Sake Brands
in Shimane

"Jokyu no Utage" is a brand created in memory of Retired Emperor Go-Toba, who was exiled to Oki in the Jokyu War (1221). Named after the chrysanthemum flower loved by Retired Emperor Go-Toba, it pursues a noble and elegant taste. Using rice and famous water nurtured by the rich nature of Oki, and fermenting slowly at low temperature, a gorgeous aroma and profound taste are realized. It is a dignified bottle that you want to taste while thinking about historical romance.

"Oki Homare" is the flagship brand of Oki Shuzo, named by public call in 1973 (Showa 48), the year after its founding. It contains the wish "to be the honor of Oki Island." Sake that is particular about being handmade using mineral-rich "Tenga no Mizu" and carefully selected sake rice features a mellow aroma and a sharp taste. It goes excellently with fresh seafood, especially rock oysters and crab dishes, which are famous products of Oki, and is indispensable for the island's dining table.

"Takamasamune" inherits the brand brewed at Takanashi Shuzo in the former Saigo Town, one of the five breweries that became the parent body of Oki Shuzo. They cherish the old-fashioned taste that has been loved by the locals and people of Oki for many years. It is an evening drink sake that does not get tired of drinking, featuring a gentle aroma and firm umami of rice. It can be enjoyed cold or hot, and enhances the taste of home-cooked dishes such as boiled fish and hot pot dishes. It is a simple and warm bottle that snuggles up to island life.

"Asahi Tenyu" is the only brand of Tenyu Shuzo that has been loved for many years in Matsue. The simple taste without decoration fits perfectly with the word "local sake." It blends into the daily lives of the locals and is loved as a cup that heals daily fatigue. The nostalgic taste that can be enjoyed regardless of how you drink it, whether cold or hot, is attractive.

"Toyonoaki" is the flagship brand of Yoneda Shuzo, symbolizing "Autumn of bountiful harvest." It features the plump umami of rice and an elegant and comfortable reverberation. As a "food sake" that does not interfere with the taste of food but rather enhances it, it has a high degree of perfection, and is widely loved in local Matsue from celebration seats to daily evening drinks. Refreshingly with cold sake, and mellow with hot sake. It is a taste that you will not get tired of drinking, showing various expressions depending on the temperature.

"Miho" is elegant and noble sake named after "Miho Shrine" in Mihonoseki Town, Matsue City. It is carefully brewed with respect for Miho Shrine, known as the head shrine of Ebisu. It features a gorgeous ginjo aroma and a delicate taste with a sense of transparency. It is perfect not only for a cup on a special day but also as a gift for loved ones. It is an auspicious bottle that seems to bring good fortune to the drinker's heart.

"Kokki" is the representative brand of Kokki Shuzo, named with the wish of "sake that gives shine (hikari) to the country." It is carefully brewed by traditional techniques using carefully selected sake rice from Shimane Prefecture and high-quality groundwater. It features a rich aroma and a powerful yet balanced taste where you can firmly feel the umami of rice. It is a satisfying bottle that can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures, from cold sake to hot sake.

"Yashiorijikomi" is an extremely rare sake that reproduces the legendary sake said to have been used by Susanoo-no-Mikoto to exterminate Yamata-no-Orochi in Izumo mythology. While general sake is brewed with water, this sake adopts a luxurious manufacturing method of "brewing sake with sake." It features a unique rich sweetness, a thick texture, and a deep taste due to aging. It is a special bottle that can be enjoyed like dessert wine.

"Hanayashio" is a new type of sake based on the ancient manufacturing method "Yashiorijikomi", arranged in a more modern and light way. While having a strong sweetness of Sake Meter Value -45, the balance with acidity is exquisite, and the aftertaste is surprisingly refreshing. It features a fruity melon-like aroma and a bright crimson bottle. The alcohol content is low and easy to drink, and it is recommended as an aperitif or dessert sake, and also for sake beginners.

"Rihaku" is the representative brand of Rihaku Shuzo, embodying the worldview of the poetry of the Sake Immortal Li Bai. Under the belief that "sake brewing starts with rice growing," they generously use the highest grade sake brewing rice. It features a plump taste and outstanding sharpness, and goes perfectly with meals. The lineup, which blends tradition and innovation, including "WANDERING POET" which is popular all over the world, is attractive.

"Shikimusume" is a brand full of seasonal feeling that expresses the transition of Japan's beautiful four seasons. Gorgeously in spring, coolly in summer, mature in autumn, and powerfully in winter. It features a delicate taste that snuggles up to seasonal ingredients of each season. Seasonal flowers etc. are also treated in the label design, and it is rich emotional sake where you can enjoy Japan's four seasons with your eyes and tongue.

"Test Brewing PROTOTYPE 2023" is a memorable first issue brewed to explore the possibilities at the start of Tanabe Takeshita Shuzo. It won the highest gold prize at the "Delicious Sake in a Wine Glass Award" and made its ability known to the world. A miraculous taste born after trial and error by the Toji facing the nature of Oku-Izumo for the first time. The experience with this sake has been passed down to the current main brand "Rihachi."

"KAKEYA" was a brand filled with the pride of Takeshita Honten, bearing the name of "Kakeya," the place of its founding. Brewed by the rich nature of Kakeya and the passion of the brewers, this sake fascinated many sake fans with its sharp taste and rich aroma.

"Miyako no Seihoku" was a unique brand named after the school song of Waseda University, the alma mater of former Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita. It gained popularity mainly among Waseda University officials and graduates, and was evaluated not only for its topicality but also for its reliable taste.

"Waga Michi o Iku" (Going My Way) was a unique brand created by sticking to its own beliefs, as the name suggests. It was a bottle symbolizing the spirit of Takeshita Honten, which pursued the taste they thought was "really delicious" without being swayed by trends.

"Izumo Homare" was a brand loved locally for a long time, with the wish to become the honor of Izumo, the land of mythology. It was popular as a daily evening drink sake and was indispensable for the local dining table. It featured a simple and warm taste worthy of being called "local sake."

"Kinunomine" is the flagship brand of Akana Shuzo and symbolic local sake of Iinan Town. Brewed with locally produced sake rice and underground water from the Chugoku Mountains, this sake features the original plump umami of rice and a refreshing aftertaste like the wind of the plateau. It is not flashy, but it is deeply delicious and heartwarming. You can enjoy it in a wide range of temperatures from cold sake to hot sake, coloring your daily dining table gently.

"Usagigumo" is a low-alcohol undiluted sake born from the desire to make sake enjoyable for younger generations and people overseas who are not familiar with sake. The alcohol content is 12 degrees, about the same as wine. Instead of the general method of diluting with water, by finishing it as undiluted sake, a rich umami and a sweet and sour fruit-like taste were realized. It is a new sensation of sake recommended to be drunk chilled.

"Izumonokuni Tatenuigori" is a brand derived from the old place name "Tatenuigori" of this area, which is said to be the birthplace of sake. It was brewed with thoughts of the legend that gods held a sake banquet at the foot of Saka Shrine (Matsuo Shrine), which also appears in Izumo mythology. Using 100% sake rice from Shimane Prefecture and made by traditional methods, it features a mellow and powerful taste.

"Yamasan Masamune" is the representative brand of Sake Mochida Honten, loved by locals since its founding. "San" is derived from the business philosophy of "Sanpo Yoshi (Good for the seller, good for the buyer, good for society)." Sticking to sake rice from Shimane Prefecture, this sake brewed with care by Izumo Toji features a plump aroma and rich umami. It is a taste that you will not get tired of drinking, perfect as food sake.