Sake Brands
in Oita

Soukou is the flagship brand of Soukou Shuzo, a traditional sake bearing the brewery's name. Brewed in the urban heart of Oita City, it stays true to time-honored methods, resulting in a mellow and easy-drinking character. As a beloved everyday sake among locals, it maintains an approachable quality that complements the daily dining table.

Tatsu no I is the flagship brand of Kubo Shuzo, inheriting the history of a brewery founded in 1789 (Kansei 1). The brewery is located within the grounds of Kifune Shrine, which enshrines the water deity Ryujin (Dragon God), and the brand name 'Tatsu no I' (Dragon's Well) was born from this Ryujin faith. Using subterranean water from the Yakkan River, the sake is brewed in a water-blessed environment, carrying on over 200 years of traditional techniques on the sacred grounds of Kifune Shrine. Characterized by a mildly sweet flavor, it embodies the light and gently sweet style distinctive to Oita Prefecture. Its mellow mouthfeel and beautifully sweet finish are pleasant and easy to drink without tiring. It pairs well with Oita's seafood, and is particularly recommended with sashimi and sushi. This brand expresses the terroir of Usa, harmonizing with the local food culture.

Hanae is an elegant brand produced by Kubo Shuzo. As its name suggests ('Hana' meaning flower or splendor), it is a sake that pursues a gorgeous yet gentle flavor. The brewing draws on Kubo Shuzo's expertise in both sake and shochu production, fusing traditional methods with a modern sensibility in its flavor design. With a light and mildly sweet profile that reflects the terroir of Usa, it is cherished as a special bottle that graces the table on memorable occasions.

Monju is a brand named after Monju Bosatsu (Manjushri Bodhisattva), the Buddhist deity of wisdom and learning, and is cherished locally as a symbol of knowledge. Crafted with Kubo Shuzo's traditional techniques and careful brewing, it features a mellow and gentle flavor. Favored at celebrations and gatherings wishing for academic success, it is beloved as a brand rooted in the region's culture and faith.

Toyomusume is a brand of Usa Shurui, bearing a name that expresses the abundant harvest of the Usa Plain. Using locally grown Usa rice, the brewery practices sake-making suited to the climate and terroir of Usa. Characterized by a mellow, easy-to-drink flavor that harnesses the blessings of the fertile Usa Plain, it features a light and refined sake quality that harmonizes with local food culture, and is beloved as an approachable Japanese sake that complements the everyday dining table.

Isao no Matsu is positioned as a brand representing the tradition of Komatsu Shuzo Jo. Inheriting the history of a brewery founded in 1868, it is an orthodox Japanese sake brewed with traditional methods. Characterized by a well-balanced flavor that complements the food culture of local Usa, it maintains an approachable sake quality suited for everyday evening drinks.

Hojun is the flagship brand of Komatsu Shuzo Jo, crafted with the aim of being "a supporting-role sake that pairs well with oily dishes and richly seasoned cuisine." Approximately 70% of the brewing rice is locally sourced, primarily using Oita Prefecture's unique sake rice varieties Oita Mitsui and Gin no Sato. The brewery practices sake-making with restrained aromas, emphasizing a balance of moderate acidity and umami. Centered on the rich dry type with a crisp finish, it delivers a transparent flavor that lets the umami of rice come through, achieving optimal balance as a food-pairing sake. The Tokubetsu Junmai rich dry version uses Yamada Nishiki at 60% polishing ratio. The Ori-garami Nama-zake using Gin no Sato offers melon and muscat-like aromas. The Junmai Ginjo Omachi is available in both unpasteurized and pasteurized versions.

Oita Fuku, marketed as "Oita Mitsui Oita Fuku," is a special brand using the revived Oita Prefecture heritage rice variety Oita Mitsui. It is the culmination of a historic project that restored the phantom sake rice Oita Mitsui from a handful of seed grains after it had disappeared. By brewing with this precious sake rice, the brewery revives a lost flavor of Oita for the modern era. Characterized by a refreshing mouthfeel and a clean, crisp finish that expresses the terroir of Oita, the brand attracts attention as an embodiment of Oita's sake culture history, combining the narrative of a revived phantom sake rice with excellent flavor.

Yoizakura is a brand of Emoto Shoten, cherished as a sake to enjoy while admiring cherry blossoms. Characterized by a gorgeous yet gentle flavor suited for spring banquets, it is beloved locally as a cherry blossom viewing sake. Like cherry blossoms themselves, beautiful and ephemeral, it is a Japanese sake expressing a delicate flavor that evokes the passage of seasons.

Mincho is a brand of Mincho Shuho, a Japanese sake particularly acclaimed for its daiginjo. The luxurious daiginjo, made with Yamada Nishiki polished to a 35% rice polishing ratio, is characterized by gorgeous aromas and delicate flavors. With an alcohol content of 16-17%, it achieves an elegant mouthfeel. Beloved by local people, it is treasured as a sake for celebrations and special occasions.

Usa Nishiki is a brand of Oita Meijo, expressing local pride as a representative Japanese sake of the Usa region. Through sake-making that leverages Usa's rich natural environment and historical heritage, it pursues a flavor that harmonizes with local food culture. Characterized by a mellow and easy-to-drink sake quality, it is beloved across a wide range of occasions from everyday evening drinks to celebrations.

Banzai Matsu is a brand of Oita Meijo, cherished for its auspicious name. Often used for celebrations and festive occasions, it is treasured as a Japanese sake that adorns joyous gatherings. Characterized by a gorgeous yet composed flavor, it is a brand beloved across generations.

Futabayama is a proud brand of Oita Meijo, bearing the name of the great sumo yokozuna Futabayama. It is presented as a Japanese sake expressing strength and dignity. The honjozo "Shiho Futabayama" has a 70% rice polishing ratio and 15-16% alcohol, characterized by sweet rice aromas along with notes of candy, syrup, and caramel. While having a light-bodied medium palate with a mellow mouthfeel, it harmonizes soft umami with lively acidity. The finish reveals a dry impression with pronounced bitterness, delivering a flavor that combines power and delicacy. It is a Japanese sake with a stately presence befitting the achievements of Yokozuna Futabayama.

Chiebijin is a brand developed by Nakano Shuzo as a Japanese sake that embraces modern food culture. Characterized by a smooth mouthfeel and soft, fruity flavor, it is designed to emphasize "palate aroma over nose aroma" - while the rising aroma is restrained, a soft and fruity ginjo fragrance unfolds upon sipping. It pursues a balance of acidity and umami that pairs not only with Japanese cuisine but also Western and Chinese dishes, serving as a food-pairing sake that enhances the flavor of cuisine. Even within its mellow and fruity profile, lightness on the finish is carefully crafted. Using the sacred water of Rokugo Mangan from 200 meters underground and primarily local rice, it embodies the philosophy of local production for local consumption. The brand has won multiple Platinum Awards at France's Kura Master sake competition and scored 90 Parker Points, earning high international acclaim.

Imori Dani is one of Nakano Shuzo's special brands, a Japanese sake expressing the rich natural environment of the Kunisaki Peninsula. Using the pure water of Kitsuki and carefully selected rice, it is meticulously brewed with Nakano Shuzo's traditional techniques. It is characterized by a distinctive flavor that leverages the regional terroir.

Kunisaki Sennen Monogatari is a special brand expressing over a thousand years of history and culture of the Kunisaki Peninsula. Brewed with a fusion of traditional methods and modern techniques, it evokes the eternal history of the Kunisaki Peninsula, a sacred land of the Rokugo Mangan culture. Characterized by a deep flavor and elegant aroma, it is a distinguished Japanese sake befitting gifts and anniversaries on special occasions.

Chiebijin (kanji) is a traditional brand of Nakano Shuzo since its founding, a distinguished Japanese sake bearing the name of the first proprietress "Chie." Brewed for local distribution, Chiebijin (kanji) is characterized by a sake quality that emphasizes sweetness and umami to pair with local ingredients. It boasts the finest compatibility with Kitsuki's regional cuisine and continues to be loved by local people. Brewed with care using the sacred water of Rokugo Mangan and locally grown rice, it preserves traditional methods passed down since the brewery's founding in 1874.

Matsu no Tsuyu is a brand from Yano Shuzo Jo, brewed using a pure method that draws out only the natural sweetness of rice without adding any sugar. Upholding the belief that all sweetness comes from rice, the freshly pressed unpasteurized sake features a refreshing taste when chilled. The natural sweetness of rice harmonizes with a clear, clean sake quality. Its pure, unadulterated flavor pairs exceptionally well with dishes that highlight the quality of their ingredients.

Kuragokoro is a brand from Yano Shuzo Jo, expressing the heartfelt dedication of the brewery's craftsmen in their sake making. Practicing brewing that values traditional techniques and sincerity, it is characterized by high quality achieved through meticulous handcrafting. Cherishing the inherent flavor of rice, it is beloved as an honest and gentle sake.

Shinra Bansho is a brand crafted by Yano Shuzo Jo, bearing a grand name that represents all existence and phenomena in the universe. Expressing sake brewing in harmony with nature, it is presented as a sake born from the rich natural environment of Kunisaki. Characterized by profound flavor and a lingering, expansive finish, it is a sake that evokes the workings of nature.