Sake Brands
in Yamagata

Yukimukae is Taruhei Shuzo's proud Junmai Namazake brand, announcing the arrival of harsh winter and the bliss of snowmelt. Because it is bottled without any pasteurization (hi-ire), you can enjoy the fresh aroma of living yeast and the vibrant flavor of freshly pressed sake. The quality, blending the refreshing clarity unique to the snow country Yamagata with the lush umami of rice from Junmai sake, is a seasonal gift that makes the heart feel dignified.

Sumiyoshi is a long-selling brand that Taruhei Shuzo is proud of, mastering a sharp and clear dry taste. While "Taruhei" is a mellow Umakuchi, "Sumiyoshi" aims for an exquisite coexistence of refreshing crispness and the delicate flavor unique to Junmai sake. The refined mouthfeel, leaving no off-flavors in the aftertaste, has consistently impressed connoisseurs for a long time as the perfect partner that enhances any dish.

Fukubotan is the representative brand of Fukubotan Shuzo, carrying an auspicious name symbolizing happiness and wealth. It was brewed aiming for a glorious aroma and a dignified, noble taste like the peony, the king of flowers. Due to the brewery's closure in 2015, it has become a "phantom brand" difficult to obtain today, but its mellow mouthfeel and elegant aftertaste remain in memory as a masterpiece of Okitama sake that once charmed many people.

Wakanoi is the flagship brand representing the brewery, embodying the gentleness of the "super soft water" nurtured by the Iide mountain range. Through long-term low-temperature maturation in a "Yukimuro" (snow room), the umami of the rice is sublimated into a mellow, rounded maturity, featuring a transparent mouthfeel that glides down the throat. From traditional labels to the playful "Cat Label" series, the flavor—a fusion of natural power and human skill—promises a blissful moment that gently unwinds the drinker's heart.

Iidesan is the flagship Daiginjo of Wakanoi Shuzo, brewed with reverence for the sacred peak Mt. Iide. By polishing the finest Yamada Nishiki to 35% and letting it sleep for a full year in a "Yukimuro" (snow room) in a heavy snowfall area, the glorious aroma unique to Daiginjo harmonizes with a deep gentleness that feels like the pulse of life. The delicate finish brought by super soft water and the supreme maturation nurtured by snow country nature make this bottle an artistic masterpiece embodying the silence and abundance of a sanctuary.

Oguni Sakuragawa is the flagship brand reborn as a symbol of Oguni's terroir, receiving the blessings of the sacred Iide mountain range foothills. The pure spring water melting from perennial snow gently envelopes the umami of the rice, achieving a "mellow and clear mouthfeel" just like snowmelt. The flavor, harmonizing the weight of over 300 years of tradition with the pure air unique to heavy snowfall regions, is a heartwarming masterpiece that brings to mind the beautiful seasonal scenes of Oguni with every sip.

Shuchu Rakko is a brand expressing the rich cultural and healthy aspects of Japanese sake, with the wish that "within sake, there is joy and health." Based on Goto Shuzoten's uncompromising philosophy of "all production being specific designation sake," it is characterized by meticulous design unique to small-batch production and a pure flavor that draws out the power of locally grown contract rice. Its gentle umami that seems to unwind the mind and body, along with a refreshing mouthfeel that adds color and wellness to daily life, is loved by a wide range of sake fans.

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.

Salute Sae is a brand symbolizing Wada Shuzo's innovative challenge, fusing the Italian word for toast, "Salute," with the Japanese word "Sae" (clear/sharp). While inheriting the smoothness of traditional soft water brewing, it pursues a "piercing crispness and transparency" that resonates with modern sensibilities. This sake, where Eastern and Western aesthetics intersect, colors daily toasts more vividly and intellectually, opening up new horizons for Japanese sake that transcend traditional boundaries.

Aratama is a traditional brand that Wada Shuzo has protected since its founding, carrying a name that symbolizes New Year's season words and auspicious beginnings. Featuring a fine, silk-smooth mouthfeel created by Mt. Gassan's spring water and a delicate quality where rice umami gracefully expands. Including Junmai sake brewed with the rare "Kairyo Shinko" rice only available locally, it is deeply loved across generations as a "sake of celebration" that delivers happiness and hope to the drinker.

Asahikawa is the flagship brand representing the pride of Asahikawa Shuzo, conveying over 170 years of tradition to the present. Using 100% locally grown "Yamasake No. 4" rice and carefully brewed by skilled craftsmen, it pursues a sharp and crisp "essence of dry sake." With high skills backed by Gold Medals at the Annual Japan Sake Awards and a brave transparency that vividly complements food, it is deeply supported by those who love traditional Japanese sake aesthetics.

Yamabukiroku is a challenging brand of Asahikawa Shuzo born in 2001, with a consistent philosophy of "sake that chooses the drinker." Named after the family name "Asagi," it features a bright yellow (Yamabuki) glow intentionally left in the sake and a deep maturation sense from Kimoto brewing, radiating a unique presence as a connoisseur's food-pairing sake. Its complex and dynamic flavor, which draws out the power of Kaho-grown "Yamasake No. 4" to the limit, transcends existing sake frameworks and captivates advanced drinkers seeking new moving experiences.

Rokkasen is the representative brand carrying the company name, a masterpiece expressing Yamagata's terroir with the emotion of Waka poetry. It features a harmony of refined aroma and gentle, deep umami woven by the pure groundwater of Mt. Kurobushi and carefully selected Yamagata rice. While cherishing good old traditions, its elegant flavor that blends into modern dining tables brings a luxurious sense of comfort with every sip, continuing to stay close to the hearts of many people.

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.

Hitotoki is a conceptual sparkling sake brand proposed by Rokkasen that opens a new door for Japanese sake. Born to color the "precious moments spent with loved ones," it features delicate bubbles from secondary in-bottle fermentation and a gentle, transparent sweetness unique to low-alcohol types. Its flavor, which stylishly sublimates Japanese sake tradition, radiates a brilliance that makes youth, women, and people around the world sense the free and fun future of sake.

Yamahoushi is a brand emitting Rokkasen's powerful personality, making one feel the deep nature of Yamagata and the spirit of Shugendo (mountain asceticism). Reminiscent of the rugged rock faces of Mt. Kurobushi, it features a robust, solid umami and a refreshing crispness brought by pure groundwater. Its strong-willed flavor, which captures Yamagata's terroir as it is, brings a sense of unity with the earth as you drink, richly coloring the time for adults who know the essence.

Hanachiyo is a brand with the wish to be a sake that remains brilliantly in people's memory, like a flower that blooms for thousands of years. As the name suggests, it features a glorious aroma reminiscent of a garden in full bloom and a gentle, light mouthfeel that is easy for women and sake beginners to enjoy. With solid techniques backed by tradition expressed more familiarly and modernly, its quality is like a "magic of happiness" that brightly colors casual daily moments.

Mogami no Yume is the representative brand of Sato Shuzoten, capturing the rich nature and people's passion of the Mogami region. Using pure regional water and locally grown rice, its flavor brewed by traditional handwork over 300 years is the very warmth of snow country. One sip reveals a brilliance like flowers blooming after a severe winter and a powerful umami rooted in the earth, making it a bottle like a "spiritual home" that connects regional dreams and hopes to tomorrow.

Tatenokawa is the flagship brand of Tatenokawa Shuzo, embodying the innovative concept of 100% Junmai Daiginjo that is rare even globally. Produced from Mt. Chokai's pure water and highly polished sake rice, its quality is silk-smooth with a glorious aroma reminiscent of fresh fruit. Pursuing the pinnacle of Japanese sake—even challenging an astonishing 1% polishing ratio—their passion and the delicate, noble flavor continue to fascinate gourmets worldwide.

Nature-H is a brand by Tatenokawa Shuzo with a natural philosophy themed around "coexistence with nature." Based on high-quality 100% Junmai Daiginjo brewing, it maximizes the material's original power and transparency, achieving a pleasant lightness and refined balance. The "H" symbolizes Home and Harmony, proposing a sustainable form of Japanese sake for the next generation that brings peaceful tranquility to the drinker's heart.