Brands

"Sangu" is a brand imbued with the wish that pilgrims to Ise Jingu Shrine (Sangu guests) will enjoy it. Characterized by a taste where you can feel the firm umami of rice even within its cleanliness. It was brewed aiming to be a sake that heals the fatigue of the journey and purifies both mind and body. It is a sake that makes you feel tradition and pride, having walked along with the history of pilgrimage to Ise.

"Izankyo" (Ishan Village) is a brand named after the image of a mountain village in Iga. Characterized by a gentle and calm taste that makes you feel somewhat nostalgic. A bottle with a high degree of perfection as a daily sake that accompanies daily evening drinks. It is a sake with depth that can be enjoyed both chilled and warmed.

"Nabari Otome" (Nabari Maiden) is a pretty and graceful brand imagining the women of Nabari. A taste harmonizing fruity and gorgeous aroma with transparent sweetness. It is friendly to sake beginners and women, and is also recommended as an aperitif or dessert wine. It is a heart-fluttering cup expressing the beauty and kindness of Nabari.

"Iga Yamada Nishiki," as the name suggests, is a committed Junmai sake using 100% high-quality Yamada Nishiki from Iga. The potential of high-quality rice nurtured by the temperature difference unique to the basin was drawn out to the maximum by the skills of the brewers. Characterized by the plump umami unique to Yamada Nishiki and a sharp aftertaste. It is a talented sake where you can enjoy the expressions that change depending on the temperature range, from cold sake to warmed sake.

"Fujimasamune" was the flagship brand brewed by Heiwa Shuzo. It was imbued with the wish to be noble like Mt. Fuji, the best mountain in Japan, and to have a sharp cutting edge like Masamune. Characterized by a light and dry taste that makes the most of the rich rice and water of local Iga. It is a nostalgic taste that was loved by many local fans as a standard for evening drinks.

"Mitsukuri no Sato" was another brand representing Heiwa Shuzo, expressing the nature and climate of Iga. Derived from the old word "Mitsukuru" for "to make," it contains the feelings of the brewers who brew sake with all their heart. Characterized by the umami of rice and a gentle mouthfeel, it was loved as a sake that adds color to daily dining tables. It is a community-based brand whose name is still remembered by many people even after closing down.

"Iga no Kanbai" is a brand that combines elegance and strength, like plum blossoms blooming dignifiedly in the snow. Sake brewed slowly in the severe cold has a light yet solid taste. The refreshing throat feel and the faintly spreading aroma enhance the taste of the meal. It is a tasteful bottle that you want to enjoy while imagining the winter scene of Iga.

"Kuromatsu Okina" is an auspicious flagship brand bearing the names of pine (matsu) and old man (okina) symbolizing longevity and prosperity. A dignified taste embodying the history and tradition of Morimoto Senuemon Shoten. Ideally balanced attraction that makes you feel plump umami while being slightly dry and sharp. It is a traditional sake of Iga that is also loved for celebratory occasions and gifts.

"Mie Nishiki" is a soulful brand brewed by Toji Shohei Nakai, a former professional boxer. The lineup centers on unfiltered unpasteurized sake (Muroka Nama Genshu) which intentionally avoids filtration to leave the umami. A rich umami and acidity harmonize exquisitely, characterized by a powerful taste that hits you. It captivates fans as a sake with a strong presence that stands up well to meat dishes and seasoned dishes.

"Kunsen" is the flagship brand of Shimizu Shuzojo that takes advantage of the goodness of handmade brewing. "Kun" means merit or achievement, and "Sen" means springing water, implying the wish that efforts will bear fruit. Characterized by a mellow and gentle taste that cherishes the umami of rice. It is a heart-warming evening drink that has been loved by locals for a long time.

Maruta is a special Junmai sake brewed by Kobayashi Shuzo, positioned as one of their finest Junmai sakes. Made with 100% Hokkaido 'Ginpu' rice, it features robust rice umami and body with a crisp, dry finish. It pairs well with meat dishes and flavorful Japanese cuisine; a food-pairing sake to enjoy the rich rice profile across a wide temperature range, from chilled to warmed.

Denrin is one of the brands brewed by Tanaka Shuzo Store, derived from the brewer's name.

"Toka" (Paulownia Flower) is a refreshing and easy-to-drink brand using the clear subsoil water of the Miyagawa River. Bearing the name of the noble flower "Paulownia" also used in the emblem of the Japanese government, it pursues elegance. Perfect for enjoying chilled, it is characterized by a light throat feel and a clean refreshing aftertaste. It is a reasonable and approachable evening drink sake that adds color to daily evening drinks.

"Kazenomiya" (Wind Palace) is a brand like a pure wind, derived from "Kazahinomi-no-miya," an auxiliary sanctuary of Ise Jingu Shrine. Using subsoil water from the Miyagawa River and carefully selected sake rice, it is fermented slowly at low temperatures. A gorgeous aroma like fruit and a transparent sweetness spread in the mouth. It is highly popular as a souvenir of visiting Ise Jingu Shrine, a bottle that makes you feel the travel mood of Ise.

"Sakaya Hachibei" is the most familiar flagship brand locally, bearing the trade name of Gensaka Shuzo. Aiming for "the royal road of sake with meals that you never get tired of drinking," it is designed with an emphasis on gentle aroma and umami of rice. In particular, the Yamahai Junmai sake brewed with the revived sake rice "Ise Nishiki" has a unique acidity and richness, and demonstrates its true value when warmed. It is the local sake of Ise that boasts to the world, which was also served at the Ise-Shima Summit.

"Takasago" is a traditional brand that Kiyasho Shuzo has protected since its founding. In contrast to "Jikon," it pursues a calm and settled taste. Characterized by a modesty that quietly nestles close without interfering with the taste of the meal. It is a bottle that makes you feel the spirit of learning from the past, fusing traditional techniques and modern sensibility.

"Asajio" is a brand derived from a waka poem bestowed by Prince Shogoin-no-miya Dokan, a son of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. It imagines "clear water gushing out from where Asaji (cogongrass) grows thick." Using high-quality underground water sourced from the mountains surrounding Lake Biwa, it has a taste that conveys the warmth of handmade production. They aim for a sake to accompany meals that nestles in daily life, such that you enjoy it with a meal and realize the cup is empty before you know it.

"Mumeigura" (Nameless Brewery) is a brand where Naminooto Shuzo challenges new sake brewing not bound by preconceived notions. The name embodies the gracious will to "compete with substance rather than fame." Using traditional techniques that spare no effort, such as Yamahai brewing inherited from Noto Toji. The powerful yet delicate taste is a bottle that impresses sake connoisseurs.

"Omi no Sake nite Soro: Toast with 10,000 People" is the brand of one of the largest sake events in Shiga Prefecture, where residents toast with Shiga's local sake all at once. Started with the enactment of the "Ordinance to Promote the Dissemination of Omi's Local Sake," the public and private sectors work together to transmit the charm of local sake. On the day, people get drunk on fine sake throughout the prefecture, and a circle of smiles expands. It is a project that serves as a bridge connecting the sake culture brewed by Shiga's rich nature and people to the future.

Mori no Kikukawa is the representative brand of Moritami Shuzo Honke. As the only brewery in the old Sendai city, they use underflow water from the Hirose River and Tohoku rice centered on Miyagi Prefecture's sake rice "Kura no Hana," aiming for a sake quality that is light (tanrei) yet combines umami. Produced by traditional handmade methods following the lineage of Nanbu Toji, it is characterized by the richness inherent in sake and a mellow, flavorful taste. It is loved as a brand that embodies "urban terroir."

"Tsukinosato" is a rare, region-limited brand brewed in the temple town of Ishiyamadera, related to Murasaki Shikibu. An old-fashioned taste where the aroma of koji, gentle sweetness, and juicy acidity harmonize. Its charm lies in its versatile sake quality, which is delicious cold but increases in umami even more when warmed. It is a bottle you want to taste while thinking about the historical romance of Ishiyamadera.

"Biwako Masamune" is a brand brewed on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, as its name suggests. It features brewing that utilizes the rich natural environment surrounding Lake Biwa and the clear underground water of the Hira Mountains. They pursue a "beautiful taste" that is mellow, savory, and has a clean aftertaste. It goes perfectly with Lake Biwa fish dishes, and is a bottle where you can fully enjoy the climate of Shiga.

"Futagoza no Spica" (Spica in Gemini) is a romantic brand named after the first-magnitude star shining in the spring night sky. It embodies Fukui Yahei Shoten's spirit of challenge, cherishing tradition while exploring new tastes. It offers the excitement of looking up at the constellations and a comfortable intoxication. The label design is also beautiful, making it a sake with a shining modern sensibility, perfect for special nights or gifts.

"Okubiwako" is a brand that expresses the climate of Shin-Asahi-cho, Takashima City, located in the northernmost part of Lake Biwa. Complex and rich taste is realized by "Yamahai-jikomi," which is synonymous with Uehara Shuzo. By carefully pressing with "Wooden Bucket Tenbin-shibori," which is rare nationwide, it is finished in a clear sake quality without off-flavors. It is a robust bottle suitable for aging, reminiscent of the deep and quiet nature of Okubiwako (Deep Lake Biwa).

"Furosen" is the flagship brand of Uehara Shuzo, boasting a history of over 150 years. The auspicious name wishing for "health without aging" is derived from the artesian water gushing in the brewery. By "Yamahai-jikomi" utilizing the power of nature, it realizes rich umami and firm acidity. The unique depth and lingering finish created by careful pressing in wooden buckets fascinate many enthusiastic fans.