Sake Brands
in Tochigi

"Idurusan" is a brand with a traditional flavor brewed by Sugita Shuzo, which maintains high-quality production despite its small scale. Using pure groundwater from the Nikko mountain range and the labord-intensive "Sase-shiki Fune-shibori" (fune pressing method) for all its products, this sake truly embodies the concept of "sake that is truly like sake." With a rare production scale of only about 300 koku (approx. 54,000 liters), it features a rich and well-balanced flavor that maximizes the umami of the rice. Each sip offers the deep body unique to traditional methods, followed by a refreshing clarity brought by the pure water, leaving a pleasant finish. The brand name is derived from the "Izuru" (Iduru) region in Tochigi, known for its spring water selected as one of Japan's 100 best water sources. It is a gem deeply loved by local sake fans, concentrating the blessings of nature and the sincere passion of the brewers into every bottle.

"Hokkoji Goriki" is a brand with a unique story, representing the passion and inquisitive spirit of Sugita Shuzo. The name is derived from the "Goriki-meshi-shiki," a traditional Shinto ritual in the Hokkoji area of Kanuma City. The sake rice used, "Goriki," is a rare revived variety that was once on the brink of extinction but was tenaciously brought back to life from just five grains of seed rice—an identity-defining achievement for the brewery. Taking advantage of its large grain characteristics comparable to Yamada Nishiki, the rice is meticulously polished to 40%. This sake boasts a blissful balance of a gorgeous ginjo aroma reminiscent of peaches and the powerful, natural sweetness of the rice. Through the traditional "Sase-shiki Fune-shibori" method, it achieves a clean acidity and deep umami without impurities. Exquisitely brewed in small batches, this bottle features a flavor full of vitality worthy of its name from the traditional ritual. It is a one-of-a-kind local sake that beautifully fuses the strength of the revived "Goriki" rice with the delicate techniques of Sugita Shuzo.

"Yuto Masamune" (Great Eastern Masamune) is the flagship brand that symbolizes the history and prowess of Sugita Shuzo. Originally named "Yuto Masamune" (meaning "Excellent Masamune"), it was renamed to the current characters representing the "Hero of the East" after winning eight consecutive excellence awards at competitions. As its name suggests, it continues to preserve a heroic and orthodox flavor that represents Eastern Japan. Aiming for "sake that is truly like sake," the brewery uses pure groundwater from the Nikko mountain range and strictly selected rice. All products are manufactured using the traditional "Sase-shiki Fune-shibori" method, pursuing a dense, rich, and umami-filled quality unique to small-scale breweries. The core lineup, such as the "Junmai Ginjo Omachi," achieves an exquisite balance of the plump umami characteristic of Omachi rice and a light yet deep mouthfeel brought by traditional techniques. It is an authentic local sake where the pride of a long-established brewery and unwavering technology live on, allowing drinkers to appreciate its value with every sip.

"Oju" is a bold, innovative, and experimental label created by the next generation of brewers at Sugita Shuzo. The name combines one character from Hakuoh University, the alma mater of the manufacturing manager, with "ju" (tree), representing the hope that the brand will take root in the local community and grow significantly. It is a presence that breathes new sensibility into this tradition-honoring brewery. The true essence of this brand lies in its commitment to the traditional "Kimoto" brewing method, which has continued since the Edo period. No artificial lactic acid or water processing is used; it is made solely from pure groundwater from the Nikko mountain range, rice, rice koji, and yeast. It pursues a unique flavor that is both wild and refined, utilizing the power of nature to its fullest. With a different theme set each year, it explores the further possibilities of sake. While maintaining the craftsmanship of finishing everything with the "Sase-shiki Fune-shibori" method, its unique and expressive quality fascinates connoisseurs. It is a bottle concentrated with the new passion of Sugita Shuzo, raising expectations for the future.

"Sanpuku" is a historical brand that represents the roots of Sanpuku Shuzo, bearing the name of the brewery itself. The name originates from the wish for three types of fortune (Puku) to be granted: to the drinker (Donpuku), the brewer (Zopuku), and the seller (Baipuku), or alternatively, reflecting a combination of individual happiness and contribution to society. After more than 120 years, this spirit still lives on in every drop. Using pure water from the Nikko mountain range pumped from deep beneath the solid grounds of Oyama City, Tochigi. It is characterized by a modest yet core umami and a pleasant sharpness as it glides down the throat. While preserving traditional methods, it pursues a calm quality that enhances the food on the table. Without flashy presentation, it accompanies daily life and adds a small joy to special occasions. As a "local sake" that has walked alongside its community, Sanpuku combines a sense of security that never grows tiresome with a universal appeal loved across generations.

"Houou Biden" is the flagship brand of Kobayashi Shuzo and a highly popular brand that commands an overwhelming presence in the modern sake scene. Its name originates from the former village name "Mita-mura," where the brewery is located, and the "Houou" (Phoenix) that soars majestically. It is characterized by a unique, brilliant aroma and fresh flavor born from mastering traditional Ginjo brewing. The greatest appeal is the rich, fruity Ginjo aroma reminiscent of Muscat, white peach, and European pear. The fine, elegant sweetness that spreads the moment it enters the mouth and the high-quality acidity that supports it create an exquisite harmony, leading to a beautiful, translucent finish. Through thorough quality control and passionate brewing, it has gained immense support not only from sake fans but also from wine lovers and the younger generation. Known as a "hard-to-obtain brand" due to supply being very limited relative to demand, Houou Biden is a refined gem where traditional skills and modern sensibilities crystallize.

"Bidentsuru" is a community-rooted brand that Kobayashi Shuzo has carefully preserved. While "Houou Biden," with its nationwide popularity, symbolizes brilliant innovation, Bidentsuru serves as the "local sake" deeply rooted in the culture of Oyama City, Tochigi. Its name originates from the landscape of the formerly bountiful "Mita-mura" and the elegant figure of the crane, a symbol of celebration. It is characterized by a calm aroma and a solid flavor centered on the rustic umami of the rice itself. As a sake to be enjoyed with meals that never grows tiresome, it has long accompanied the daily lives and food culture of local people. Its distribution is limited even within Tochigi, making it a hidden gem loved by true local sake enthusiasts. The tradition of this long-established brewery and its deep passion for the region have culminated in a straightforward, warm, and comforting flavor.

"Shisso Kenjitsu" (Simplicity and Fortitude) is a brand that bears the very conviction of Ikejima Shuzo's sake brewing. This four-character idiom, meaning "unadorned, sincere, and firmly grounded," embodies the honest stance of the family creed: "The master must personally enter the brewery." Brewed carefully one by one using traditional methods without over-relying on machinery, this sake is characterized by a calm, settled aroma and a straightforward flavor that never grows tiresome. It is not flamboyant, but it pursues a warm quality that gently accompanies daily dining tables and blends naturally into the body. Valuing essential quality over extravagance, it has long been supported in Ohtawara City as a sake for connoisseurs. It is a bottle that can truly be called "honesty itself," where the spirit of the brewery is concentrated.

"Ikejima" is the flagship brand of Ikejima Shuzo, bearing the brewery's own name and brewed with family pride and responsibility. Utilizing the harsh winter cold of Ohtawara City, Tochigi, and the blessed environment of pure groundwater from the Nasu mountains, this gem is finished with meticulous hand-brewing by skilled artisans. The greatest characteristic is the powerful yet delicate umami that draws out the life force of the rice—something that can never be achieved by robotic production. Methods that spare no effort, such as traditional brewing, create a unique personality with richness and depth. As the face of the brewery, it has been prized primarily within Tochigi as a sake for gifts on special occasions and for important banquets. Conveying the founder's spirit to the present day, "Ikejima" is a brand that symbolizes the history and journey of Ikejima Shuzo and serves as a testament to their reliability.

"Ikenishiki" is the crowning brand of Ikejima Shuzo and a sake that has captivated many local fans as the "Beautiful Sake of Nasu." Its name combines the character "Ike" (pond), symbolizing the brewery, with "Nishiki" (brocade), the finest woven fabric, reflecting the brewers' passion for pursuing a beautiful and brilliant flavor. Pure groundwater from the Nasu mountains is used for brewing. By adhering to traditional hand-brewing methods and maximizing the potential of local Tochigi sake rice, it achieves a fine and elegant mouthfeel. A calm aroma, mellow umami, and a sharp finish harmonize in an exquisite balance. Cherished for many years in Ohtawara City, this brand continues to evolve as the "New Ikenishiki" following a recent business succession, inheriting tradition while incorporating fresh sensibilities. It is a brand that truly speaks of the Tochigi climate, a crystallization of historical techniques and regional pride.

"Horan" was the flagship brand of the now-closed Horan Shuzo, a soulful sake that bore the brewery's own name. The name "Horan" is an elegant combination of "Ho-oh" (phoenix) and "Ran-cho" (simurgh), legendary birds from Chinese mythology, expressing celebration and nobility. Characterized by a calm flavor born from the blessed water and soil of Ohtawara City, it was cherished for many years as a "local sake" that complemented the regional food culture. Though production has sadly ceased, like the auspicious birds depicted on its labels, the flavor once loved under the skies of Ohtawara continues to be passed down as a part of history.

"Tentaka" is the flagship brand of Tentaka Shuzo and a synonym for dry sake. Aiming for the duality of "sharp crispness" and "pleasant umami," it has been brewed since the founding in 1914 through refined tradition and the latest brewing technology. The brand is highly regarded for its strong commitment to "Organic Certification," symbolizing sake production that pursues environmental consideration and food safety. From Junmai Daiginjo to casual sake, it consistently maintains a backbone of "powerful dry sake that enhances meals," characterized by a refreshing sensation that straightens one's posture with every sip. Having won numerous gold awards in domestic and international competitions, it has made its name known worldwide as a pioneer of Japanese organic sake. It is an exquisite product representing Tochigi, possessing a nobility like a hawk soaring in the sky—powerful yet refined.

"Kyu-bi" is a modern, small-batch series by Tentaka Shuzo, representing their challenge towards the next generation of sake. Named after the local legend of the "Nine-Tailed Fox" in Ohtawara, this brand stands apart from the traditional "Tentaka," symbolizing free and creative brewing unconstrained by existing concepts. Each season, they combine different yeasts, brewing methods, and rice varieties to express the multi-layered charm of sake, ranging from sweet to ultra-dry, and even syrupy sweet styles like noble rot wine. With labels and concepts changing each time, it is a brand that provides surprise and discovery, serving as a crystallization of the brewer's intellectual curiosity. This creative range, emerging from a venerable brewery and transcending the boundaries of traditional sake, is supported by the passion of young brewers seeking new forms of local sake. It is a mysterious and attractive brand where a new story unfolds with every sip.

"Tentaka Kokoro" is a brand that symbolizes the Junmai Daiginjo and Junmai Ginjo lines of Tentaka Shuzo, representing ultimate dignity and harmony. It embodies the brewer's desire to express the "heart of sake brewing," serving as a bottle where the brewery's technology and passion culminate in their purest form. It is characterized by a calm and elegant ginjo aroma combined with a rich flavor that draws out the maximum umami from the rice. It is not just dry; it boasts an exquisite balance between the delicate sweetness that spreads in the mouth and a refined, clean finish—perfection that can be called the "zenith of dry sake." Cherished for years as a gem suitable for special meals or gifts, this sake conveys the history and "heart" of the brewery with every sip. It is an elegant and profound Japanese sake.

"Daina" is the flagship brand of Kikunori Shuzo, named with respect for the "Great Land of Nasu." With the goal of being the "ultimate food-pairing sake," it is characterized by a transparent quality that maximizes the flavor of dishes and never grows tiring to drink. Using local sake rice contract-grown at the foot of the Nasu Highlands and brewed with mineral-rich groundwater, its flavor elegantly harmonizes precise acidity with the mellow umami of rice. Enjoyable across a wide range of temperatures from chilled to warm, it is highly acclaimed for its pairing not only with Japanese cuisine but also with French, Italian, and other Western dishes. It is a sophisticated modern standard of sake, bringing the terroir of Tochigi to the world.

"Kikunori" is a traditional brand bearing the brewery's name, deeply loved by the local community since its founding in 1866. It has long been brewed as a sake that accompanies the rural landscape of Nasuno-ga-hara, its pure water, and local festivals. Characterized by a calm, gentle aroma and a soft flavor that never grows tiring, it embodies the origins of a "local sake" rooted in the community. Once the face of the brewery, this brand served as the technical foundation for the current mainstream "Daina" and remains an important brand that conveys the brewery's history and tradition today.