Sake Brands
in Shimane

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Tenkai" was a brand that aimed for a pure and noble taste that evokes the image of the "celestial world" (Tenkai), as the name suggests. Brewed by traditional techniques using rice and water nurtured by the rich nature of local Yasugi, this sake was supported by many drinkers for its refreshing mouthfeel and elegant aroma.

"Herun" is a brand named after the nickname of Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), a great writer associated with Matsue. It was brewed imagining the nature of San'in loved by Yakumo and the worldview of mysterious stories. Using sake rice from Shimane Prefecture, it features a refreshing aroma and a clean taste. It can be enjoyed widely from cold sake to hot sake, giving peace and aftertaste to the drinker, and is a bottle that makes you feel a story.

"Mizuki" is a new type of sparkling junmai sake that is low in alcohol and easy to drink. It features natural sweetness derived from rice, refreshing acidity, and fine bubbles. With a fruity taste like fruit, it is very popular among sake beginners and women. With a stylish bottle design, it is also perfect for parties and gifts.

"Tomonori" is a limited distribution brand that the current president, Tomonori Yoshida, named after himself and created with all his heart and soul. Based on the concept of "not being bound by the framework of conventional sake," they pursued a gorgeous aroma, a fresh fizzy feeling, and juicy umami. It is a rare bottle sold only at special contract stores nationwide, and it is a modern and sophisticated taste that captivates the drinker.

"Aotoshichisei" is a challenging brand of Aoto Shuzo named with the aim of becoming a sake that serves as a guidepost shining in the night sky like the Big Dipper. A clear taste without miscellaneous flavors unique to "Kibune Shibori" (wooden tank pressing) and a powerful umami unique to unfiltered undiluted sake coexist. It shows different expressions depending on the sake rice used, maximizing the individuality of each rice. It is a deep bottle where you can enjoy the gradation of taste that changes depending on the temperature zone, such as cold sake, room temperature, and hot sake.

"Yachihoko" is a historic brand derived from the alias of Okuninushi no Okami, and was once dedicated as sacred sake to Izumo Taisha Shrine. Asahi Shuzo continues to carefully protect this brand inherited from Furukawa Shuzo. It features a pure and solemn taste that makes you feel the sacred atmosphere of Izumo. It is a bottle that makes you feel the pride of Izumo, which is appreciated at celebratory seats and as a gift for loved ones.

"Awayukijitate" is an active cloudy sake (nigori sake) that is white and cloudy like light snow, as the name suggests. It features fine bubbles due to secondary fermentation in the bottle and a thick mouthfeel. The sweetness and acidity of rice are exquisitely harmonized, and you can enjoy a creamy and rich taste. It is recommended to drink it well chilled or on the rocks. It is a taste that is friendly to women and sake beginners.

"Izumodayori" is a popular brand as a souvenir that you can easily enjoy, like a letter conveying memories of a trip to Izumo. It features a cute label design and a drink-up size bottle. The taste is authentic, and you can enjoy the firm umami of rice typical of Asahi Shuzo. While immersing yourself in the afterglow of your trip, or as a small gift for a friend, it is a bottle that conveys the charm of Izumo.

"Sakabun" is a brand developed as daily sake that can be enjoyed at an affordable price from the desire to spread sake culture. They pursue a taste that you will not get tired of, nestling up to daily evening drinks. It is delicious whether cold or hot, and goes perfectly with home cooking. It is the standard taste of Asahi Shuzo that you can enjoy without pretension.

"Fuuun Kenkiden Tange Ukon" is a unique brand born from a collaboration with Ken Ishikawa, a manga artist from Oda City. Characters from his representative works are drawn on the label, expressing a powerful and unique worldview. The contents are Junmai Ginjo sake using the phantom sake rice "Kairyo Hattan Nagare." It is a bottle coveted by fans where you can enjoy firm umami of rice and sharp taste that is not defeated by the impact of appearance.

"Rika" is a brand created by female Toji, Rika Asano, naming it after herself and pursuing the sake she really wants to drink. Maximizing the potential of "Kairyo Hattan Nagare," she realized a taste where fresh and fruity acidity and pure sweetness of rice harmonize. With lightness and ease of drinking that overturns the image of conventional sake, it has gained high support from sake beginners and women.

"Rafusen" is the representative brand of Kimura Shuzo, named after the word meaning "spirit of plum" in Chinese legend. They aim for a pure and elegant taste like plum blossoms blooming ahead of hundreds of flowers in the severe cold. It features a mellow aroma, a soft umami that spreads in the mouth, and a good aftertaste. It is a gentle sake that can be enjoyed widely from cold sake to hot sake and soothes the drinker's heart.