Brands
Soukou
倉光 EC
Soukou is the flagship brand of Soukou Shuzo, a traditional sake bearing the brewery's name. Brewed in the urban heart of Oita City, it stays true to time-honored methods, resulting in a mellow and easy-drinking character. As a beloved everyday sake among locals, it maintains an approachable quality that complements the daily dining table.
Tatsu no I
龍の井Tatsu no I is the flagship brand of Kubo Shuzo, inheriting the history of a brewery founded in 1789 (Kansei 1). The brewery is located within the grounds of Kifune Shrine, which enshrines the water deity Ryujin (Dragon God), and the brand name 'Tatsu no I' (Dragon's Well) was born from this Ryujin faith. Using subterranean water from the Yakkan River, the sake is brewed in a water-blessed environment, carrying on over 200 years of traditional techniques on the sacred grounds of Kifune Shrine. Characterized by a mildly sweet flavor, it embodies the light and gently sweet style distinctive to Oita Prefecture. Its mellow mouthfeel and beautifully sweet finish are pleasant and easy to drink without tiring. It pairs well with Oita's seafood, and is particularly recommended with sashimi and sushi. This brand expresses the terroir of Usa, harmonizing with the local food culture.
Hanae
華えHanae is an elegant brand produced by Kubo Shuzo. As its name suggests ('Hana' meaning flower or splendor), it is a sake that pursues a gorgeous yet gentle flavor. The brewing draws on Kubo Shuzo's expertise in both sake and shochu production, fusing traditional methods with a modern sensibility in its flavor design. With a light and mildly sweet profile that reflects the terroir of Usa, it is cherished as a special bottle that graces the table on memorable occasions.
Monju
文殊Monju is a brand named after Monju Bosatsu (Manjushri Bodhisattva), the Buddhist deity of wisdom and learning, and is cherished locally as a symbol of knowledge. Crafted with Kubo Shuzo's traditional techniques and careful brewing, it features a mellow and gentle flavor. Favored at celebrations and gatherings wishing for academic success, it is beloved as a brand rooted in the region's culture and faith.
Toyomusume
豊娘Toyomusume is a brand of Usa Shurui, bearing a name that expresses the abundant harvest of the Usa Plain. Using locally grown Usa rice, the brewery practices sake-making suited to the climate and terroir of Usa. Characterized by a mellow, easy-to-drink flavor that harnesses the blessings of the fertile Usa Plain, it features a light and refined sake quality that harmonizes with local food culture, and is beloved as an approachable Japanese sake that complements the everyday dining table.
Isao no Matsu
勲の松Isao no Matsu is positioned as a brand representing the tradition of Komatsu Shuzo Jo. Inheriting the history of a brewery founded in 1868, it is an orthodox Japanese sake brewed with traditional methods. Characterized by a well-balanced flavor that complements the food culture of local Usa, it maintains an approachable sake quality suited for everyday evening drinks.
Oita Fuku
大分福Oita Fuku, marketed as "Oita Mitsui Oita Fuku," is a special brand using the revived Oita Prefecture heritage rice variety Oita Mitsui. It is the culmination of a historic project that restored the phantom sake rice Oita Mitsui from a handful of seed grains after it had disappeared. By brewing with this precious sake rice, the brewery revives a lost flavor of Oita for the modern era. Characterized by a refreshing mouthfeel and a clean, crisp finish that expresses the terroir of Oita, the brand attracts attention as an embodiment of Oita's sake culture history, combining the narrative of a revived phantom sake rice with excellent flavor.
Yoizakura
酔桜Yoizakura is a brand of Emoto Shoten, cherished as a sake to enjoy while admiring cherry blossoms. Characterized by a gorgeous yet gentle flavor suited for spring banquets, it is beloved locally as a cherry blossom viewing sake. Like cherry blossoms themselves, beautiful and ephemeral, it is a Japanese sake expressing a delicate flavor that evokes the passage of seasons.
Mincho
民潮Mincho is a brand of Mincho Shuho, a Japanese sake particularly acclaimed for its daiginjo. The luxurious daiginjo, made with Yamada Nishiki polished to a 35% rice polishing ratio, is characterized by gorgeous aromas and delicate flavors. With an alcohol content of 16-17%, it achieves an elegant mouthfeel. Beloved by local people, it is treasured as a sake for celebrations and special occasions.
Usa Nishiki
宇佐錦Usa Nishiki is a brand of Oita Meijo, expressing local pride as a representative Japanese sake of the Usa region. Through sake-making that leverages Usa's rich natural environment and historical heritage, it pursues a flavor that harmonizes with local food culture. Characterized by a mellow and easy-to-drink sake quality, it is beloved across a wide range of occasions from everyday evening drinks to celebrations.
Banzai Matsu
萬歳松Banzai Matsu is a brand of Oita Meijo, cherished for its auspicious name. Often used for celebrations and festive occasions, it is treasured as a Japanese sake that adorns joyous gatherings. Characterized by a gorgeous yet composed flavor, it is a brand beloved across generations.
Futabayama
双葉山Futabayama is a proud brand of Oita Meijo, bearing the name of the great sumo yokozuna Futabayama. It is presented as a Japanese sake expressing strength and dignity. The honjozo "Shiho Futabayama" has a 70% rice polishing ratio and 15-16% alcohol, characterized by sweet rice aromas along with notes of candy, syrup, and caramel. While having a light-bodied medium palate with a mellow mouthfeel, it harmonizes soft umami with lively acidity. The finish reveals a dry impression with pronounced bitterness, delivering a flavor that combines power and delicacy. It is a Japanese sake with a stately presence befitting the achievements of Yokozuna Futabayama.
Choukainoshizuku
鳥海の雫Imori Dani
イモリ谷Imori Dani is one of Nakano Shuzo's special brands, a Japanese sake expressing the rich natural environment of the Kunisaki Peninsula. Using the pure water of Kitsuki and carefully selected rice, it is meticulously brewed with Nakano Shuzo's traditional techniques. It is characterized by a distinctive flavor that leverages the regional terroir.
Kunisaki Sennen Monogatari
国東千年物語Kunisaki Sennen Monogatari is a special brand expressing over a thousand years of history and culture of the Kunisaki Peninsula. Brewed with a fusion of traditional methods and modern techniques, it evokes the eternal history of the Kunisaki Peninsula, a sacred land of the Rokugo Mangan culture. Characterized by a deep flavor and elegant aroma, it is a distinguished Japanese sake befitting gifts and anniversaries on special occasions.
Chiebijin
智恵美人Chiebijin (kanji) is a traditional brand of Nakano Shuzo since its founding, a distinguished Japanese sake bearing the name of the first proprietress "Chie." Brewed for local distribution, Chiebijin (kanji) is characterized by a sake quality that emphasizes sweetness and umami to pair with local ingredients. It boasts the finest compatibility with Kitsuki's regional cuisine and continues to be loved by local people. Brewed with care using the sacred water of Rokugo Mangan and locally grown rice, it preserves traditional methods passed down since the brewery's founding in 1874.
Matsu no Tsuyu
松乃露Matsu no Tsuyu is a brand from Yano Shuzo Jo, brewed using a pure method that draws out only the natural sweetness of rice without adding any sugar. Upholding the belief that all sweetness comes from rice, the freshly pressed unpasteurized sake features a refreshing taste when chilled. The natural sweetness of rice harmonizes with a clear, clean sake quality. Its pure, unadulterated flavor pairs exceptionally well with dishes that highlight the quality of their ingredients.
Kuragokoro
蔵心Kuragokoro is a brand from Yano Shuzo Jo, expressing the heartfelt dedication of the brewery's craftsmen in their sake making. Practicing brewing that values traditional techniques and sincerity, it is characterized by high quality achieved through meticulous handcrafting. Cherishing the inherent flavor of rice, it is beloved as an honest and gentle sake.
Shinra Bansho
森羅万象Shinra Bansho is a brand crafted by Yano Shuzo Jo, bearing a grand name that represents all existence and phenomena in the universe. Expressing sake brewing in harmony with nature, it is presented as a sake born from the rich natural environment of Kunisaki. Characterized by profound flavor and a lingering, expansive finish, it is a sake that evokes the workings of nature.
KUNISAKI
KUNISAKIKUNISAKI is a modern brand by Kayashima Shuzo that expresses the charm of the Kunisaki Peninsula. While preserving traditional handcrafting techniques, it pursues flavors that complement contemporary food culture. Using soft water from the Futago mountain range and carefully selected sake rice, it is characterized by a sake quality that values the harmony of five tastes.
Sensanbyakunen no Inori
千三百年の祈りSensanbyakunen no Inori is a special brand paying homage to the 1,300-year history of the Rokugo Manzan Buddhist culture that lives on in the Kunisaki Peninsula. Expressing the spirituality of the Kunisaki Peninsula, which flourished as a sacred site of syncretistic Shinto-Buddhist worship, it is a prestigious sake brewed with pure water from the Futago mountain range and carefully selected rice. Characterized by deep flavor and elegant aroma, it is also popular as a gift imbued with special prayers and wishes.
USUKI
USUKIUSUKI is a Tokubetsu Junmai unfiltered raw sake bearing the name of Usuki City, certified as an 'Usuki Brand' local specialty. Using 100% rice grown in Usuki City, it expresses the inherent umami and strength of rice as an unfiltered raw sake. Fresh and vibrant aromas harmonize with robust rice umami, creating an exquisite pairing with the fresh seafood of the Bungo Channel.
Nagori Yuki
なごり雪Nagori Yuki is an emotionally rich brand by Kuge Honten that expresses the transition of seasons. Using the clear water of Usuki and rice from Oita Prefecture, it is characterized by a delicate and gentle mouthfeel like light spring snow. With elegant aroma and mellow flavor, it is popular as a food sake that harmonizes with seasonal cuisine throughout the year.
Sorin
宗麟Sorin is a brand produced by Kotegawa Shuzo, named after the Christian daimyo Otomo Sorin. It was named by the writer Nogami Yaeko, whose birthplace is this brewery. The undiluted sake has a high alcohol content of 19%, with a richness reminiscent of shochu. It offers a rich sweetness like butterscotch candy, a smooth mouthfeel, and a fine, full-bodied umami. With a unique flavor that crosses the boundary between sake and shochu, it is also characterized by aging in traditional jar storage. An innovative sake that is also recommended to be enjoyed on the rocks.
Notsuingawa
野津院川Notsuingawa is a brand of Fujii Shuzo, named after the clear stream of the Notsu River that flows through Notsu Town. As a sake that expresses the local natural environment, it is characterized by a transparent flavor reminiscent of pure water. It is beloved for its gentle, mild sake quality that harmonizes with the climate and terroir of Notsu.