Brands

Named after the symbol of Yokote, "Azakura Castle," this is the proud flagship brand of Azakura Shuzo. It is meticulously brewed using the traditional techniques of the Sannai Toji, combined with the natural cooling effect of heavy snowfall. The flavor profile, balancing delicate Ginjo aromas with deep umami, captures the silence and power of snowy regions, ensuring a luxurious experience.

"Nikitatsu" is the flagship brand of Minakuchi Shuzo, named after the historical event of Nikitatsu composed in the Man'yoshu. Using the characters for "benevolence (Jin)," "joy (Ki)," "many (Ta)," and "port (Tsu)," it contains the wish to be an existence like a port where people's joy gathers in abundance. The flavor designed to match the after-bath of Dogo Onsen features a refreshing throat feel and mellow umami. It is an emotionally rich fine sake that makes you feel the atmosphere of historic Dogo.

"Hatsuhinode" is the long-standing representative brand of Haneda Shuzo, named with a freshness that celebrates the beginning of a new year. Through low-temperature long-term fermentation leveraging Northern Kyoto's severe winter cold, it achieves a sophisticated, high-aroma quality without off-flavors. The umami with a clear outline unique to medium-hard water possesses a dignity that adds bright light not only to celebrations but also to daily life. As an essential presence for local traditional events and auspicious days, it is a lucky bottle that connects Keihoku's terroir and people's thoughts to the future.

"Eikun" is the signature brand of Eikun Shuzo, named in honor of Yoshinobu Tokugawa's virtue. This flavor is supported by the pristine spring water of Yui, Shizuoka, carefully selected sake rice, and the artisans' thorough rice-washing techniques. It features a calm, elegant aroma produced by Shizuoka yeast and a clean finish where the rice umami spreads gently. It boasts high perfection as a 'food-pairing sake' that complements dishes without being overassertive. While preserving history and tradition, their stance of constantly pursuing clean and pure sake quality is trusted by many enthusiasts. Please enjoy a refined and refreshing drink that condenses the blessings of Yui's sea and mountains.

"Kunpeki" is a masterpiece of Kunpeki Shuzo that combines a refreshing feel like a clear blue sky with a deep umami. To reflect the radiance of the "noble blue" hidden in its name, it is born through the resonance of the soft water of the Kiso River and the artisans' handiwork. In the series using unique Sakura yeast from the Gojo River, a lovely aroma like petals and a dignified crispness coexist. It is a premium savory sake nurtured by the land of Konan, gently releasing the drinker's five senses and filling them with a calm sense of happiness.

"Buryo Togen" is the supreme brand of Naito Jozo, expressing the utopia that everyone admires. This Junmai Daiginjo, made from the finest Yamada Nishiki painstakingly polished to 40% and brewed with the clear subsoil water of the Kiso Sansen, is truly a "Shangri-La appeared on earth." Its gorgeous and elegant aroma and smooth flavor without any impurities bring a joy that makes you feel as if you are invited to a sen-kyo (abode of wizards) where peach blossoms bloom in full glory. It is a noble and delicate masterpiece that colors special days.

"Kanchiku" is the representative brand of Totsuka Shuzoten. It is named after the bamboo that maintains its green leaves and stands dignified even in the severe cold of winter. It is characterized by a sharp, dry taste and a refreshing aroma, making it ideal as a mealtime sake that complements dishes.

Sanzen is a sake brewed by Kikuchi Shuzo in Tamashima, Kurashiki, with a brand name meaning 'brilliantly shining.' While preserving traditional sake-making in the Tamashima area, the brewery carefully crafts its sake utilizing the techniques of Bitchu toji master brewers. Using rice nurtured in the warm climate near the Seto Inland Sea and high-quality local water, the sake is finished with a gentle, easy-to-drink flavor. As a brand cherished by locals, it pairs well with Seto Inland Sea seafood and regional cuisine, and can be widely enjoyed from everyday meals to special occasions.

"Hamafukutsuru" is the representative brand bearing the brewery's name, embodying the brewing specialized in Ginjo sake. Attached with a tour and experience facility called Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Workshop, it is known as a brewery specializing in the production of premium Ginjo sake. It is a brand gathering the essence of Nada's brewing technology, characterized by mellow and sophisticated Ginjo aroma and elegant taste.

"Ippin" is the representative brand of Yoshikubo Shuzo, brewed with famous water related to the Mito domain. As the name suggests, it was named with the aim of being an "Ippin (One Item/Masterpiece)" sticking to quality. The dry and clear refreshing taste goes perfectly with local dishes. It has been highly evaluated in domestic and international competitions and is widely familiar as a local sake representing Mito.

Chojasakari is a major historical brand of Niigata Meijo, named with the wish that 'everything prospers like a Choja (wealthy person) and auspicious events happen frequently.' As the name suggests, it has long been valued as a sake for celebrations and milestone events in the region. Nurtured by the severe cold of the snow country, Ojiya, it features a clean and light flavor while being carefully crafted to have a moderate umami and richness. The depth that one never tires of and harmonizes with any dish is truly the dignity of a 'Choja.' It is an auspicious sake that continues to stay close to people's happy moments.

The representative brand bearing the brewery name, aiming for "clean sake" that one does not get tired of drinking under the philosophy of "Bishu Densho." It is characterized by drinkability that goes down smoothly without catching on the tongue or nose, and has excellent compatibility with Sanriku seafood. Having achieved reconstruction from the earthquake disaster, the sake brewed in the new brewery in Ofunato is filled with the strength of overcoming difficulties and hope for the future.

Utashiro is an up-and-coming brand created by the new system of Tenryohai Shuzo as a 'flagship brand for the era to come.' The brand name is derived from a place name that once existed in Sado, containing a determination to connect history to the future. Its greatest feature is its amazingly beautiful transparency. By thoroughly eliminating miscellaneous tastes, the pure umami of rice, fruity acidity, and pleasant sweetness coexist in perfect balance. If you take a sip, you will roll your eyes at its freshness and want the next glass. It is a next-generation sake that nestles most in today's sophisticated food culture, condensing Tenryohai Shuzo's passion and philosophy.

"Kanoizumi" is a traditional brand of Takeuchi Shuzo that has been loved locally for over 150 years since its founding. Inheriting the mellow and fragrant taste once praised as "The silent sake." It features a clear mouthfeel like the clean water nurtured by the nature of Ishibe. It is a proud local sake that has nestled close to the joys and sorrows of local people and continued to color daily dining tables.

Carrying the wish for "good sake that sells like it's flying," Hiraizumi is the flagship brand representing over 500 years of the brewery's legacy. Its signature is the powerful structure drawn from "Yamahai" brewing, concentrated umami that maximizes rice potential, and a beautiful acidity that stimulates the appetite. Crafted with Akita's harsh winters and traditional skills, this sake maintains its dignity whether served warm or chilled—a masterpiece that embodies the spirit of "learning from the past to create the new."

"Tsukiyoshino" is a tasteful brand named after the scenery at the time of its founding, where cherry blossoms danced on a beautiful moonlit night. Brewed for the first time in 50 years, it contains the delicate sensibility unique to a female Toji and the warmth of handmade brewing. With a refreshing and healing taste free of off-flavors, the new Yamahai brewing using plant-based lactic acid bacteria is also attracting attention.

"Chikumanishiki" is one of the brands representing Nagano Prefecture and is the main brand of Chikumanishiki Shuzo. Using the clear water of the Chikuma River and rice grown in the cold climate, it is attractive for its taste where you can feel the umami of rice within a sharp dry taste. It is easy to match with any dish and is useful in a wide range of situations, from daily evening drinks to banquets.

"Fukugokoro" is a brand with a history of more than 140 years, brewed by Shiina Shuzoten, founded in 1877 (10th year of Meiji). In an environment surrounded by the mountains of Okukuji in Juo-machi Takahara, Hitachi City, they continue careful handmade brewing through small-scale production. The brand name was coined by taking one character each from the names of the founder, Tomizo, and the mother of the 4th generation, Wakuri, with the wish for "sake brewed with heart (Gokoro)." The philosophy of sake brewing with family bonds and sincerity resides in the name. Using fresh spring water that gushes from the brewery's premises as brewing water, it features a fruity aroma, the umami of rice, and a delicate and simple taste. It is a rare local sake that has been carefully nurtured by local people, with almost all production consumed within Ibaraki Prefecture.

Kubota is a monumental brand of Asahi Shuzo that has revolutionized Japanese sake brewing since its birth in 1985. It is also the leader that established the 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry) style, which was innovative at the time, and made the name of Niigata sake known to the world. Its charm lies above all in the 'ultimate drinking comfort that never tires the drinker.' In addition to the traditional lineup such as Manju, Senju, and Hyakuju, its stance of never stopping evolution while staying close to the changes of the times, such as Junmai Daiginjo and sparkling sakes tailored to modern food scenes, is supported. While maximizing the umami of rice, the sharpness at the moment it passes through the throat is vivid. From daily meals to special anniversaries, it is an eternal classic of sake that softly stays close in any scene and richly colors the dining table.

Tsuru no Tomo (Companion of the Crane) is the proud representative brand of Hiki Shuzo, a famous sake that has nestled in the lives of Niigata people from celebrations to everyday moments. 'Tsuru' (Crane) symbolizes longevity and happiness, and 'Tomo' (Companion/Friend) symbolizes the bonds and warm relationships between people, containing the wish for happiness to come to the drinker. While protecting the 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry) style which is the tradition of Niigata sake, it is characterized by the coexistence of the original glossy umami of rice and a clear sharp finish that passes through the throat smoothly. Its appearance, which elegantly enhances the taste of dishes without asserting itself too much, is exactly like a sincere and reliable 'Friend.' It is a bottle where you can enjoy the elegance and warmth that authentic sake has, which does not fade over time.

"Kuji no Yama" is a brand that symbolizes history and tradition, brewed for over 400 years by Nemoto Shuzo, founded in 1603. The name embodies respect for the grand nature of Okukuji and the wish for unwavering quality. It is created through the trinity of the "Goshinsui" (sacred water) of Komagata Shrine, which is famous as excellent water, carefully selected sake rice nurtured by the fertile land, and the skills of master brewers. Featuring a crisp mouthfeel with rich umami spreading through (Danrei Karakuchi), it has colored the banquets and daily moments of local people for many years. It is a masterpiece with tradition and prestige that tells the history of sake brewing in Ibaraki.

Hokusetsu is the flagship brand that most purely embodies the spirit of Hokusetsu Shuzo. Aiming for harmony between 'Sado's nature, water, rice, and people,' it boasts a diverse lineup from traditional Daiginjo to innovative products using centrifugal separators. In particular, 'Daiginjo YK35' is an ultimate bottle created by polishing Yamada Nishiki, a variety of rice suitable for sake brewing, to 35% and slowly fermenting it at low temperatures for a long time. The mellow aroma like pear or melon and the throat-feel as smooth as water give an impact enough to overturn the concept of sake. It is a brand that has firmly established its position as 'World's Hokusetsu,' having both a dignified beauty nurtured in Sado's severe winter and world-standard quality.

"Takijiman" is the main brand representing the brewery, brewed with the subsoil water of Akame 48 Waterfalls. With the motto "We cannot make sake that 100 people drink and 100 people say is delicious, but we can make sake that 100 people drink and 100 people are surprised by," they pursue quality-oriented sake brewing. A talented sake with many awards in global contests and served at the Ise-Shima Summit. The clear and transparent taste and balanced umami continue to fascinate drinkers.