Brands

Kihei is the flagship brand of Hiraki Shuzo, a sake named after founder Kihei Totsuka. Originating from Kihei Totsuka, who started sake brewing from his rice trade in Kakegawa (former Totomi Province), Shizuoka, the "Kihei" brand has been cultivated in Okayama since all production was consolidated in Kamogata-chō. Under the concept of "sake that tastes great with meals," it aims for a gentle, never-tiring flavor. Using Okayama-grown Omachi and Akebono rice with Yotsu-yama granite underground water, modern equipment and traditional techniques are blended to create an approachable flavor for sake beginners. Boasting top-class production volume in Okayama Prefecture, it is a brand beloved by the region.

Koshi no Homare is the flagship brand representing Niigata, polished by Hara Shuzo for over 200 years. Brewed in Kashiwazaki overlooking the Sea of Japan, it uses pure underground water from Mount Yoneyama and carefully selected Niigata-grown rice, crafted with traditional techniques. Its most distinctive feature is a flavor that is both 'Tanrei' (light) and 'Hojun' (mellow), making it impossible to grow tired of. Within its clarity, stripped of impurities, the deep inherent umami of rice resonates, further enhancing the flavor of cuisine. It is a reliable masterpiece that has comforted the hearts of locals and travelers alike for many years.

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.

The representative brand bearing the brewery name, inheriting the history born in the Taisho era by the investment of local residents. Using local rice and water, it embodies the founding philosophy of sake brewing rooted in the region. Cherishing the history as a brewery that started as a local community in Hanaizumi-cho, Ichinoseki City, it is loved by many people for its taste that snuggles up to the local food culture.

"Fudo" is a brand characterized by a rich and strong taste, mainly featuring unfiltered products without carbon filtration. Even in the case of pasteurized sake, it is pasteurized only once during bottling to maintain a fresh flavor. Brewed by hand by all employees, it pursues a sake quality with a solid personality while nestling close to modern food culture. Distribution is limited to authorized dealers, carefully delivering the particular taste.

"Nichiei" is the timeless flagship brand of Nakamura Shuzojo, embodying over 200 years of tradition and prestige. Its name, meaning 'prospering every day,' carries a wish for the daily prosperity and happiness of the drinker. Having evolved alongside Kanazawa's rich food culture, this sake features a well-balanced, full-bodied flavor profile where gentle aromas harmonize with the natural umami of rice. By actively using Ishikawa-grown sake rice, it captures the essence of the local terroir, serving as a prestigious local sake representative of Kanazawa.

"Rairaku" is a brand name derived from Confucius's Analects, "Is it not delightful to have a friend come from afar?" "Rairaku" is a symmetrical character with good luck, and because it looks the same from the back as from the front, it also implies the meaning of "no two-facedness". It is characterized by a gorgeous aroma that does not interfere when eating white fish and a umami that brings out the taste of seafood, and is designed with an emphasis on compatibility with seafood from Akashi. "Rairaku Junmai Ginjo", popular as a staple sake for everyday life, has a good balance of acidity and sweetness and is suitable for pairing with light fish dishes. There is also the "Hana Kobo" (Flower Yeast) series using flower yeast, and "Abelia Junmai Namageushu" using Abelia flower yeast is characterized by a gorgeous scent like pear and melon. It is a brand that proposes diverse tastes by combining traditional handmade methods and innovative yeast.

Yamazaru is the representative brand of Nagayama Sake Brewing released in 2002, using high-quality sake rice cultivated by the Misumi Sake Rice Group. It is an authentic Ginjo sake evaluated by the taste itself without relying on the peculiar aroma of Ginjo sake, and is characterized by a sharp taste. Sanyo-Onoda City is close to Akiyoshidai, and they use medium hard water with a hardness of 80.7 containing calcium. Although it is dry, it has a soft mouthfeel, and they try to make sake with sharpness while vividly impressing richness and umami. Making use of the goodness of sake rice, you can enjoy Yamazaru which is good cold and good warm, enjoy it in a full temperature range, and it is a highly versatile sake that matches everything from Japanese food to Italian and French. They also develop high-quality products such as Daiginjo Muroka Tobin-dori.

"Shichida" is a Junmai sake brand launched by the 6th generation brewer Kensuke Shichida, bearing his own surname. With the theme of maximizing the umami of rice grown locally in Ogi, it pursues a flavor that suits modern dining tables. A gentle and elegant aroma, impact the moment you put it in your mouth, and good sharpness coexist, creating an attractive flavor that makes you want to drink another cup.

"Kirei" is a famous sake of Saijo derived from the words "Cranes live for a thousand years, turtles live for ten thousand years", filled with wishes for longevity and prosperity. In the crisp and dry taste, you can feel a sharp throat feel and a warm umami, and it does not bore the drinker. It is a standard for evening drinks loved by the people of Hiroshima Prefecture, and it is a brand that delivers happiness and peace to the daily dining table.

Kaito Otokoyama is an orthodox brand bearing the name of the third-generation Harumasa, who rewrote history over 300 years since 1716. Polished in the severe cold of Minami-Aizu, its quality features a clear drinking profile without hesitation, perfectly harmonized with powerful rice umami. Possessing a style like a samurai unfettered by the times, it is an ultimate cup where the weight of history resides, conveying Minami-Aizu's harsh nature and traditions to the present.

Yatsushika is the flagship brand of Yatsushika Shuzo, a representative sake bearing the brewery's name. Brewed with subterranean water from the Kuju mountains and carefully selected rice, it features a well-balanced umakuchi (rich) flavor. With the versatility to be enjoyed chilled or warmed, it boasts the finest pairing with local regional cuisine.

"Kyohina" is the flagship brand named by the founder of Sakaroku Shuzo who was from Kyoto, missing his hometown. It has an elegant sound symbolizing sake brewing that fuses tradition and innovation. A gorgeous and noble aroma and mellow umami harmonize in an exquisite balance. Born from the encounter of Kyoto's elegant culture and Uchiko's climate, this sake has a beautiful and profound flavor that continues to be loved by many people across time.

"Amabuki" is a representative brand of Amabuki Shuzo brewed with flower yeast. Incorporating innovative flower yeast into traditional sake brewing, it achieves a splendid harmony of gorgeous aroma and rice umami. You can enjoy a wide variety of aromas depending on the type of flower, making it a bottle that proposes a new charm of sake.

Kunimare is the synonymous brand for crisp, dry 'Tanrei Karakuchi' sake brewed in Japan's northernmost region. It features a clear throat feel created by the pure snowmelt water of the Shokanbetsu Mountains and a balanced taste that never grows old. Combining the robustness once loved by herring fishermen with the sophistication suited for modern dining, it pairs exceptionally well with seafood dishes like fresh sashimi and sushi.

The brewery's traditional flagship since its founding, named with the character "Ryo" (嘹) to signify "receiving pure sacred sake." Deeply cherished in Maebashi, it attracts a wide range of customers with its soft, clear flavor profile derived from the Tone River's underground waters. While maintaining this classic heritage, the limited-edition series "Machida Shuzo" has recently sparked intense interest nationwide, spotlighting the innovative spirit of the 5th generation owner-couple.

The brand name "Tosa Shiragiku" was named "Shiragiku" (White Chrysanthemum) after "Kiku" (Chrysanthemum) of the founder, Kikutaro Sento. Based on the concept of "Fresh & Juicy," it pursues pleasant drinkability. It uses Kochi's sake rice "Gin no Yume," as well as Yamada Nishiki, Hattan Nishiki, Omachi, and Shizukuhime. Brewed with underground water from the Shikoku Mountains, it realizes a clear and pleasant taste that is perfect as a food sake.

"Kisoji" is the representative brand of Yukawa Shuzoten that has been loved by locals for many years. It features a thick taste that utilizes the original sweetness and umami of rice. It is a "local taste" that provides a sense of security to the drinker, accompanying seasonal meals.

"Toyonoaki" is the flagship brand of Yoneda Shuzo, symbolizing "Autumn of bountiful harvest." It features the plump umami of rice and an elegant and comfortable reverberation. As a "food sake" that does not interfere with the taste of food but rather enhances it, it has a high degree of perfection, and is widely loved in local Matsue from celebration seats to daily evening drinks. Refreshingly with cold sake, and mellow with hot sake. It is a taste that you will not get tired of drinking, showing various expressions depending on the temperature.

Hoshuku is the representative brand of Nara Toyosawa Sake Brewery, inheriting the tradition since its founding in 1868. Daiginjo Hoshuku is a rich and flavorful Daiginjo that maximizes the umami of rice by polishing Yamada Nishiki to 35% and fermenting it at low temperature for a long time, and has won the Gold Prize at the Annual Japan Sake Awards 16 times as of 2023. It is a brand that collects the best of the technology of the brewery, which is dedicated to handmade sake brewing and where 80% of the sake produced is occupied by specially designated sake of Junmai sake or higher. Developing a diverse lineup such as Junmai sake, Ginjo Shinshu Arabashiri, and Nigori sake, each boasting high quality.

"Umenishiki" is the flagship brand of Umenishiki Yamakawa, known nationwide as a famous sake representing Ehime. Based on "sake that feels good in the mouth and you never get tired of drinking," it features a flavor that harmonizes gorgeous aroma, smooth throat feel, and the umami of rice. With a wide lineup ranging from light dry to rich sweet, it is loved by many people both as sake to accompany meals and as sake to savor slowly.

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.

"Naminooto" is a flagship brand boasting over 200 years of history, named by a high-ranking priest of Mt. Hiei. With the theme of "Drinking relaxation," it expresses a comfortable aftertaste that comes and goes like the ripples of Lake Biwa. Characterized by elegant sweetness and a clean finish, it is finished with a taste that you never get tired of drinking. The warm sake quality brewed with family bonds demonstrates excellent compatibility as a sake with meals.

"Wataribune" is a representative and innovative brand of Fuchu Homare, brewed by reviving the phantom sake rice "Tankan Wataribune." This rice, which is the parent line of "Yamada Nishiki," had once ceased cultivation, but the brewery revived it from a few seeds. It features a multi-layered and rich taste unique to this rice and a gorgeous aroma like fruit. Highly evaluated both in Japan and overseas, it is a one-and-only gem that makes you feel the historical romance and terroir of sake.