Sake Brands
in Shiga

"Hatsuzakura" (First Cherry Blossoms) is a brand with a wish to deliver bright excitement to the drinker's heart, like the cherry blossoms that herald the arrival of spring earliest. Brewed after surmounting the harsh winter of the Suzuka Pass, the sake beautifully harmonizes straightforward power with the honest sweetness of rice. Focusing on locally produced Shiga sake rice, it pursues an "umami-rich taste that never gets tiring and nestles close to daily life" rather than flashiness. With each sip, it is a nourishing local sake through which the craftsman's honest handwork and the pure climate of Tsuchiyama are conveyed.

"Kanamari" is a brand that was once familiar to local people, making them feel the climate of Koka and Tsuchiyama. It was loved along with the bustle of the post town and was familiar as a sake that colored daily life and special occasions. Although production has now ended, its name is still cherished as part of the culture essential for talking about regional history.

"Choyo" is a local brand that has nestled close to the lives of Minakuchi, a former post town. The wish to be a refreshing presence like the morning sun that brightly illuminates people's daily lives is contained in its name. Although it is not brewed now, its taste, once widely familiar in the region, is remembered as part of local history and culture.

"Eiraku" is a representative brand of Tanabe Shuzo in Minakuchi, containing the wish for the drinker's life to prosper and be enjoyable for a long time. In the history of the region that flourished as a post town, it has been familiar as a sake that fosters "Wa" (harmony) between people's interactions. Characterized by a gentle sake quality that never gets tiring, cherishing the honest umami of rice. It is a community-based local sake that nestles close to the local dining table and delivers modest richness to daily life.

"Kanza" is the pinnacle brand of Fujimoto Shuzojo, named after the hope for a sacred and pure dignity like a place where gods sit. Using the clear water of Minakuchi and carefully selected sake rice, it is brewed by gathering the essence of the highest technology, such as the traditional bag-squeezing method that spares no effort. A lush and gorgeous aroma and a refined taste with transparency are its greatest features. It is an ultimate bottle that luxuriously colors extraordinary moments and brings new excitement every time you drink.

"Omi Masamune" is a local brand once loved in the land of Koka and Minakuchi. Bearing the name of the prestigious "Masamune" along with the place name Omi, it was familiar as a sake that nestles close to the lives of regional people. Although production has now ended, its name is remembered as one of the cultures that colored regional history.

"Senshun" is a brand with a wish for a rich spring to continue for a thousand years. In the bustle of Minakuchi in the past, it was familiar as a sake that nestles close to people's conversations and celebratory occasions. Although production has now ended, its name is passed down along with nostalgic memories symbolizing regional history.

"Masuikari" is a local brand that was familiar in the former post town, Minakuchi. In the symbols of prosperity "Masu" (measuring box) and "Ikari" (anchor) that takes root strongly, it contained the wish to be loved and rooted in the region. Although production has now ended, its name remains as an important memory that tells regional history and culture.

"Oyamato" is a brand bearing the ancient name of Japan, aiming for a grand style and pure taste. Nurtured in the historic climate of Minakuchi, it delivered joy to people at local festivals and celebratory occasions. Although production has now ended, its name is still carefully remembered as one of the symbolic local sakes that supported regional industry.

"Hiba" is a brand that aims for a powerful yet light and refreshing taste, like a horse galloping through the sky. Using Omi rice nurtured by the rich nature of Konan and clear water, the sake brewed with traditional methods harmonizes a straightforward umami and good throat-feel in an exquisite balance. Rather than flashy dressing, it pursues a dignity as a "Shokuchushu" (sake to be enjoyed with food) that nestles close to eating and increases comfort with each cup. It is a bottle packed with honest charm that reflects the local climate and gives vitality to the drinker's daily life.

"Tomikasane" is a brand with a wish for rich joy to be steadily accumulated like a turtle's steps. Carefully brewing the underground water of the Suzuka Mountains and Omi rice, it achieves both the expanding inherent umami of rice and a refreshing, clean finish. They pursue an "umami-rich taste that never gets tiring," where deliciousness spreads gradually with each drink, rather than flashiness. It is a community-based local sake through which sincere handwork shines, nestling close to the region's daily life and bringing small happiness to the dining table.

"Biwakonokaze" (Wind of Lake Biwa) is a brand imaging the refreshing wind that crosses Lake Biwa, the symbol of Shiga. Receiving the blessings of the rich local nature, its refreshing and light mouthfeel and the honest sweetness of rice are pleasantly harmonized. A friendly taste that colors the daily dining table and never gets tiring is its greatest feature. It is a local sake packed with love for the region, which reminds one of Shiga's rich scenery and delivers a refreshing cool breeze to the drinker's heart.

"Ichiryu" is a brand that aims for a supple yet firm taste, like a single willow swaying in the wind. Brewed in the land of Gokasho, where the spirit of Omi merchants lives on, the sake is characterized by a calm and elegant mouthfeel that carefully draws out the umami of rice. They pursue "sincere brewing" that conveys the depth of taste as you drink, rather than flashiness. It is a local sake that reflects regional history and culture and adds calm peace to daily life.

"Raku" is a brand with a wish for the drinker's heart to be softened and to spend an enjoyable time. Using rice and water nurtured in the pure nature of Hino, the sake brewed with traditional methods harmonizes the straightforward umami of rice and a gentle aroma. Rather than flashiness, it pursues an "umami-rich taste that never gets tiring," which enriches daily meals and increases attachment with each cup. It is a community-based local sake that reflects regional history and adds modest joy to daily life.

"Suzumaru" is a brand containing the refreshing and clear sound of a ringing bell and a wish for "Marui" (round/peaceful) harmony in the region. Using the pure blessings of Hino's nature, the sake brewed with traditional methods achieves both the straightforward umami of rice and a refreshing, clean finish. Rather than flashiness, it pursues an "honest taste" that enriches the daily dining table and increases comfort with each cup. It is a local sake that reminds one of regional scenery and delivers calm peace to the drinker's heart.

"Omi Gamo" is a brand containing attachment to the region, symbolizing the rich climate and history of Hino. Using local pure water and rice, the sake brewed with traditional techniques harmonizes the expanding umami of rice and a refreshing, clean finish. Rather than flashiness, it pursues an "umami-rich taste that never gets tiring," which enriches daily life and peacefully colors the dining table. It is a local sake packed with honest charm that reminds one of regional scenery and delivers warm peace to the drinker's heart.