Sake Brands
in Wakayama

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Sekai Itto" is the flagship brand since the company's founding, bearing the company name. Named by Marquis Shigenobu Okuma, a hero of the Meiji Restoration, it is a historic name filled with grand wishes. Centered on honjozo sake with a refreshing taste that you never get tired of drinking, nurtured by the climate of Kishu, it is a standard sake that has been loved locally for a long time.

"Kumagusu" is a brand named after the world-renowned naturalist Kumagusu Minakata. Imbued with respect for Kumagusu's inquiring mind and intellectual heritage, it expresses his diversity and depth. It is a flavorful sake with a good balance of rice umami and acidity, which can be enjoyed with meals.

"Fuun Kenkiden Shinkage Jubei" is one of the series produced by Eizo Musha, editor-in-chief of a sake specialty magazine. The label features a drawing of a swordsman by the uniquely talented artist Toshio Saeki. Combining sharp crispness and deep taste, it is a unique bottle that makes you feel a sense of narrative.

"Kishu Gojuugomangoku" is a brand named after the rice yield (koku) of the Kishu Domain, one of the three branches of the Tokugawa family. With a name that recalls the glory and history of Kishu, it is characterized by a crisp, light, and dry taste. It can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from cold to hot sake, making it an ideal local sake for daily evening drinks.

"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.

"Kishu" is a locally rooted brand bearing the old provincial name of Wakayama. Brewed with the rich nature and water of Wakayama, it is characterized by a simple taste that is pleasant to drink. It is a familiar local sake that accompanies the daily dining table.

"Miotsukushi" is a series developing special pure rice sake and others. "Miotsukushi" means a guidepost showing a sea route, and it contains the desire to show a new path for sake. You can enjoy a powerful yet delicate taste that cherishes the original taste of rice.