Sake Brands
in Shiga

"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.

"Kohama" is the main brand expressing deep local love combining the "Lake" (湖) of Biwa and the "Shore" (濱) of Nagahama. Characterized by mellow and tasty Junmai sake that nestles close to Shiga's traditional food culture such as duck hot pot and Funa-zushi. Designed so that you can thoroughly enjoy the umami of rice along with local cuisine, from cold to warm sake. It is an essential bottle for Shiga's dining table, making you feel the blessings of Lake Biwa and the climate of Nagahama.

"Mubyotan" is an auspicious brand wishing for good health, as six gourds leading to "Mubyo" (meaning free from disease). It is derived from the story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the lord of Nagahama Castle, who raised a gourd every time he won a battle and achieved the unification of Japan. Characterized by a pleasant Ginjo aroma and a soft texture, brewed in Nagahama, the place of Lord Hideyoshi's success. Popular for celebratory occasions and as gifts, it is a supreme cup to celebrate the drinker's future leap and health.

"Taiko" is a brand bearing the majesty of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan and the symbol of Shiga Prefecture. The name, which respectfully calls Lake Biwa a "great lake," contains deep gratitude for regional nature. One of the lineups aiming for a rich and expansive taste nurtured by the climate of Nagahama. It is a cup brewed with regional pride, putting Shiga's identity at the forefront.

"Omi Neko Masamune" is a unique series developed for cat lovers, with an eye-catching simple and bold label design. A playful package with a cat motif fusion with reliable quality Junmai sake that utilizes the umami of rice. It attracted attention as a challenging brand that captured the hearts of cat lovers and turned sake into something more familiar and fun. It is a cup where cuteness and authentic taste harmonize, making conversation lively.

"Shigakaskari" is the main brand symbolizing the history of Omi Shuzo since its founding. As the purveyor for the air unit at the former Yokaichi Airfield, it was brewed along with regional pride. Utilizing the clear water and rice of Omi, it pursued balanced drinkability and the rich umami of rice. It is a prestigious traditional brand that has colored local dining tables for a long time and celebrated people's milestones.

"Omiji" is a brand inspired by the historical roads of Omi where the Tokaido and Nakasendo meet. It expresses the warmth of Omi, which has entertained travelers since ancient times, and the rich climate in a drop of sake. A brand aiming for a nourishing taste you never get tired of, loved by people coming and going on the road. It is a cup full of emotion that can be enjoyed slowly while thinking about history.

"Omi Ryumon" is an auspicious brand wishing for a leap and success, associated with the legend of the "Dragon Gate." The power nurtured in the land of Omi is brewed into each cup to celebrate the drinker's departure or challenge. Characterized by an authentic quality where dignified strength and clear sharpness coexist. Aiming for a hopeful bottle to decorate celebratory occasions and new starts.

"Toppachi" (Eighteen) is an approachable brand to be enjoyed casually, adding playfulness to the reading of numbers. It contains the brewery's desire for people to enjoy sake more easily in daily life. Characterized by a balance of light texture and exquisite umami that lingers. It is a cup that brightens daily life, nesting close to places of conversation with close friends.

"Shigasakura" is a brand bearing the name of the beautiful cherry blossoms that symbolize spring in Shiga. Like the cherry blossom viewing spots that decorate the shores of Lake Biwa, it is brewed aiming for a quality that is gorgeous yet somehow gentle and touches the heart. Along with Shigakaskari, it is one of the emotional lineups that make you feel the changing seasons and the climate of Omi. It is a cup where you can enjoy a clear and elegant taste that seems to celebrate the arrival of spring.

"Hyakusaijitaru" is a brand born from the link with the old Tendai temple "Hyakusai-ji," one of the Koto Sanzan. A brand that makes you feel historical weight and regionality, characterized by the characteristic fragrance of barrelled sake where the scent of cedar is transferred to the sake. By putting the traditions and stories handed down at the temple into the sake, it is a monumental bottle that conveys ancient spirits to the present. Suitable for decorating celebratory occasions and special seats, you can enjoy a dignified character and traditional taste.

"Gonza" is a brand born from a project to regenerate regional history and culture in cooperation with local residents and governments. Rediscovering regional charm, this sake brewed as part of town development symbolizes a strong bond and pride in the local area. It is a project-oriented brand filled with thoughts on regional revitalization, and a cup that supports the revitalization of the community by drinking it. Characterized by a warm taste where Omi's rich climate and the power of people are gathered.

"Kirakucho" (Joy and Pleasure Longevity) is the representative brand that Kita Shuzo has protected for over 200 years, wishing for joy to be enjoyed and to last long. Maximizing the power of rice polished by private rice milling, they achieve both a mellow aroma and a sharp taste. Boasting a diverse lineup from Junmai Daiginjo to daily evening drinks, the dry Junmai Ginjo is a bottle with high perfection as a meal-time sake. It is a traditional taste that nestles close to the joys of life and celebrates healthy times.