Sake Brands
in Wakayama

"Kin Aoi" (Golden Hollyhock) is a dignified brand named after the "Aoi no Gomon" (Hollyhock Crest), the family crest of the Kishu Tokugawa family. Having the background of the prestige and history of the Kishu Domain, the head of the Tokugawa Gosanke, it is characterized by a taste that combines gorgeousness and high tone. As a gift or for a banquet on a special day, its taste full of elegance is pleased.

"Ryujinmaru" is a flagship brand of Takagaki Shuzo known nationwide. It was named after the Dragon God legend of the brewing water "Kukaisui." It became famous instantly after appearing in the manga "Moyashimon," and is also called "phantom sake" due to its small production volume. The fruity aroma, the umami of rice, and the taste that makes you feel the clarity of the spring water continue to fascinate many local sake fans.

"Sato no Hana" is a brand launched by the current female brewery owner with the wish to "continue blooming like a flower in this land." It aimed for a taste that gently wraps around the drinker so that they can feel relieved. Characterized by a gorgeous yet calm aroma and gentle sweetness of rice, it is a bottle that conveys the warm feelings of the maker.

"Tenkyu" is a historic brand born to commemorate the enthronement of Emperor Showa. It contains the meaning of "Heaven and Earth for a long time," expressing the wish to be a sake loved for a long time. It is a staple sake loved locally for many years, characterized by a taste that you never get tired of drinking, enjoyable widely from cold to hot sake.

"Kirari" is a brand named from the desire to be "a sake that sparkles even in a rural area." Adhering to handmade and born from careful brewing, its taste is delicate and transparent. As the name suggests, it is a sake that delivers joy and fun that sparkles in the drinker's heart.

"Nagarekasumi" is a brand that makes you feel the history of Takagaki Shuzo, bearing a word that has been used as another name for sake since ancient times. The traditional sake brewing techniques are alive, and it features a solid richness and umami, and a good aftertaste. From the heavy taste preferred by sake connoisseurs to fresh types, it has a profound charm like mist as the name suggests.

"Shirama" is a brand of nigori sake brewed in winter cold brewing. You can directly feel the rustic flavor of coarsely squeezed mash and the original sweetness and umami of rice. Characterized by a white cloudy appearance reminiscent of a white horse in thawing snow and a rich yet smooth mouthfeel, it is a sake full of seasonal feeling.

"Takagaki" is a brand filled with confidence and pride, bearing the brewery's name as it is. Brewed by gathering the best of the brewery's techniques, it harmonizes refreshing sharpness and elegant umami of rice. It is a taste with a dignified appearance and dignity suitable for carrying the brewery's name.

"Kindai Sake" is a Junmai sake born from a collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University. Using 100% sake rice "Yamada Nishiki" cultivated with care by students at the attached Yuasa Farm, it was brewed with Takagaki Shuzo's "Kukaisui." It is a bottle that can be said to be the crystallization of learning and regional revitalization, where the passion of young people and the technology of the long-established brewery fused.

"Kishu Bijin" (Kishu Beauty) is a sake that images beauty and dignity like a woman of Kishu, as its graceful name suggests. It used to be brewed at the brewery, but now its taste is inherited by consignment brewing. It is characterized by a refreshing mouthfeel and a light taste that is easy to match with meals, and is popular as a local sake representing Gobo City.

"Benkei no Sato" is a brand named after the legend that Tanabe City, where Suzuki Soemon Shuzo is located, is the birthplace of Musashibo Benkei. Known for nigori sake with a thick and rich mouthfeel, you can enjoy a solid taste and the umami of rice that reminds you of Benkei's strength.

"Sandanbeki" is a brand created with the image of the majestic appearance of Sandanbeki, a scenic spot in Nanki Shirahama. It features a sharp dry taste like a precipitous cliff where the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean crash. It goes well with seafood and is a sake where you can enjoy a refreshing aftertaste.

"Kumano Kodo" is a brand that makes you feel the romance of history, themed on the pilgrimage route registered as a World Heritage Site. Using water and rice nurtured by the nature of Kumano, it is brewed aiming for a pure and deep taste that gives healing after walking on the ancient road.

"Umashikumano" is a brand that expresses the beauty of Kumano, which was recited as "Umashikumano" in Japan's oldest anthology of poems, "Manyoshu." As the name suggests, it features an elegant and graceful aroma and a smooth and beautiful taste that seems to reflect the beautiful nature and climate of Kumano.

"Kumano Sanzan" is Ozaki Shuzo's flagship brand, a sake named after the World Heritage Site Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha). Shingu City has flourished as the gateway to the Kumano Sanzan since ancient times and has been bustling with pilgrims visiting the Kumano Kodo. This brand name contains the brewery's desire to reflect respect for the sacred sites of Kumano and the history and nature of this land in sake brewing. As sake brewed in the warm climate of the southernmost tip of Honshu, it has a unique personality. Using water nurtured by the rich nature of Kumano and brewing utilizing the climate of Kishu, it expresses the characteristics of local sake of Kumano. When you taste it, a gentle aroma and the umami of rice spread, and a balanced acidity brings the whole together. The aftertaste is refreshing and sharp, and it goes well with seafood and mountain products of Kumano. Loved by pilgrims visiting Kumano Kodo and locals, it provides sake unique to this land as a brand that embodies the climate and culture of Kumano.

"Kumano Gawa" is a brand themed on the majestic Kumano River, also known as the river pilgrimage route of the World Heritage Kumano Kodo. Using pure underground water for brewing, it features a smooth and refreshing mouthfeel like the flow of a river.

"Isana" is a brand named after the old name for whale, "Isana," imaging the sea of Kumano, which has been deeply involved with whaling culture since ancient times. It features a powerful and rich taste that men of the sea would have loved, and the compatibility with fresh seafood is outstanding.

"Hirokawa" is brewed with gratitude to the rich local climate and water as a brand rooted in the region. It features a gentle and mild aroma and a taste where the umami of rice spreads, making it a sake that snuggles up to the daily dining table.

"Kinkyo" was named with the image of the beautiful autumn colors (Kinshu) landscape of the hometown, Kinokawa City. It features a mellow taste and depth due to aging, making it a calm sake that you want to enjoy slowly on a long autumn night.

"Teppo-tai" (Gunner Squad) has a historical brand name unique to Kishu/Wakayama and features a powerful and punchy taste. It has the richness unique to undiluted sake (Genshu) and a solid acidity leading to Yamahai brewing, making it a satisfying bottle to drink.

"Bazara Taisho" is a brand aiming for free and dynamic sake brewing, as if embodying the spirit of Basara. Known for thick nigori sake, it is a unique sake characterized by rich sweetness and umami, and the impact coming from high alcohol content.

"Nihonjo" is Yoshimura Hideo Shoten's flagship brand, named after the brewery's trade name, embodying the tradition of Noto-style Yamahai brewing. Using the unique technique of Noto-style Yamahai brewing, sake brewing utilizing the natural action of lactic acid bacteria and yeast produces a unique sake quality with deep richness, complex acidity, and powerful umami. When tasted, a solid umami of rice spreads, and you can feel the complex acidity and deep richness unique to Yamahai brewing. It features a profound taste where power and delicacy coexist. It shows its true value when served as warm sake, and by warming, 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. It is a brand that embodies Yoshimura Hideo Shoten's philosophy of sake brewing, fusing the tradition of Noto-style Yamahai brewing and the climate of Kishu.

"Hannyatou" is the flagship brand brewed by Hatsusakurashuzo, inheriting the tradition of the World Heritage Site, Mt. Koya. In Mt. Koya, sake has been called "Hannyatou" since ancient times. Although drinking alcohol is originally forbidden in Buddhism, sake was called Hannyatou as a medicine to warm the body in Mt. Koya, and there is a history that monks also secretly enjoyed it. Adopting this traditional name for the brand name, it has been established as a specialty sake of Mt. Koya. Hatsusakurashuzo has been loved by pilgrims and monks as the brewery closest to Mt. Koya. Using the clear underground water of the Mt. Koya system as brewing water, it is brewed in an environment blessed with a cool climate and rich water sources at the foot of the sacred peak Mt. Koya. When tasted, a gentle aroma and the umami of rice spread, featuring a refreshing taste nurtured by the pure water of Mt. Koya. The aftertaste is sharp, and it goes well with vegetarian cuisine (Shojin Ryori) and Japanese food in general. It is also very popular as a souvenir for visiting Mt. Koya, and is widely known not only locally but also widely as a unique brand with a religious background and historical story. There is a product lineup bearing the name of Mt. Koya, such as "Koyasan Sei Hannyatou" and "Koyasan Hannyatou," which are popular among pilgrims.

"Hatsusakura" (First Cherry Blossoms) is a brand bearing the name of the brewery that has been loved locally for a long time. Like the cherry blossoms announcing the arrival of spring, it features a gorgeous yet friendly taste that snuggles up to the lives of local people.

"Kikaku" (Tortoise and Crane) is an auspicious brand named after the tortoise and crane, symbols of longevity and prosperity. It features a dignified taste that is appreciated for celebrations and gifts, and a good balance that you won't get tired of drinking.