Sake Brands
in Wakayama

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Sanada Shinobi" is a brand imagining the Sengoku warlord Sanada Yukimura, who has a connection to the Katsuragi-cho area, and his subordinate ninjas. The dry and sharp taste expresses roughness and purity like a ninja, making it a popular bottle among history fans.