Brands
Manyo Bijin
Manyo Bijin is one of the brands brewed by Nakayu Shuzo Store. The name is derived from the fact that the area is associated with the Manyoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), evoking an image of a beautiful and elegant taste.
Meisousui
Meisousui is one of the brands brewed by Yamawa Shuzo Store.
Nanatsumori no Shiki
Nanatsumori no Shiki is a brand brewed by Yamawa Shuzo Store, derived from Nanatsumori, the symbol of the region. It reflects the beauty of nature in each of the four seasons in the sake.
Yamawa
Yamawa is a limited distribution series of Yamawa Shuzo Store, highly rated mainly by specialty stores as high-quality Junmai sake. Led by the 7th generation brewer and master brewer (Toji) Daisuke Ito, it is brewed with careful preparation that returns to manual work as much as possible, from washing rice to pressing. Using underflow water from the Funagata Mountains and sake rice produced in Miyagi Prefecture (Kura no Hana, Gin no Iroha, Miyama Nishiki), it features sake brewing that values the basics and is not swayed by trends, under the concept of "Simple is best."
Washigakuni
Washigakuni is the flagship brand of Yamawa Shuzo Store, boasting deep-rooted popularity locally. The name, meaning "My Country" (Our Country), embodies the pride of being a local sake rooted in the region.
Yuho Machizake
Yuho Machizake is one of the brands brewed by Yamawa Shuzo Store. It evokes a line from a Chinese poem, "Having a friend come from afar," bringing to mind the scene of having sake while waiting for a friend of sharing sake with a friend.
Manatsuru
Manatsuru is the representative brand of Tanaka Shuzo Store. Using traditional Kimoto and Yamahai brewing methods, they insist on handmade production, such as koji making with kojibuta for all quantities, steaming rice in koshiki, and yeast starter making with cedar heating barrels. Characterized by moderate acidity, a firm taste, and a thick finish, it is a brand that aims for a sake quality with a strong presence.
Denrin
Denrin is one of the brands brewed by Tanaka Shuzo Store, derived from the brewer's name.
Mori no Kikukawa
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."
Moritami
Moritami is a brand brewed by Moritami Shuzo Honke, a traditional brand bearing the brewer's name.
Hozan
Hozan is a brand that was brewed by Hozan Shuzo. It is not currently produced due to the brewery's closure.
Urakasumi
Urakasumi is the representative brand of Saura and one of the leading brands of Miyagi Prefecture. The name is derived from the beautiful mist (kasumi) of Matsushima Bay, and it is widely loved as a local sake brewed in Shiogama. Based on a light and dry (tanrei karakuchi) profile, it has an excellent balance of rice umami and sharpness, and is highly rated as a sake to accompany meals (shokuchushu) that goes well with Japanese food in general. Using Miyagi Prefecture rice such as "Kura no Hana" and "Sasanishiki," they practice sake brewing that focuses on local water and rice. In particular, Junmai and Junmai Ginjo have a light yet deep flavor, characterized by a depth that allows them to be enjoyed at a wide range of temperatures, from cold to warm sake. The compatibility with seafood from Matsushima Bay is outstanding, and it demonstrates its true value in pairing with seafood from Sanriku. Also known as the brand where Kyokai No. 12 Yeast (Hirano Yeast) originated, "Urakasumi Zen," created by the outstanding skills of Honorary Toji Juichi Hirano, is a historical brand that brought about the tanrei karakuchi boom in the post-war sake world. Winning numerous top prizes at the National New Sake Appraisal, it pioneered the Ginjo and local sake booms and has been a driving force in the sake culture of Miyagi and Japan.
Fukugama Masamune
Fukugama Masamune is a brand of Kojiya Shuzo Store, loved mainly locally as a local sake of Shiogama. Currently, brewing is commissioned to Niizawa Sake Brewery, and they continue sake brewing rooted in the region with limited distribution.
Shiogama
Shiogama is a brand that bears the name of the place Shiogama as it is, and is a community-based sake brewed by Kojiya Shuzo Store. With a sake quality that reflects the climate and food culture of Shiogama, it is sold mainly at local liquor stores.
Shiki no Matsushima
Shiki no Matsushima is one of the representative brands of Abekan Shuzo Store, expressing the beauty of Matsushima in each of the four seasons. Centering on Ginjo types, it is characterized by a gorgeous aroma and clean sake quality. Designed considering compatibility with seafood from Shiogama and Matsushima, it has an elegant taste that enhances fish dishes. When enjoyed chilled, its delicate aroma and refreshing sharpness stand out, making it an excellent match for raw fish dishes such as sushi and sashimi.
Omotaka Otokoyama
Omotaka Otokoyama is a traditional brand of Abekan Shuzo Store, loved as a standard sake centered on Honjozo. Designed as a sake to accompany meals suited to Shiogama's seafood, it features a balance of a refreshing mouthfeel and moderate umami. It has a breadth that can be enjoyed both cold and warm, and is loved locally as an everyday local sake that enriches the daily dining table.
Abekan
Abekan is the flagship brand bearing the brewer's name, centered on Junmai Karakuchi (dry pure rice sake). While inheriting the tradition of brewing for over 300 years in the port town of Shiogama, they pursue a clean and savory sake quality that suits the modern dining table. Typical of Shiogama, where many local sushi restaurants line the streets, it is designed as "sake that makes local fish delicious," considering compatibility with fish dishes first. Its refreshing sharpness and moderate acidity enhance the umami of the fish, providing a refreshing sensation that cleanly washes away oils.
Jurei
Jurei is an aged sake series developed by Ishikawa Shuzo Store, featuring 3-year and 5-year aged Junmai Ginjo. Through long-term aging, the umami of the rice is concentrated, characterized by a mellow and deep flavor. You can enjoy the unique aroma created by aging and the complex flavor cultivated over time.
Kitakamigawa
Kitakamigawa is the representative brand of Ishikawa Shuzo Store, named after the Kitakami River that flows through Ishinomaki. Developing a wide lineup including Daiginjo, Ginzukuri Junmai, Junmai, and Honjozo, they aim to brew sake that accompanies the food culture of Ishinomaki with each sake quality. Although it became commissioned brewing after the earthquake, it inherits the tradition and pride as a local sake of Ishinomaki.
Suminoe
Suminoe is a brand brewed by Suminoe Shuzo in Ishinomaki, aiming for a sake quality that is "clean," "soft," and "elegant." Using excellent sake rice from various regions such as Miyagi Prefecture's Kura no Hana, Hyogo Prefecture's Yamada Nishiki, Fukui Prefecture's Gohyakumangoku, and Okayama Prefecture's Omachi, it is carefully brewed with underflow water from the Kitakami River and Miyagi yeast. Although the brewery was heavily damaged by the Tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake, they achieved reconstruction with support from all over the country and continue to brew high-quality sake. Characterized by a delicate and soft mouthfeel with elegant umami despite being light. It goes well with meals and is loved as a sake to accompany meals (shokuchushu) that enhances the seafood of Ishinomaki. Also active as a member of the DATE SEVEN project, they are transmitting the technology and individuality of Miyagi's sake brewing to the whole country.