Brands

"Yachihoko" is a historic brand derived from the alias of Okuninushi no Okami, and was once dedicated as sacred sake to Izumo Taisha Shrine. Asahi Shuzo continues to carefully protect this brand inherited from Furukawa Shuzo. It features a pure and solemn taste that makes you feel the sacred atmosphere of Izumo. It is a bottle that makes you feel the pride of Izumo, which is appreciated at celebratory seats and as a gift for loved ones.

"Awayukijitate" is an active cloudy sake (nigori sake) that is white and cloudy like light snow, as the name suggests. It features fine bubbles due to secondary fermentation in the bottle and a thick mouthfeel. The sweetness and acidity of rice are exquisitely harmonized, and you can enjoy a creamy and rich taste. It is recommended to drink it well chilled or on the rocks. It is a taste that is friendly to women and sake beginners.

"Izumodayori" is a popular brand as a souvenir that you can easily enjoy, like a letter conveying memories of a trip to Izumo. It features a cute label design and a drink-up size bottle. The taste is authentic, and you can enjoy the firm umami of rice typical of Asahi Shuzo. While immersing yourself in the afterglow of your trip, or as a small gift for a friend, it is a bottle that conveys the charm of Izumo.

"Sakabun" is a brand developed as daily sake that can be enjoyed at an affordable price from the desire to spread sake culture. They pursue a taste that you will not get tired of, nestling up to daily evening drinks. It is delicious whether cold or hot, and goes perfectly with home cooking. It is the standard taste of Asahi Shuzo that you can enjoy without pretension.

"Fuuun Kenkiden Tange Ukon" is a unique brand born from a collaboration with Ken Ishikawa, a manga artist from Oda City. Characters from his representative works are drawn on the label, expressing a powerful and unique worldview. The contents are Junmai Ginjo sake using the phantom sake rice "Kairyo Hattan Nagare." It is a bottle coveted by fans where you can enjoy firm umami of rice and sharp taste that is not defeated by the impact of appearance.

This "Emotion" sake was central to Fukurokuju Shuzo as part of the first NEXT FIVE series, expressing passion through collaboration. It blends the techniques and creativity of five young brewers, carrying a strong will to lead the future of Akita sake. The balance between traditional methods and modern sensibility is exquisite, marking it as a monument to the project's vision.

"Rika" is a brand created by female Toji, Rika Asano, naming it after herself and pursuing the sake she really wants to drink. Maximizing the potential of "Kairyo Hattan Nagare," she realized a taste where fresh and fruity acidity and pure sweetness of rice harmonize. With lightness and ease of drinking that overturns the image of conventional sake, it has gained high support from sake beginners and women.

"Rafusen" is the representative brand of Kimura Shuzo, named after the word meaning "spirit of plum" in Chinese legend. They aim for a pure and elegant taste like plum blossoms blooming ahead of hundreds of flowers in the severe cold. It features a mellow aroma, a soft umami that spreads in the mouth, and a good aftertaste. It is a gentle sake that can be enjoyed widely from cold sake to hot sake and soothes the drinker's heart.

"Miyakonishiki" is the main brand of Miyakonishiki Shuzo, which has been loved by locals since its founding. It was named with the aim of being "sake as gorgeous and beautiful as the capital." It features a mellow aroma unique to Junmai sake and a rich taste with concentrated umami of rice. You can enjoy it crisply with cold sake, or immerse yourself in the plump aftertaste with hot sake. It is a nostalgic and reassuring taste that can be enjoyed in any situation.

"Kamofuku" is a brand that can be said to be the origin of Kamofuku Shuzo, which has been loved by locals since its founding. It is derived from the auspicious name "Receiving the fortune of Kamo Shrine." The taste, carefully brewed using local rice and water, is gentle and does not get tired of drinking, nestling up to daily life. It is a bottle rooted in the local area, served at celebrations and local gatherings.

"Waruno Daikan" (Evil Magistrate) is a Junmai Ginjo sake with eye-catching unique naming inspired by villains in historical dramas. Although it is a humorous concept of "Please drink with a face when you are thinking of something bad," the content is authentic using high-quality Kairyo Hattan Nagare. It is an adult taste accented with a gorgeous aroma and a little bitterness. You can enjoy the gap between appearance and taste, and it is a bottle with outstanding topicality for gifts.

"Shinigami" (Reaper) is a unique brand that prides itself on having the "most unlucky name in Japan" and instantly raised the profile of Kamofuku Shuzo. Based on the concept of "making sake that is the completel opposite of modern trends," it features an amber color like old sake, a unique aged aroma reminiscent of sherry or Shaoxing wine, and rich sweetness and umami. Its strong individuality, which is said to be "unforgettable once you drink it," has created enthusiastic fans. Please enjoy its deep taste on the rocks or as hot sake.

"Tamazakura" is the main brand of Tamazakura Shuzo, which is loved locally and also respected by sake connoisseurs nationwide. Based on the concept of "sake that tastes even better when heated," it features a plump aroma and deep richness unique to completely fermented Junmai sake. It is crisp when cold, but when warmed, the sweetness and umami of rice spread gently, offering a comforting taste that warms you from the core of your body. It is a relaxing cup indispensable for every night's drink.

"Mitsuzakura" is the representative brand that was brewed by Mitsuzakura Shuzo. It has been loved as local sake nurtured by the climate of Hamada. Although it may be rarely seen in the market now, its taste remains in the memories of many people.

As the finale of the first NEXT FIVE series, this sake led by Yamamoto Group is named "Shangri-la" after the mythical earthly paradise. It marks the culmination of the joint project, representing the fruits of shared knowledge and experience between the five breweries. A symbol of new possibilities for Akita sake, it features a rich and profound taste worthy of the project's grand achievement.

"Kikuyasaka" is the flagship brand of Okadaya Honten, embodying the wish for "Japan's prosperity (iyasaka)." Brewed carefully using local sake rice, it is characterized by a gentle aroma and a sharp aftertaste. For many years, it has accompanied the life milestones of the people of Masuda, such as regional celebrations and community gatherings. It is a bottle of reliable quality, benefiting from shochu-making techniques that utilize local specialties in addition to traditional sake brewing.

"Kinkan Shiragiku" is a brand that was once brewed at Nakahara Shuzo in Masuda City. It has a history of adorning local dining tables and being loved by many people. Although it is now a rare existence, it was brewed with the aim of a pure and dignified taste like a white chrysanthemum (shiragiku), as its name suggests. It is a memorable brand that conveys the history of brewing in Masuda to the present.

"Fusouduru" is the flagship brand of Kuwabara Sakaba, carrying the names "Tsuru" (crane), a symbol of longevity, and "Fusou," an alias for Japan. Using the clear water of the Takatsu River and in-house polished sake rice from Shimane Prefecture, it is committed to all-Junmai brewing. Its taste, which suppresses flashy aromas and maximizes the original umami of the rice, is truly an ideal food-pairing sake. It demonstrates its true value even more at room temperature or warmed, and is a warm sake that richly colors daily meals.

"Ou" is Junmai Daiginjo positioned at the highest peak of Oroku Shuzo, bearing a name derived from the Kunibiki myth of Izumo no Kuni Fudoki. It contains the desire for "sake brewing rooted in this land where gods gather." The taste, which is brewed slowly at low temperature by polishing carefully selected sake rice to the limit, is delicate and solemn. The serene aroma and the deep and clear umami that spreads in the mouth are full of elegance that symbolizes Izumo, the village of myths.

"Takemichi" is a Junmai Ginjo sake named after the 6th generation brewery owner, Takemichi Ishihara, who poured his passion into every process. History began with a tank that he brewed alone for the first time with the permission of the chief brewer. It uses Yamada Nishiki grown by contract farmers in the local Kamiiyo district of Higashiizumo-cho. It is a bottle that embodies the "now" of Oroku Shuzo, with an exquisite harmony of powerful rice umami full of wildness and fresh acidity.

"Oroku" is a brand that can be said to be the soul of Oroku Shuzo, inheriting the tradition since its founding. It contains the wish to be "the king of sake that emits golden brilliance (Roku)." The freshness unique to unfiltered raw sake and the mellowness due to aging coexist. Its strong taste with a core, which you will never get tired of drinking, keeps fascinating many local sake fans.

"Kamiasobi" is the representative brand of Taisha Masamune Jozo, brewed at the foot of Izumo Taisha Shrine. The name evokes the image of gods playing happily, making you feel the romance of Izumo, the land of myths. It features a refreshing mouthfeel and a plump umami of rice. It is an emotional bottle that you want to taste while remembering your trip to Izumo or thinking about the gods.

"Kinmon Yakumo" is the representative brand brewed by Tachibana Shuzojo. The name, which reminds us of the pillow word of Izumo, "Yakumo Tatsu," makes us feel the climate and history of Izumo. It is local sake with a comforting taste that has been loved locally.

As the historic first release of NEXT FIVE, led by Aramasa Shuzo, this sake symbolizes the "beginning" of the project. It is a landmark bottle that gathers the skills and ideals of five breweries, born with a fierce determination to lead Akita's next generation. Representing the innovative journey of collaboration proposed by Yusuke Sato, it is a legendary monument in the Akita sake world.

"Izumo Chiyozuru" is the flagship brand of Matsumoto Shuzo, brewed in the nature-rich environment of Izumo. Bearing the name "Tsuru" (crane), which wishes for longevity and prosperity that lasts for a thousand generations (chiyo), it has been loved by locals for many years. Despite being small-scale, they are particular about careful brewing, and its taste is characterized by a well-balanced harmony of rice sweetness and a clean finish. It is a bottle deeply rooted in the local area, indispensable for regional gatherings and dining tables.