Sake Brands
in Yamagata

Dewazakura is a representative Japanese Ginjo sake brand born from the terroir of Yamagata and the brewery's innovation. In particular, "Oka Ginjo" is known as an immortal masterpiece that spread the appeal of Ginjo sake across Japan, masterfully harmonizing a brilliant aroma with a dignified sharpness. Embodying the brewery's wish to "bring Ginjo to every dining table," this sake possesses the magic to turn ordinary daily life into a special moment and continues to be Yamagata's pride, winning numerous gold medals globally.

Kudoki Jozu is a gem of Ginjo sake from Yamagata, with its name carrying the passion to enchant and "persuade" its enthusiasts. It features an exquisite harmony between a refined, low-acid quality typical of Ogawa Yeast and a rich aroma reminiscent of fully ripened fruits. Its smooth, glossy sweetness symbolizes the spirit of hospitality and brilliance of Japanese sake, continuing to shine brilliantly at gourmet dining settings worldwide.

Juyondai is a peerless brand that rewrote the history of Japanese sake, reigning at the pinnacle both in Japan and abroad. It is characterized by an elegant and brilliant aroma reminiscent of melons or peaches—overturning conventional images—along with a rich sweetness that conveys the vitality of rice and an incredibly smooth mouthfeel. These extremely rare limited editions are works of art, where refined techniques, the nature of Okitama, and the demands of the era fuse perfectly, remaining the ultimate aspiration for enthusiasts worldwide.

Jokigen is Sakata's representative Ginjo brand, carrying the wish that "everyone who drinks this sake will be in a good mood (Jokigen) and find a source of supreme joy." The deep umami brewed through traditional Kimoto-zukuri and a refreshing clarity reminiscent of Mount Chokai's melted snow draw a vivid contrast in the mouth. Its quality, honored with numerous gold medals at the Annual Japan Sake Awards, is supported by magical skills that draw out the unique characteristics of various rice varieties like Yamada Nishiki, Omachi, and Aiyama, delivering a moving experience filled with joy in every sip.

Azuma no Fumoto is the flagship brand embodying the soul of the brewery, nurtured by the groundwater of the Azuma Mountain Range and the sharp temperature shifts of the Okitama Basin. Through traditional techniques cultivated over 125 years, it achieves a harmonious flavor that blends crisp freshness with deep umami, reflecting the very terroir of Nanyo. Embodying the concept of "a cup that fills the heart," it has long been cherished as a masterpiece that graces special moments and everyday life.

Shuho, the signature brand named after the mythical Fenghuang (Phoenix), embodies the brewery's ideal of crafting sake with distinct personality. Characterized by a brilliant fruity aroma similar to apples and grapes, it balances elegant sweetness with the robust umami of Yamagata rice. This celebrated brand harmonizes Zao's natural gifts with traditional techniques, earning high praise from enthusiasts worldwide.

Ooyama is a brand that bears the name of the historic sake town of Oyama, embodying the spirit of "harmony" loved by many. The rich umami of rice from the Edo-period "Tomizu Shikomi" technique and the crispness brought by Mount Gassan's pure water create a perfect symphony in the mouth. True to its motto "Ooyama is the Sake of Love," it features a deep flavor filled with affection, gently embracing warm moments around a meal and the bonds between people.

Yonetsuru is the flagship brand representing the brewery, named after the image of "bowing rice ears" that bring good fortune and express gratitude to the drinker. Through traditional techniques refined over 320 years, it perfectly balances the plump umami of rice with a crisp, dignified finish. With a solid quality proven by numerous awards and a pure taste that reflects the Takahata terroir, it is highly esteemed both for daily enjoyment and as a premium gift.

Eiko Fuji is a globally popular Muroka Nama Genshu (unfiltered raw undiluted sake) brand that symbolizes the progressive spirit of Fuji Shuzo. Through rigorous year-round brewing, it delivers a consistently fresh taste, with fruit-like vibrant aromas and powerful rice umami as its primary attractions. Each of its seasonal limited editions—themed after various rice varieties—exudes a vivid individuality, presenting a form of Japanese sake full of entertainment that never lets the drinker tire.

Matsumine no Fuji is a brand symbolizing Matsuyama Shuzo's tradition, carrying the beauty of Fuji seen from a pine ridge and regional pride in its name. It sublimates Shonai's rich harvests and Mt. Chokai's blessings into a harmonious, deep flavor through careful manual labor. Its quality, where a calm aroma and the original umami of rice gently expand, richly colors daily dining tables and is full of warmth that reminds one of hometown scenery.

Hatsumago is a famous brand representing Yamagata, filled with joy and affection, named in the early Showa period to celebrate the birth of the family's first son. Brewed entirely through the Kimoto method, its flavor perfectly balances the mellow richness produced by natural lactic acid with a beautiful crispness that glides down the throat. From the sharp dry taste symbolized by the classic "Makiri" to supreme Junmai Daiginjo, it continues to be loved across generations as a "source of joy" that makes drinkers happy in any scene.

Toko (Eastern Light) is the flagship brand of Kojima Sohonten, cherished as the "sake of the sunrise" that illuminated the castle town of Yonezawa. Renowned for its fruity aroma and velvety-smooth texture, it consistently earns top honors at prestigious domestic and international awards. This brand represents the perfect fusion of 420 years of heritage and cutting-edge brewing technology, standing as a global ambassador for Yamagata's excellence.

Hakuro Suishu is the premium brand of Takenotsuyu Shuzojo, named after the poetic scene of morning dew shining white and dripping like jewels. Its greatest characteristics are a superb smoothness—filled with moisture—and a crystal-like transparency without impurities, brought by sterile ultra-soft water from 300m underground. Brewed with the spirit of "Chisan Chisho," its flavor allows the refined sweetness of rice to spread delicately, offering a mystical experience as if the mind and body are being purified with every drop.

Sugisami is a traditional brand with 100 years of history, carrying the brewery's pride. As the name suggests, it features unwavering core strength like a cedar tree and the mellow, brave rice umami expanding in the mouth. Mt. Chokai's groundwater adds a refined crispness to its power. Its robust flavor, unaffected by trends, is loved across generations as a "celebratory sake" deepening regional ties and a "soulful sake" providing daily vitality.

Benten is the flagship brand of Goto Shuzoten, derived from the goddess Benzaiten of the Seven Lucky Gods, aiming for a quality that is sensorially beautiful. With a prestigious story of being allowed to carry the name by a Shinto priest in Kyoto, it achieves a silk-smooth mouthfeel and elegant aroma by polishing contract-grown rice to the limits. Fitting for the name of the goddess of arts, the flavor woven by delicate aesthetic sense and traditional skills is a supreme masterpiece that can truly be called "liquid art" that excites the heart as you drink.

Fumotoi is the flaghip brand symbolizing Fumotoi Shuzo's tradition, named after the "water of life" springing at the foot of Mt. Chokai. Merging "Kimoto" brewing that pursues traditional flavor with polished Junmai brewing techniques, it features a harmony of refined aroma and gentle, deep umami. Its flavor, possessing both beauty like clear air and unwavering core strength rooted in the earth, is loved as a blissful cup for thoroughly enjoying Shonai's blessings.

Hanauyo is the flagship brand of Koya Shuzo, inspired by a flower blooming in "Uyo no Kuni," an ancient name for Yamagata. Using the purified cores of rice polished in-house and specializing in Ginjo methods, it is characterized by a brilliant and transparent aroma. While possessing the dignity of Yamagata's oldest traditional brewery, it offers a fresh and refined taste that feels like a cooling breeze with every sip.

Yamatozakura is the flagship brand protected by Sato Sajiemon for 130 years, carrying the ancient name for Japan, "Yamato," and the symbolic "Sakura" (Cherry Blossom). Woven from high-quality Shonai rice and pure water derived from Mt. Gassan, its quality is as elegant as cherry blossoms blooming in a spring sunspot, featuring a gentle umami that permeates the heart. Its honest brewing respecting tradition and neat flavor embodying Japanese aesthetics have long vividly colored regional celebrations and family gatherings.

Temahima is Rokkasen's ultimate Junmai Daiginjo brand that, as the name suggests (meaning "time and effort"), pours in time and effort without any compromise. Mastering the traditional three-step brewing process (Sandan-shikomi) and carefully brewing every drop to maximize the material's potential, they polish their soul slowly in the silence of snow country. The mellow aroma that overwhelms the drinker and the supreme transparency achievable only through such effort are the "pinnacle of luxury" that transforms daily life into a special moment.

The flagship brand with 300 years of history. An orthodox style with balanced maturity and terroir.

Jukyukura is a refined label from Kotobuki Toraya Shuzo, representing the pinnacle of over 300 years of brewing expertise combined with the pure water of the Zao Mountain Range. This sake beautifully expresses the unique terroir of Yamagata through meticulous craftsmanship and the use of pristine Takase River water. It offers an authentic and timeless flavor profile, embodying the quiet confidence of veteran brewers.

Yama no Katachi, meaning "The Shape of Mountains," is a Junmai Ginjo that embodies the "Yamagata terroir," using 100% locally sourced rice, yeast, and water. The name pays tribute to the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding the prefecture, the very origin of the name "Yamagata," and delivers a floral aroma reminiscent of Muscat with a crisp, dry finish. It is a brand rich in regional color, condensing the blessings of nature and the pride of artisans into a cup that feels like a sensory journey through the local landscape.

Uyo Kinran is the flagship brand of Kinran Shuzo, embodying the ultimate wish for sake to be "as beautiful and brilliantly blooming as brocade." With a strict focus on Junmai-style production, it features a well-balanced and refined flavor profile created by Takahata's sharp temperature fluctuations and pure water. This trusted brand, loved locally for generations, honestly expresses the rice umami nurtured by Okitama's nature, adding a touch of elegance to daily meals.

Chiyokotobuki, the flagship brand registered in 1952, embodies the brewery's wish for "blessings that continue for a thousand generations (Chiyo)." Crafted strictly with 100% Yamagata rice and Mt. Gassan's pure spring water, it represents the very core of the brewery's philosophy of local authenticity. For over 70 years, this brand has captured hearts by delivering a refined balance and the honest expression of Yamagata's terroir with a clean finish.

Soumura is the flagship brand that embodies the philosophy of Naganuma, possessing a refined and dignified character. The pure umami inherent in the water and rice is extracted drop by drop through the luxurious process of "Fune-shibori" (pressing with a traditional wooden press). It is characterized by a gentle, elegant aroma, a refreshing texture that glides smoothly down the throat, and a profound rice afterglow, making it an exquisite selection that elegantly enhances modern dining.