Brands

"Tsugaru Musume" is one of the brands in the Nakamura Kamekich product lineup.

Midaregami is a brand born from Misora Hibari's famous song about Iwaki's landmark, Shioyazaki Lighthouse. Entrusting regional cultural pride to the liquid, its charm lies in a refreshing mouthfeel that lets one feel the ocean's sentiment. It is a local sake brewing the scenes of Iwaki, familiar to both tourists and locals.

Michinoku, derived from the old name for the Tohoku region, was the flagship brand of Joban Shurui that supported the evening drinks of Iwaki's coal miners. Its taste, carefully brewed in a warm climate, was filled with respect for the hometown's nature and vitality for tomorrow. While it is no longer available due to closure, it is remembered as a proud local sake name that walked alongside Iwaki's history.

Yukan is a brand symbolizing the spirit of Miyoshi Shuzoten. The name, imbued with the will to "be courageous and crown-like," expresses the brewery's aspiration in challenging brewing under difficult warm climates. It is a local sake indispensable to the dining tables of Iwaki, the city of the sea, where a dignified core strength and enveloping kindness coexist.

Taiheizakura is a brand of peace imbued with wishes for a tranquil world. Its charm lies in the plump rice umami and transparency unique to hand-made sake produced by 100% "tank pressing." A "casual local sake" that gently colors Iwaki's dining tables, staying close to any dish and never tiring the palate even after two or three cups.

Shitokigawa is a local sake bearing the name of the clear stream flowing through southern Iwaki. It features a transparency that seems to reflect the shifting four seasons (four times) and a careful brewing where Nanbu TOJI's skills shine. A refreshing cup that lets one feel the blessings of Iwaki's rich nature, never tiring the palate.

Nakoso no Seki is a brand named after the historical landmark that became a poetic epithet (Utamakura) in the Heian period. This Junmai sake, luxuriously polished to a 55% ratio, features an apple-like fruity aroma and a mellow mouthfeel where sweetness and acidity are comfortably harmonized. A dignified local sake reminiscent of ancient scenes.

Seifuku is an auspicious brand imbued with the wish to bring "pure fortune" to the drinker. Possessing both the softness nurtured in Iwaki's warm land and a core strength that never tires the palate, it is loved as a cup that gently stays close to the regional food culture.

Shirafuji is the proud brand of Futaba Town with 300 years of history. Once on the verge of extinction due to the nuclear accident, the yeast rescued at the risk of life achieved a miraculous revival in Seattle after 12 years. Its taste, aiming for dignity like Mount Fuji, has now crossed borders and is loved worldwide as "SHIRAFUJI," conveying Fukushima's indomitable spirit.

Saburo was the flagship brand of Baba Shuzo Honten most familiar to the people of Namie Town. Its name symbolized friendliness and deep roots in the region, and its simple yet certain umami colored local dining tables. While it is no longer produced, it is remembered as a warm local sake that supported Namie's life.

Tanoshimi (written as 樂實) is a brand imbued with the brewery's wish to "make joy bear fruit." Its gentle taste born from the terroir of Namie Town, Futaba, delivered joy and satisfaction to people. Although its history was cut short by the disaster, it is a brand with a resonant name of hope that awakens memories of the hometown.

Tennozan is the flagship brand of Ueda Zenjiro Shoten. Fitting its name, which means a decisive turning point, it featured a powerful yet mellow rice umami. It is a cup symbolizing the hometown's memory that once delivered vitality and peace to Futaba's dining tables.

"Kappa Zakura" is one of the brands of Shihaizakura Shuzo and belongs to the brewery's "Shihaizakura" brand family. It is a friendly brand that values the Kappa (water imp) legend handed down in the local Toride City and regionality. Using high-quality water and carefully selected rice, it features a light and savory (tanrei umakuchi) sake quality that you will never get tired of drinking. It is attractive for its sharp aftertaste without added sugars and has been loved mainly in the local Toride City. They brew sake utilizing the abundant underground water of the Tone River and continue to protect the manufacturing method rooted in the region. As a daily sake that can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from chilled to warmed, it continues to color the local dining table.

"Fukuwarai" is a traditional brand of Urazato Shuzoten since its founding. The brand name contains the auspicious meaning of bringing smiles and good fortune, and is associated with the fun and happiness of "Fukuwarai" (a traditional Japanese New Year's game). As a brand that tells the history of Urazato Shuzoten, it has been loved locally for many years. Brewing sake utilizing the rich natural environment of Tsukuba and the underground water of Mt. Tsukuba, they pursue a taste that harmonizes with the local food culture. While inheriting the tradition since its founding, they also aim for a sake quality that suits modern tastes. Mainly in the local Tsukuba City, it is enjoyed in a wide range of situations from celebrations to daily evening drinks as an auspicious brand that calls for good luck.

"Urazato" is a new generation brand brewed by the 6th generation brewery head, Chikara Urazato. A major feature is the use of Ogawa yeast, which is known as a ginjo yeast that Ibaraki Prefecture is proud of. It has a deep and mellow taste that brings out the umami and sweetness of rice, and a gentle fruity scent reminiscent of bananas and melons unique to Ogawa yeast spreads. The young brewery head toji, Chikara Urazato, trained at breweries outside the prefecture and the National Research Institute of Brewing, and continues new challenges based on tradition. His high technical skills are evaluated, such as receiving the Nanbu Toji Association Chairman's Award, the top prize in the ginjo sake section of the Nanbu Toji Self-Brewed Sake Competition. Aiming for a sake quality different from the conventional "Kiritsukuba," he pursues sake that is more gorgeous and suits modern tastes. While making use of local Tsukuba rice and water, it is attracting attention as a brand that shows the way of local sake in a new era.

"Hitorimusume" (Only Daughter) is the representative brand of Yamanaka Shuzoten. Brewed on the banks of the Kinugawa River, this sake features a smooth mouthfeel and mellow taste due to soft water brewing. The brand name was named after the thought of "brewing sake carefully as if raising an only daughter." The sake quality created by the skills cultivated over a long history and careful brewing makes you firmly feel the umami of rice even though it is light. It is ideal as a sake during meals and is loved as a famous supporting role that enhances the taste of dishes. As a sake that continues to be loved by locals, they continue to protect unchanged quality and taste.

"Shinsen" is one of the brands brewed by Inaba Shuzo, and is a sake inheriting the tradition of the brewery which has a history as the sacred sake of Mt. Tsukuba Shrine. The brand name is associated with the gods of Mt. Tsukuba, expressing a sacred and pure image. Taking advantage of the location at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba, they brew sake using the underground water of Mt. Tsukuba that springs up on the premises. Inheriting the tradition from ancient times, they practice sake brewing deeply connected to the local natural environment. It aims for a sake quality that harmonizes with local food culture with a taste that allows you to feel the climate of Tsukuba. As a brand deeply connected to Mt. Tsukuba worship, it conveys the history and culture of the region to the present.

"Inamuraya" is a limited-run sake crafted with long-accrued techniques and careful low-temperature fermentation. To ensure quality is maintained throughout the distribution process, it is exclusively available through authorized specialty retailers. The goal is a sake that is rich and fragrant yet possesses a crisp and clean finish.

"Minanogawa" is a brand derived from the famous spot "Minanogawa" in Mt. Tsukuba, which was sung in Hyakunin Isshu. Using spring water from Mt. Tsukuba and the highest quality sake brewing rice, they insist on all-pure rice brewing where all processes are done by hand. This sake brewed by the 6th generation brewery head and female toji, Nobuko Inaba, features a delicate, gentle, and transparent taste. A gorgeous scent, elegant sweetness, and a sharp aftertaste harmonize, aiming for a sake quality that heals the drinker's heart. There is also a history of winning awards at the IWC (International Wine Challenge), and its high quality is recognized both in Japan and overseas. As a true local sake expressing the nature and history of Mt. Tsukuba, it fascinates many fans.

"Makabe" is a traditional brand brewed by Murai Jozo, derived from the historic town "Makabe" where the brewery is located. Makabe has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and it is a brand that expresses the atmospheric townscape and history. Using underground water from the Mt. Tsukuba system and carefully selected sake brewing rice, it is brewed carefully by hand. The sake matured slowly in the stone warehouse of Makabe features a mellow and deep taste. As a local sake symbolizing the history and culture of the region, it is familiar not only to locals but also to tourists visiting Makabe.

"Komei" is the representative brand of Murai Jozo, which has continued for over 300 years in Makabe. The brand name comes from "Komei Seidai" (Fair and Square), and contains the brewery's belief of facing sake brewing with a pure and correct heart. Brewed carefully with traditional skills using underground water from Mt. Tsukuba, this sake features a light, dry, and refreshing mouthfeel. The balance between the umami of rice and sharpness is exquisite, finishing in a taste that you will never tire of drinking. As a local sake indispensable for traditional events and festivals in Makabe, it is deeply rooted in the lives of locals and continues to be loved.

"Hana no I" is the representative brand of Nishioka Honten. The brand name expresses the purity of the well water on the premises and the gorgeous and beautiful sake quality like a flower. Using clear water filtered through granite created by the climate of Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa City, it is brewed carefully by the hands of craftsmen. It features a rich and mellow taste that firmly brings out the umami of rice. It has received high praise in competitions both in Japan and overseas, and has a history of winning awards such as the sake competition in France, "Kura Master." It is a bottle filled with the tradition of a historic brewery and commitment to quality.

"Kaiseki" is a brand with a magnificent scale brewed by Nishioka Honten. The name contains the wish for depth and spread like the sea that spreads beyond the century. Using underground water from Mt. Tsukuba and carefully selected rice, it is carefully charged with traditional methods. It features a solid taste and sharpness, and enhances the taste of dishes as a sake during meals. As a hidden masterpiece that has walked with the history of the brewery, it is known among sake connoisseurs. While adapting to tastes that change with the times, it continues to protect the unchanging essence.

"Seiki" is the only brand brewed by Karube Shuzoten. The brand name includes the meanings of "correct feeling" and "keeping sane," expressing their attitude of facing sake brewing sincerely and earnestly. Using clear water springing from the rich earth of Makabe, executed with old-fashioned handmade brewing, this sake features a simple yet core taste. As a sake indispensable for festivals and celebrations in local Makabe, it has been loved and familiar to the people of the region for a long time.

"Maguma" is a super dry Junmai sake brand symbolizing the challenging attitude of Raifuku Shuzo. As the name suggests, it features an impactful taste filled with hot passion and energy like magma. While being extremely dry with a sake meter value of around +18, it realizes an exquisite balance where you can firmly feel the umami of rice. By using flower yeast, a gorgeous scent drifts even within the dryness, emitting a unique personality not found elsewhere. Combined with unique naming and label design, it is a brand that has become a hot topic among sake fans. It proposes a new taste that goes beyond the framework of conventional sake.