Brands
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.
Chiebijin
ちえびじん ECChiebijin is a brand developed by Nakano Shuzo as a Japanese sake that embraces modern food culture. Characterized by a smooth mouthfeel and soft, fruity flavor, it is designed to emphasize "palate aroma over nose aroma" - while the rising aroma is restrained, a soft and fruity ginjo fragrance unfolds upon sipping. It pursues a balance of acidity and umami that pairs not only with Japanese cuisine but also Western and Chinese dishes, serving as a food-pairing sake that enhances the flavor of cuisine. Even within its mellow and fruity profile, lightness on the finish is carefully crafted. Using the sacred water of Rokugo Mangan from 200 meters underground and primarily local rice, it embodies the philosophy of local production for local consumption. The brand has won multiple Platinum Awards at France's Kura Master sake competition and scored 90 Parker Points, earning high international acclaim.
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 ECChiebijin (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 ECSensanbyakunen 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.
Nishi no Seki
西の関Nishi no Seki is the flagship brand of Kayashima Shuzo, a distinguished sake named in the 1890s with the aspiration to become the representative sake of western Japan. Inheriting the tradition of winning first prize at the inaugural National Sake Competition in 1907, it pursues 'delicious sake' with harmoniously balanced five tastes (sweet, sour, dry, bitter, astringent) under the philosophy of 'A Century of Consistent Quality.' Brewed meticulously using traditional handcrafting techniques with soft water from the Futago mountain range, Hinohikari from Oita, Hattannishiki from Hiroshima, and Yamada Nishiki from Hyogo. Beloved as a quintessential Kyushu-style food sake that enhances the flavor of cuisine, the brewery also pioneered innovative initiatives such as releasing ginjo sake 'Hizo-shu' in 1963.
Kurokui
九六位Kurokui is one of the brands brewed by Kuge Honten, a sake that expresses the history and traditions of Usuki. Using Usuki's delicious water filtered through limestone layers and carefully selected rice from Oita Prefecture, it embodies regionally circular sake brewing. Pairing well with seafood from the Bungo Channel, it is characterized by flavors that complement the local food culture.
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 ECNagori 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.
Ichi no Ide
一の井手Ichi no Ide is the flagship brand of Kuge Honten, a Tokubetsu Junmai sake using 100% Wakamizu sake rice grown in Usuki City. Certified as an 'Usuki Brand' local specialty, it is characterized by well-developed rice umami and a pleasant acidity. Pairing excellently with local white-fleshed and blue-backed fish dishes, it embodies the philosophy of sake brewing rooted in the regional food culture. The mellow and deep flavor created by Usuki's delicious water filtered through limestone layers continues to be beloved by local residents.