Sake Brands
in Shiga

"Sakuragi" is a brand imaging gorgeousness and vitality like cherry blossoms announcing the arrival of spring. Expressing the strength of cherry blossoms blooming proudly after overcoming the severe winter and their ephemeral beauty. The fresh and lively taste is suitable for occasions celebrating new beginnings and departures. It is a bright and hopeful bottle that brings to mind the spring scene of Koka.

"Ninja" is the signature brand of Seko Shuzo, filled with pride as the birthplace of Koka Ninja. Expressing a taste that is ever-changing like a ninja and a unique charm loved all over the world. Using local sake rice, it shows diverse expressions from sharp dry to mellow umami. It is a bottle that combines historical romance and playfulness, entertaining sake fans both domestically and internationally.

"Daikoka" is a confident work of Seko Shuzo, proudly bearing the name of the local area, Koka. It contains respect for the rich nature and history of Koka, and the spirit aiming to be the number one sake in the region. Developing satisfying sake quality such as "Hojun Chokarakuchi" (Mellow Extra Dry) characterized by mellow umami and a sharp aftertaste. It is a sturdy local sake that nestles close to the food culture of local Koka and continues to be loved.

"Tsukiakari" is a brand imaging the moonlight gently illuminating the night sky of Koka. A calm and soft taste like moonlight pouring down on a quiet satoyama (village forest). Amed for a healing cup that calms your mind with relief at the end of the day. The delicate and gentle mouthfeel nestles close to a quiet moment at night.

"Ryuka" is a brand that combines the elegance of a willow and the loveliness of a flower, pairing with "Ryuryokukako." A supple mouthfeel like a willow fluttering in the wind and a gorgeous scent like a flower. It is a sophisticated modern style sake incorporating newness into tradition. Expressing the beauty of the four seasons of Koka, it is a cup enjoyable for both eyes and tongue.

"Seiro" is a brand that can be said to be the origin of Mochizuki Shuzo, loved for over 200 years since its founding. Pursuing a clear taste like a sunny sky and a freshness that brightens the drinker's heart. As a daily sake indispensable for dining tables in local Koka, it continues to be loved across generations. Sincerity towards sake brewing breathes within the unadorned simple taste.

"Suzukabuto" is a representative brand with an auspicious name combining "Suzu" (Bell) from the Suzuka Mountains and "Ko" (Armor/Helmet) from Koka. Daring to use edible rice "Nipponbare," adopting a unique production method that maximizes the original umami of rice. Characterized by a mellow and plump taste where the sensibilities of the 11th generation Kuramoto Toji and traditional techniques fuse. It is a handmade masterpiece full of individuality expressing the terroir of Koka.

"Haru no Mine" is a brand named because extreme cold brewed fresh sake is born around the time spring arrival is felt in the mountains of Suzuka. The 5th generation Kuramoto Toji, Shigeya Tanaka, brews entirely by hand using only local rice from Koka and spring water from the premises. Characterized by a gentle and deep taste where the blessings of nature and the warmth of handwork harmonize. It is a safe bottle where you can see the face of the creator, created by careful brewing unique to a small brewery.

"Aratama" is a brand full of vitality derived from "Aratama" (Wild Soul), the rough and powerful aspect of Kami in Shinto. Characterized by a sharp and powerful taste nurtured by the underground water of Mt. Ibuki and the severe cold of the snow country. Also containing the meaning of celebrating the arrival of a new year as "Aratama" (New Jewel), it is loved as an auspicious sake. It is a clear and core-strong bottle reflecting the climate of Maibara.

"Ususakura" is a brand named by the first generation owner who was touched by the beauty of cherry blossoms blooming in the shrine precincts and wanted to express that pale beauty. Pursuing a delicate and graceful taste like cherry blossom petals, it has been loved by local people for a long time. Through careful small-batch production, realizing a warm sake quality that conveys the creator's heart to the drinker. It is a representative work of Masumoto Shuzojo, making you feel the gentleness like the arrival of spring and the weight of tradition.

"Omi Tobe" is a brand combining tradition and innovation, bearing the name of the founder and the place name. Launched by the 5th generation brewery owner as a new challenge, focusing on fresh Namazake (unpasteurized sake). With respect for the first generation and pride in Omi in their hearts, conveying the charm of new sake tailored to modern tastes. It is a confident work where you can enjoy reliable quality backed by traditional skills and a lively taste.

"Shojokiku" is an auspicious brand combining "Shojo," a legendary sacred beast who loves sake, and "Kiku" (Chrysanthemum), which symbolizes nobility. Characterized by a taste that makes you feel tradition and prestige, reminiscent of the gorgeous world view of Noh theater. Nurtured by the climate of the historical land of Hikone Takamiya, it has been loved by local people. It is a locally rooted bottle filled with the joy of sharing sake and wishes for longevity and prosperity.

"HEART LAND" is a brand named after the desire to love the historic streets of Omihachiman as the "heart's home." Projecting the form of a new sake combining traditional skills and modern sensibilities with English naming. A confident work brewed by Nishikatsu Shuzo, which has over 300 years of history, as a bridge to the next generation. It is an approachable bottle where you can feel the warmth of thinking about home within the clear taste.

"Kotobuki" (湖東富貴) is a brand containing the regionality of the eastern side of Lake Biwa (Koto) and the meaning of "Kotobuki" (寿) wishing for longevity and prosperity. It has a name symbolizing wealth and tradition, suitable for the birthplace of Omi merchants known for their business success. A local sake that Nishikatsu Shuzo, spinning over 300 years of history, has continued to brew carefully along with the culture of Omihachiman. It is a prestigious bottle loved by the region, where deep taste and good luck are in harmony.

"Eishaku" is a brand with a very prestigious name combining "Ei" (榮), meaning prosperity, and "Shaku" (爵), meaning peerage or rank. It symbolizes a dignified taste that once entertained travelers and guests passing through Moriyama-juku on the Nakasendo. This sake, loved along with the bustle of the post town, conveys the pride of Moriyama's historic brewing culture. Although it has now become a phantom taste, its name remains engraved as a memory of prestigious local sake.

"Kinsei" is a very auspicious brand combining "Kin" (Gold), meaning golden brilliance, and "Sei" (盛), meaning flourishing and bustling. It contains the brewery's pride in sake brewing and wishes for the drinker's life to prosper richly. In the land of Moriyama, which flourished as a hub on the Nakasendo, this local sake quenched the thirst of travelers and locals and gave them vitality. Although it has now become a phantom, its name remains remembered as a symbol of prosperity that colored Moriyama's brewing history.

"Dokan" is the proud brand of Ota Shuzo, bearing the name of Ota Dokan, the military commander who built Edo Castle. Characterized by the deep umami and sharpness unique to Yamahai-shikomi, brewed by Noto Toji Hideo Kajizuka. Projecting the spirit of Bushido into sake brewing, they pursue quality suited to the times while protecting traditional skills. It is an elegant bottle that makes you feel the spirit of both literary and military arts, having walked with the history of Kusatsu-juku on the Tokaido.

"Chiyo Yachiyo" is an extremely auspicious brand wishing for eternal prosperity and longevity, as found in the lyrics of the Japanese national anthem. "Chiyo" means a thousand years and "Yachiyo" means eight thousand years, containing prayers for long-lasting happiness. Characterized by a dignified taste that symbolizes the weight of Ota Shuzo's history and thoughts on tradition continuing into the future. It is a cup for sharing joy, suitable for celebratory occasions and milestone days.

"Sumeraginomizumi" (Imperial Spring) is a brand symbolizing a sake quality like a clear spring and high prestige. Nurtured by the gathered technical power of Ota Shuzo inherited from ancient times, it is brewed aiming for the highest quality. As the name suggests, it is characterized by a taste that combines clarity like water gushing from a spring and a dignified character. It aims to add color to banquets on special days and be a supreme cup that satisfies the five senses.

"Born KURA" is a modern and playful brand combining "Born" and "KURA" (Brewery). It contains the desire for people to enjoy the taste just as it was born in the brewery without being formal. The reading "Bonkura" projects a wish for people to feel sake more closely along with familiarity. It is a bottle expressing Ota Shuzo's new style for the next generation while protecting tradition.

"Kokoro" (湖弧艪) is an elegant brand combining the "Lake" (湖) of Biwa and the "Oar" (艪) for rowing a boat, aiming for a taste that resonates with the human "Heart" (心). Characterized by a calm, deep, and emotional taste like a boat moving slowly on the lake. It condenses the blessings of Lake Biwa that the land of Kusatsu has received since ancient times and the history walked with water into a single bottle. It is a profound bottle where affection for Shiga's symbol and the warmth of nesting close to the drinker's heart are in harmony.

"Tenjogawa" is a brand named after the unique appearance of the Kusatsu River, which once flowed at a higher position than the roofs of houses. The historic landscape of Kusatsu, once depicted in Ukiyo-e, is conveyed to later generations as local Shiga sake. Brewed with a focus on Kusatsu rice using carefully selected sake rice such as Shiga-produced "Gin-fubuki" and "Mizukagami," sticking to handmade brewing. It is a bottle where you can enjoy a clear and core-strong taste reflecting the history and climate of the post town.

"Munehana" is an emotional brand of Furukawa Shuzo combining "Mune" (宗) meaning center and the beauty of a "Flower" (花). Aiming for a sake that is most beautiful and cherished, it is delicately brewed using traditional handmade techniques. Characterized by a taste that harmonizes gorgeousness and gentleness like a flower, nurtured in the rich historical land of Kusatsu. Along with Tenjogawa, it is a bottle filled with the artisan's heart that continues to protect the brewery's tradition.

"Tankaitsukasa" is an elegant brand bearing the old name of Lake Biwa, "Tankai," and "Tsukasa," meaning to rule or lead. It contains a deep attachment to Lake Biwa, the symbol of Shiga, and pride in leading Omi's sake culture. A local sake carefully brewed with traditional skills while receiving the blessings of rich nature in Nagahama on the north shore of Lake Biwa. It is a bottle where a clear, refined taste and deep umami harmonize, suitable for its prestigious name.

"Umarenagarajiyu" (Born Free) is an innovative brand filled with a passionate message of "living as oneself." Characterized by a refreshing aroma like honey apples and a fruity, exhilarating taste that is not bound by traditional frameworks. Approachable for the younger generation and sake beginners, it proposes a new style of sake to be enjoyed with free thinking. It is a bright and transparent cup that seems to liberate the drinker's heart.