Sake Brands
in Shiga

"Asajio" is a brand derived from a waka poem bestowed by Prince Shogoin-no-miya Dokan, a son of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. It imagines "clear water gushing out from where Asaji (cogongrass) grows thick." Using high-quality underground water sourced from the mountains surrounding Lake Biwa, it has a taste that conveys the warmth of handmade production. They aim for a sake to accompany meals that nestles in daily life, such that you enjoy it with a meal and realize the cup is empty before you know it.

"Mumeigura" (Nameless Brewery) is a brand where Naminooto Shuzo challenges new sake brewing not bound by preconceived notions. The name embodies the gracious will to "compete with substance rather than fame." Using traditional techniques that spare no effort, such as Yamahai brewing inherited from Noto Toji. The powerful yet delicate taste is a bottle that impresses sake connoisseurs.

"Naminooto" is a flagship brand boasting over 200 years of history, named by a high-ranking priest of Mt. Hiei. With the theme of "Drinking relaxation," it expresses a comfortable aftertaste that comes and goes like the ripples of Lake Biwa. Characterized by elegant sweetness and a clean finish, it is finished with a taste that you never get tired of drinking. The warm sake quality brewed with family bonds demonstrates excellent compatibility as a sake with meals.

"Omi no Sake nite Soro: Toast with 10,000 People" is the brand of one of the largest sake events in Shiga Prefecture, where residents toast with Shiga's local sake all at once. Started with the enactment of the "Ordinance to Promote the Dissemination of Omi's Local Sake," the public and private sectors work together to transmit the charm of local sake. On the day, people get drunk on fine sake throughout the prefecture, and a circle of smiles expands. It is a project that serves as a bridge connecting the sake culture brewed by Shiga's rich nature and people to the future.

"Tsukinosato" is a rare, region-limited brand brewed in the temple town of Ishiyamadera, related to Murasaki Shikibu. An old-fashioned taste where the aroma of koji, gentle sweetness, and juicy acidity harmonize. Its charm lies in its versatile sake quality, which is delicious cold but increases in umami even more when warmed. It is a bottle you want to taste while thinking about the historical romance of Ishiyamadera.

"Haginotsuyu" is a brand named by the feudal lord after the bush clover (hagi) flowers that grew in clusters on Katsuno Beach at the time of its founding. Aiming for "sake not to get drunk, but sake to savor," it features a mellow, savory taste with a clean finish. Using underground water from the Hira Mountains and high-quality rice from Shiga Prefecture, it has a gentle sake quality that evokes the scenery of Omi. It is the royal road of local sake that continues to be loved by the local people of Takashima, enriching daily dining tables.

"Biwako Masamune" is a brand brewed on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, as its name suggests. It features brewing that utilizes the rich natural environment surrounding Lake Biwa and the clear underground water of the Hira Mountains. They pursue a "beautiful taste" that is mellow, savory, and has a clean aftertaste. It goes perfectly with Lake Biwa fish dishes, and is a bottle where you can fully enjoy the climate of Shiga.

"Futagoza no Spica" (Spica in Gemini) is a romantic brand named after the first-magnitude star shining in the spring night sky. It embodies Fukui Yahei Shoten's spirit of challenge, cherishing tradition while exploring new tastes. It offers the excitement of looking up at the constellations and a comfortable intoxication. The label design is also beautiful, making it a sake with a shining modern sensibility, perfect for special nights or gifts.

"Amadare Ishi wo Ugatsu" (Constant dripping wears away the stone) is a brand bearing the proverb meaning that accumulated small efforts produce great results. It symbolizes the sincere attitude of Fukui Yahei Shoten, which continues to brew sake carefully, drop by drop. The rich and mellow taste created by "Tomizu-jikomi" makes you feel the strength like wearing away a stone over time. It is a bottle filled with the brewery's conviction that deeply permeates the drinker's heart.

"Matsunohana" is a brand named with thoughts for the old pine tree cut down to build the brewery at the time of its founding. A traditional taste that has been loved by the local people of Takashima along with over 160 years of history. Brewed with clear water from the same system as the "Shozu of Harie," one of the Heisei Best 100 Waters, it features a calm and gentle mouthfeel. You can enjoy a deeply nourishing taste that permeates the drinker's mind and body.

"Okubiwako" is a brand that expresses the climate of Shin-Asahi-cho, Takashima City, located in the northernmost part of Lake Biwa. Complex and rich taste is realized by "Yamahai-jikomi," which is synonymous with Uehara Shuzo. By carefully pressing with "Wooden Bucket Tenbin-shibori," which is rare nationwide, it is finished in a clear sake quality without off-flavors. It is a robust bottle suitable for aging, reminiscent of the deep and quiet nature of Okubiwako (Deep Lake Biwa).

"Furosen" is the flagship brand of Uehara Shuzo, boasting a history of over 150 years. The auspicious name wishing for "health without aging" is derived from the artesian water gushing in the brewery. By "Yamahai-jikomi" utilizing the power of nature, it realizes rich umami and firm acidity. The unique depth and lingering finish created by careful pressing in wooden buckets fascinate many enthusiastic fans.

"Soma no Tengu" is a brand embodying the nature of Shiga, with respect for the people who protect the mountains (Somabito) and the mountain god (Tengu). It uses local terraced rice field rice and is a Junmai Ginjo Usunigori Namagenshu (lightly cloudy unpasteurized undiluted sake) without any additives. It features a fresh mouthfeel with slight effervescence and the original juicy sweetness of rice. The alcohol content is slightly lower, making it easy to drink, and it is a bottle recommended for sake beginners as well.

"Hyakusho no Yume" (Dream of 100 Smiles / Farmers' Dream) is a brand aiming for sake brewing that makes farmers, brewers, and all drinkers smile. A Junmai sake brewed with Yamahai-jikomi using pesticide-free contract-grown rice. The powerful taste full of the original wildness of rice and the acidity unique to Yamahai match exquisitely. It is a cup where you can feel the vitality, as if the blessings of nature were bottled as they are.

"Kaze no Mai" (Dance of the Wind) is a brand imagining the refreshing wind blowing through Lake Biwa and the Hira Mountains. While being Yamahai-jikomi, it pursues a light and easy-to-drink taste. When you put it in your mouth, the aroma spreads as if the wind is dancing, and the sharpness that disappears quickly is attractive. It is a light and comfortable bottle that nestles with any dish as a sake with meals.

"Jusen" is a brand bearing an auspicious name that adds grace to celebratory occasions. It features a mellow and full-bodied taste by Uehara Shuzo's traditional Yamahai-jikomi. The sake carefully pressed with wooden bucket Tenbin-shibori has no off-flavors, and the umami of rice is conveyed straight. It is a dignified sake quality that directs a heartwarming moment as a cup for sunny days (special occasions).

"Gokegoroshi" is a brand with a unique name, with the anecdote that "it's so delicious that you drink too much and ruin the household budget." The rich and punchy taste that lives up to its name has an impact that you won't forget once you drink it. The complex umami from Yamahai-jikomi and the high acidity intertwine exquisitely, captivating the drinker. It is the head of individualistic sake that also becomes a topic of conversation.

"Kamehameha" is a playful and unique brand reminiscent of the special move of a popular manga of yesteryear. It expresses Uehara Shuzo's commitment to "Kame" (Turtle) and a spirited taste. This sake brewed with wooden bucket Tenbin-shibori has a rich umami and acidity that hits you hard, truly a special move class impact. It is an energetic bottle that breaks the stereotypes of sake.

"Wakaebisu" is a brand with a supremely auspicious name, crowning "Ebisu," one of the Seven Lucky Gods and the god of prosperous business and big catch, with "Waka" (Young). A community-based taste brewed with clear water from the Hira Mountains and local rice from Takashima. A bottle that invites good fortune to the drinker, suitable for New Year's celebratory sake and toasts on sunny days. Grateful for the blessings of Lake Biwa, it continues to brighten up local dining tables.

"Hiei no Awayuki" is a brand expressing the beautiful snowy scenery of Mt. Hiei, a sacred mountain viewed from Takashima. Pursuing a delicate and soft taste, fleeting yet beautiful like light snow. The charm lies in the sake quality full of transparency created by the severe cold of Takashima and clear water. It is a cup that washes your heart, reminiscent of the quiet winter scene.