brand brewed as a brand suitable for gifts for auspicious occasions or celebratory tables. As its name suggests, it bears 'Tsuru' (crane) and 'Kame' (turtle), symbols of longevity and prosperity, and is loved as a sake that adds color to feelings of celebration. While maintaining the commitment to Junmai brewing, it features a high-quality quality suitable for joyful occasions, where flowery and bright aromas harmonize with the rich umami of rice. The stable taste created by Kusumi Shuzo's traditional techniques has a mysterious power to make both the giver and the receiver smile. An auspicious bottle that colors milestones of life and important anniversaries.

Tenjo Taifu is the peak brand of Ikeura Shuzo, named after the famous words said to have been written on a kite by the Zen monk Ryokan when playing kite-flying with children. It is a sake expressing Ryokan's free-spirited mind and a refreshing feeling like the clear sky of Nagaoka. Locally produced sake rice 'Koshi Tanrei' is luxuriously polished to 40% and carefully brewed with traditional winter brewing. It features a flowery yet calm Ginjo aroma, a silky smooth mouthfeel, and a sophisticated light 'Tanrei' taste. An elegant and beautiful drop that embodies Ryokan's poetic worldview through taste, it is a masterpiece suitable for gifts to loved ones or special moments.

Tokugetsu is the peak Junmai Daiginjo limited for autumn, gathering the essence of Asahi Shuzo's brewing technology. Its name derives from a poetic scene of 'taking the moon reflected on the water surface in one's hand,' and it was born as a sake for enjoying the harvest moon. The rare sake rice 'Takane Nishiki' is extremely polished to as low as 28%. By using only the very center of the rice core, an amazingly transparent taste that completely eliminates impurities is realized. This sake, brewed from rice shining like pearls, is characterized by a noble and delicate aroma like the moon in a clear night sky. Faintly emitting a jewel-like brilliance, 'Tokugetsu' is a luxurious drop that you would want to taste quietly with your five senses in the season when the moon is most beautiful in a year.

Wadachi is a concept brand by Asahi Shuzo that redefines the value of sake as a 'gift.' Its name means 'wheel tracks,' and it is a sake with a narrative, thinking of the paths walked together with loved ones so far and the tracks continuing to the future. Suggesting the brewery's technical power, it features a modern and sophisticated taste where the sweetness and acidity of rice are beautifully harmonized. Not just as a luxury item, it values the role as a 'message' to convey feelings of gratitude and respect, and its deep and quiet afterglow gracefully produces a place for conversation at milestones of life. An intellectual and high-grade glass that makes one feel the profundity of accumulated time and hope for the future.

Sanjuni Shindo is a brand that challenged the ultimate rice polishing ratio, symbolizing Asahi Shuzo's challenging sake brewing spirit. It was named 'Shindo' (prodigy) from the astonishing polishing ratio of '32%,' which is usually unthinkable, and the overwhelming quality that makes one feel natural talent. Completely scraping off impurities of raw material rice, it extracts only the pure essence of rice. A crystal-clear beauty and a noble aroma reminiscent of fruit spread in the mouth. The surprisingly smooth and light mouthfeel and the long-lasting clear afterglow, born from pushing the limits of technology, leave a vivid impression suitable for being called a 'prodigy.' It is a masterpiece of a new era, a crystal of Asahi Shuzo's brewing theory and passion.

Karine is a low-alcohol modern brand by Asahi Shuzo suggesting new ways to enjoy sake. Its name was given with the image of flowery 'aroma' (Ka) and 'sound' (ne) like a comfortable rhythm, and it is gaining attention as a light and fruity new-sense sake. By an original brewing recipe, while being low-alcohol, it firmly leaves the rich umami inherent in rice and realizes a sweet and fresh aroma like fruit. Its stylish quality, suitable for enjoying with a wine glass, has gained overwhelming support from those not used to drinking sake and women. A next-generation sake light like a melody that brilliantly colors daily tea time and relaxing moments.

Esshu is a material-oriented brand by Asahi Shuzo that shaped the unwavering commitment to 'rice.' For the raw material rice, it revived and used the rare Niigata-produced 'Senshuraku,' maximizing the light and elegant umami inherent in rice. Its taste is as refreshing as the clear wind of Echigo, pursuing 'lightness' that stays close to a modern dining table. Not just light, it coexists with a delicate aroma and deep taste, turning daily meals into a higher-grade experience. A brand that continues to pursue the potential of rice where the blessings of nature and the passion of the brewer intersect.

Koshi no Kagirohi is a seasonal limited brand by Asahi Shuzo bearing the sound of Man'yo (ancient Japanese poetry) in its name. 'Kagirohi' means the dawn light, and it expresses the pure scene of Niigata greeting the light-shining spring after crossing a severe winter. Its quality, which makes one feel the transition of seasons, has fresh yet calm dignity. The sense of maturation nurtured by the climate and time of Niigata and the vividness of freshly squeezed coexist in an exquisite balance. It features a powerful yet delicate taste that makes one feel the dynamism of life heading from winter to spring. Its rarity, which can only be encountered at a limited time, produces a luxurious moment to enjoy the beauty of the four seasons through sake.

Sennen no Midori is a brand that Asahi Shuzo brews with respect for the rich nature of Nagaoka, drifting with serene dignity. Its name is modeled after the 'green' of evergreen trees that do not change even after a thousand years, symbolizing eternal vitality and harmony. Brewed slowly with carefully selected material rice and in the pure air surrounding the brewery, its taste is clear everywhere, making one feel a dignified beauty. The fine mouthfeel and the afterglow where the pure umami inherent in rice quietly spreads have a fresh yet deep worldview suitable for the word 'Midori' (evergreen green). A calm and high-grade glass that makes one forget the flow of time.

Koyu is a brand symbolizing the depth of bonds, specially brewed for the 'Asahiyama Koyukai' formed by volunteer authorized retailers of Asahi Shuzo. Its name means 'calling a friend,' and contains a wish to enrich a place for good sake, good conversation, and connection with colleagues sharing a common aspiration. Accepting no compromise in quality, the taste polished by the retailers and the brewery together features a sophisticated gorgeousness and a somewhat warm depth. Researching 'the best communication' through sake beyond just making sake, Koyu is a glass full of passion and warmth that stays close to the moment when people commune with each other.

Senshin is the peak brand boasting isolated dignity, where Asahi Shuzo pursued the 'spirituality of sake brewing' to the limit. Its name originates from the Zen words 'return to the beginning and wash the heart,' containing a serene philosophy of looking at truth with a pure heart without decoration. Polishing the phantom sake rice 'Takane Nishiki' up to 28% and eliminating all impurities, its quality is as transparent as pure spring water, and the deep umami quietly soaks in. The taste, which threw away excessive production and sharpened only the essence, has a nobility that makes the drinker sit up straight, and it is an incomparable work of art that produces a quiet moment to touch the abyss of life.