Sake Brands
in Wakayama

"KID" is the flagship brand of Heiwa Shuzō, imbued with the meaning of "Climate (Fudo) of Kishu" and "Standard of next-generation sake". It is characterized by a gentle and mild mouthfeel that maximizes the softness of the underground water (soft water) of the Mt. Koya system. Highly acclaimed globally, winning the Champion Sake at the "IWC", it is a sake representing Wakayama that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people from sake beginners to enthusiasts.

"Kame no Ayumi" (Tortoise's Pace) is a brand that expresses the brewery's stance of not desiring much at once but making good sake steadily little by little. The carefully aged taste is mellow with rounded edges and has a gentleness that makes you want to enjoy it slowly over time.

"Hitotsukami" is a Daiginjo sake positioned at the pinnacle of Nate Shuzoten since the Meiji era. Its name means something extremely rare and valuable, and it was once a precious item considered to be drinkable only on New Year's Day. The label with the motif of a 1-yen silver coin from the Meiji era tells the history, and the gorgeous aroma and delicate yet profound taste create a special moment.

"Saika" is a brand brewed by Kokonoe Saika, bearing the name of the Saika Ikki (gunner group) in the Sengoku period. The Saika Ikki was a group of gunners based in Kishu, and their valor and skills were widely known in the Sengoku period. This brand name contains pride in the history and warrior culture of Kishu.

"Saika Magoichi" is a brand brewed by Kokonoe Saika, named after Saika Magoichi, the leader of the Saika Ikki (gunner group) in the Sengoku period. Saika Magoichi was the leader of the gunner group based in Kishu and is a historical figure who played an active role in the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War against Oda Nobunaga. His valor and strategy have been handed down as the pride of Kishu, and this brand name implies respect for the history and warrior culture of Kishu. By brewing utilizing the rich water source of Momoyama-cho, Kinokawa City, it is popular as local sake expressing the climate of Kishu.

"Kuroushi" is the flagship brand synonymous with Nate Shuzoten. Named after the scenic spot "Kuroushi Gata" mentioned in the Manyoshu. Using the medium hard water "Manyo Kuroushi Water," the hard water brewing achieves both sharp finish and thick umami of rice. The perfection as a brewing sake is extremely high, and the compatibility with fish dishes and strongly seasoned dishes is outstanding.

"Minakata" is a brand bearing the name of the founding Minakata family. Focusing on the rice and yeast used, they brew sake expressing the climate of Kishu. It is characterized by a taste that enhances meals, harmonizing fresh aroma, rice umami, and beautiful acidity.

"Suijinbi" is a heart-warming brand with the meaning "A drunken person is like the sun." You can enjoy a taste that gently wraps around you, healing daily fatigue and giving vitality for tomorrow.

"Kiseitsuru" is a brand named to commemorate the opening of the Kisei Main Line, having walked together with the development of the region. Having the auspicious name "Tsuru" (Crane), it is also popular as a celebration sake. With a balanced taste that complements meals and snuggles up to the local food culture, it has been loved and drunk by locals for many years.

"Kurumazaka" is a brand brewed by Yoshimura Hideo Shoten, utilizing the tradition of Noto-style Yamahai brewing. Yamahai brewing is a traditional method of making yeast starter, utilizing the natural action of lactic acid bacteria and yeast to produce deep richness, complex acidity, and powerful umami. Inheriting the skills of the Noto style, it features a unique sake quality fused with the climate of Kishu. When tasted, the umami of rice spreads firmly, and the complex acidity unique to Yamahai brewing tightens the whole. While having deep richness and power, the aftertaste is sharp, demonstrating its true value as a sake served with food. Especially when served as warm sake, the umami of rice and acidity harmonize, allowing you to enjoy a rich yet sharp taste. It goes excellently with heavily seasoned dishes and fatty fish, increasing depth in combination with a wide range of Japanese food. It is loved as a unique brand where the climate of Kishu and the tradition of Noto-style Yamahai brewing are fused.

"Kinosake" is a brand that bears the "Ki" of Kishu and expresses the climate of Wakayama itself. Mainly Junmai Ginjo, the harmony of elegant aroma and refreshing taste is evaluated. It features a sophisticated sake quality that images the clear air and water of Kishu.

"Taiheiyo" (Pacific Ocean) is a sake brewed by Ozaki Shuzo, symbolizing the location of Shingu City. Shingu City is located at the mouth of the Kumano River flowing into the Pacific Ocean, having a unique climate where mountains and sea meet. As the southernmost brewery on Honshu, utilizing the location facing the Pacific Ocean, it is brewed as a brand themed on the sea. Against the background of the rich nature of Kumano and the blessings of the Pacific Ocean, details sake brewing utilizing the climate of Kishu. It is designed with a taste that is conscious of compatibility with seafood.

"Kinokuniya Bunzaemon" is a flagship brand named after the wealthy merchant of Kishu who built a huge fortune with mandarin orange ships in the Edo period. As the name suggests, it is characterized by a powerful yet sophisticated taste that makes you feel big dreams and romance. Maximizing the umami of rice and bringing out the taste of dishes as a table sake, it is a sake filled with the pride of Kishu.

"Yorokobi no Sake" (Sake of Joy) is the flagship brand of Hatsuhikari Shuzo, brewed to color celebratory seats and scenes of joy as the name suggests. Using the underground water of the Kinokawa River, it balances the umami of rice and a clean aftertaste. With a familiar taste that can be enjoyed both cold and hot, it is loved as an indispensable sake for the special days of local people in Wakayama.

"Omedeto" (Congratulations) is a brand dedicated to auspicious occasions, perfect for giving with the words "Omedeto". Carefully brewing carefully selected sake-brewing rice, it achieves a gorgeous aroma and a plump taste. As a toast sake to celebrate life's milestones such as marriage, longevity, and promotion, it conveys the heart of gratitude and blessing.

"Kinokawa" is the representative brand of Nakao Shuzoten, named after the clear stream Kinokawa River representing Wakayama Prefecture. It is brewed carefully using the underground water of the Mt. Koya system and carefully selected sake-brewing rice. Characterized by an elegant taste combining full-bodied richness, a crisp aftertaste, and good sharpness, it is a local sake that makes you feel the climate of Kishu.

"Yume Ippai" (Full of Dreams) is a long-term aged pure rice vintage sake brewed by Tsuho Shuzo. Using Yamada Nishiki polished to 60%, it is carefully aged at low temperature over time in the brewery. You can enjoy the amber color and mellow aroma unique to vintage sake, and a mellow and deep taste with rounded edges. Please enjoy the dream-like taste nurtured over time.

"Tsuho" is the flagship brand of Tsuho Shuzo, bearing the name of the brewery. It is brewed carefully using the clear underground water of the Kishigawa River and carefully selected rice. It is a local sake where you can firmly feel the umami of rice within a refreshing taste that you never get tired of drinking, and it continues to be loved along with the food culture of local Wakayama.

"Waka Tsuru" is a traditional brand that Heiwa Shuzō has continued to brew since its founding. It was named after the cranes of Wakanoura mentioned in the Man'yoshu. utilizing the climate of the Kainan Basin and the underground water of the Mt. Koya system, it is characterized by a gentle and calm taste. It is a local sake that makes you feel the climate of Wakayama, loved locally for many years.

"Kifuu" is a brand that means "Wind of Kishu". Expressing the mild climate and natural features of Wakayama, it is brewed aiming for a pleasant mouthfeel like a gently blowing breeze. It is characterized by a gentle taste that accompanies meals, harmonizing the softness derived from the underground water of the Mt. Koya system and the umami of rice.

"Kimino" is a brand brewed imagining the scenery of Kimino Town surrounded by beautiful nature. Using the underground water of the Mt. Koya system and carefully selected rice, it is finished with a clear and transparent taste. You can enjoy a pure and delicate taste that makes you feel the rich nature and beautiful water of Kishu.

"Kumanoji" is a brand brewed imagining the World Heritage "Kumano Kodo". Expressing the path of prayer walked by people since ancient Heian times, it has a taste that makes you feel the weight of history and the beauty of nature. The characters on the label are by Sukemasa Irie, Grand Chamberlain to Emperor Showa, conveying the history and romance of the Kumano pilgrimage to the present.

"Tencho" is the flagship brand of Tencho Shimamura Shuzo, derived from Laozi's "Tencho Chikyu" and named by Prince Asaka Yasuhiko. With a history as sake presented to the Imperial Family, it is characterized by an elegant aroma befitting its dignity, and a mellow and profound taste. It is an exquisite article that has been loved for a long time as a toast for special days or as a gift.

"Yoshimune" is a brand named after the eighth Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, born in Kishu. Commemorating Shogun Yoshimune who loved sake while valuing frugality, it is finished with a refreshing taste that you never get tired of drinking. It is popular as a standard local sake of Wakayama that accompanies daily evening drinks.

"Koyasan" is a brand bearing the name of Mt. Koya, a World Heritage Site and sacred place of Japanese Buddhism. Imagining the silence and solemnity of the sacred place in the sky opened by Kobo Daishi Kukai, it is carefully brewed with pure water and rice. Also highly popular as a souvenir of Mt. Koya, it has a taste that makes you feel the history and spirituality of the sacred place.