Brands

Named after Mount Tanigawa (1,977m), one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, this brand expresses the majestic power of nature. While categorizing as a dry (karakuchi) sake, it maintains a harmonious balance with a subtle, gentle sweetness derived from the soft brewing water. With its crisp finish and excellent versatility with food, it is a sake meant to be enjoyed across a wide range of occasions.

Toyokuni is the flagship reaching the height of Toyokuni Shuzo's technical excellence, also shining with an IWC Gold Medal. The dignified aroma and refined umami produced by traditional Fune-shibori and precise warehouse management are truly artworks symbolizing the fertility of a "rich country."

Kita no Nishiki is the flagship brand of Kobayashi Shuzo, embodying the founder's determination to 'achieve success in Hokkaido.' With 100% Hokkaido-grown rice and brewed with subsoil water from the Yubari Mountains, it is a 'local sake' capturing the essence of Hokkaido. Its rich umami and depth, combined with a clean finish, make it a full-bodied dry sake that perfectly complements regional cuisine.

It is a brand name derived from an old poem, and is a representative brand of Yaegaki Sake Brewery with a history of over 350 years. With Yamada Nishiki, the famous water "Senju no Mizu" of the Hayashida River, and the technique of Kanjikomi, it realizes a sake quality with a mellow and deep umami. It features the umami of rice carefully made by the manufacturing method using the traditional Futa Koji method. While inheriting the tradition of sake brewing in the Harima region, they are making well-balanced sake incorporating modern technology.

"Tatsuriki" is the representative brand of Honda Shoten, characterized by a powerful and dynamic brand name. Using 85% Yamada Nishiki from Hyogo Prefecture's Special A District, it develops mainly Junmai sake that embodies the philosophy that "sake of rice is the taste of rice". There is a wide range of products from Tokubetsu Junmai to Junmai Daiginjo, and all are evaluated for their taste that maximizes the characteristics of Yamada Nishiki. The Daiginjo "Kome no Sasayaki" is made with the same manufacturing method even now that it has celebrated its 100th anniversary, and has gained worldwide acclaim. Due to its commitment to terroir, it uses Yamada Nishiki from different production areas such as Tojo and Yokawa properly, and also brews sake that expresses the individuality of each land.

"Koshigoi" is the flagship brand of Yoshino Shuzo. Traditional handmade production by Nanbu Toji from Iwate Prefecture, sake rice grown in Chiba Prefecture, and soft water springing from its own mountain fuse together. It is characterized by a sophisticated and sharp taste with little off-taste, and is loved as an orthodox sake that can be enjoyed with meals.

The representative brand bearing the brewery name, containing the auspicious meaning that "fortune comes." By traditional sake brewing using Kuji's groundwater and Iwate Prefecture rice, they provide a taste loved by the region. It is warm sake brewed with the wish that fortune visits everyone who drinks, sells, and brews it.

"Jinyu" is the flagship brand named after Nabedana's family precept, "People must live with benevolence and courage." While inheriting tradition from the Genroku era, it pursues a taste that nestles close to modern food culture. With the motto "Sake, People, Heart," it is carefully brewed by hand by all employees, and the balance between the original umami of rice and sharpness is exquisite. It is an orthodox sake that makes you feel the pride and evolution of a historic brewery.

Mizutoriki is the flagship brand of Kakuboshi, currently accounting for about 70% of the shipment volume. The brand name was named with the brewer's intention to "record" (Ki) the story of sake, representing the left side "Sanzui" of the kanji character "Sake" as "Mizu" (Water) and the right side "Tori" as "Tori" (Bird). With the concept of "Sake that doesn't interfere with meals and is delicious to the last drop," it is brewed as a sake accompanying meals that snuggles up to the rich seafood of Kesennuma. As a symbol of sake brewing opening up a new era for the brewery that has recovered from the Great East Japan Earthquake, it has received high praise, such as winning the Gold Prize at the National New Sake Appraisal.

"Kashiwazakari" is a historic brand representing Katayama Shuzo, founded in 1880. This sake, born from the fusion of Niigata techniques passed down through generations of brewmasters and Nikko's clear famous water "Senryosui," possesses a flavor that can be called a "treasure of Nikko." The most significant feature of Kashiwazakari is its strong commitment to "Genshu" (undiluted sake). While normal sake is adjusted for alcohol content by adding water, Kashiwazakari's Genshu is bottled exactly as it is pressed from the mash without any dilution. As a result, it has a high alcohol content of 18–20%, allowing you to directly enjoy the powerful umami and rich, supreme body of the rice. By pressing slowly over time using traditional "Fune" (presses), it achieves a smooth throat-feel and a taste free of impurities despite being a Genshu. Praised by sake fans nationwide as "unforgettable once tasted," it is the flagship brand embodying the soul of Katayama Shuzo.

Kobai is the flagship brand of the brewery, pursuing a refreshed and elegant taste like a plum blossom blooming proudly in Yonezawa's harsh winter. Through meticulous hand-crafting and time-consuming winter brewing methods, it delivers a remarkably clear texture with a sharp, refreshing finish. It is a pure expression of Yamagata's snow country, elevating the severity of nature into refined aesthetic beauty in liquid form.

"Sen no Rikyu" is a brand that symbolizes local pride and history, successfully revived in Sakai, Osaka after 44 years. Named after the great tea master Sen no Rikyu, who was born in Sakai, this sake is brewed aiming for a delicate and profound flavor that resonates with the spirit of the tea ceremony, "Wakei Seijaku" (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility). To connect the tradition of Sakai—which once boasted over 100 breweries—to the present day, it is crafted with soul at Rikyugura, which is equipped with the latest facilities. The mouthfeel is gentle, and within its clear, elegant flavor, the solid umami of rice can be felt. Its quality, which gently complements food without interfering with its taste, truly embodies the "spirit of hospitality." It is a drop representing the new era of "Sakai local sake," packing the historical atmosphere of Sakai into a bottle.

"Sanso" (Mountain Villa) is a premium line of Tsurumi Shuzo, inspired by a quiet residence in the mountains away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It pursues a clear and refined quality, like a flower blooming with dignity in serene air. The flavor, woven from the clear water of the Kiso River and carefully selected rice, brings comfort as if relaxing in a heart's hideaway. With achievements such as winning the gold medal at the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, its exceptional purity is praised by professionals, making it a masterpiece for those in the know.

"SEN" is an innovative brand by Hirose Shoten that embodies the concept of "Ippo Isshu" (one field, one sake). It is an initiative that pursues the terroir of the land to the limit by using only rice harvested from a specific single rice field. By sticking to rice from a single farmer and a single field, it purely expresses the climate and soil characteristics of that year. It has received high praise as a new style of enjoying the individuality of the "field" like wine, transcending the conventional concept of sake. It features a fruity and rich taste and sake brewing that maximizes the different expressions of rice each year.

Homare Kirin is a premium brand boasted by Kaetsu Shuzo. Among the flagship brand 'Kirin,' it is a sake full of dignity, brewed by gathering the essence of the brewery's techniques, especially pursuing 'honorable' quality. Its greatest feature is the extremely refined sake quality, finished under strict quality standards by two generations of Japanese sake appraisers, using highly polished selected rice and special yeast. The gorgeous and elegant aroma, silk-like smooth mouthfeel, and comfortable aftertaste integrate to produce a supreme moment. It is often chosen for celebratory seats, gifts for important people, or as a luxurious reward for oneself, and it is truly one of the masterpiece items of the brewery filled with pride and passion of Echigo brewers.

"Chomeisen" (Fountain of Longevity) uses groundwater from the vein flowing underground Naritasan, using medium hard water which is slightly rare for sake brewing as brewing water. This water and high-quality rice create a mealtime sake with a sharp and refreshing mouthfeel, producing a clean and light dry taste. For many years, it has been brewing sake that values the taste suitable for the region with "Nanbu Toji" from Iwate Prefecture, famous as one of the best in Japan, and it has been loved as a souvenir of Naritasan pilgrimage and as the best of all medicines.

San-ju-rokuninshu is a brand that bears the history and pride of the 36 wealthy merchants who ruled the free city of Sakata during the Sengoku period. Reflecting the spirit of "A samurai does not serve two masters," its quality is characterized by a powerful crispness and a heavy expansion where the nourishment of rice overlaps in layers. Expressing the indomitable spirit of the ancestors who protected Sakata's autonomy, its flavor is a cup full of historical romance that conveys the vestiges of the peak prosperity of "Sakai in the West, Sakata in the East."

Kirai is a brand derived from the place name 'Kirai' continuing from the Kamakura period where Tsukasagiku Shuzo is located. It contains the meaning of 'a cup of joy from the land where joy comes.' Using traditional techniques inherited by Awa Toji, selecting only local rice, it is a Junmai sake brewed only with rice and koji. Through careful brewing without sparing effort, the original umami and deep taste of rice are brought out. There are also products using Tokushima-grown Yamada Nishiki, with a wide lineup such as Junmai Ginjo with 55% polishing and Tokubetsu Junmai with 60% polishing. It is known as a brand with a relatively refreshing mouthfeel that goes well with cuisine regardless of Japanese or Western food. It is a brand devised to be enjoyed by modern drinkers while cherishing the history and culture of the region.

"Kikusakari" is the founding brand of Kiuchi Shuzo. Its name was given by Fujita Toko, a Confucian scholar of the Mito domain, with the wish that "the country will prosper just as chrysanthemums bloom in full glory." Using carefully selected brewing rice, it is carefully brewed by hand. It is a sake with a gorgeous and mellow taste that symbolizes the history and tradition of Kiuchi Shuzo.

Naraman is a Junmai brand from Yumegokoro Shuzo that excites sake fans nationwide. Named after the first-generation head, it pursues the ideal of being the "best supporting actor that enhances food." It features a fresh melon-like aroma, powerful rice umami, and a magnificent crisp finish produced by strictly selected Aizu-grown Gohyakumangoku rice. It is a highly skilled sake representing Aizu that never tires the palate and elevates every dish.

Nakashimaya is a persitent sake named after the trade name, characterized by a refreshing taste that you never get tired of. It is a brand that harmonizes the tradition of Nakashimaya Brewery for 200 years and the philosophy of modern sake brewing aimed at by the 12th generation head. While protecting the techniques inherited from the Edo period, they pursue a refreshing drinking mouth and a taste that you never get tired of, and it is supported by a wide range of people as a sake that goes well with meals. By bearing the trade name, it has become a brand embodying the history and pride of Nakashimaya Brewery.

"Shuroku" is a brand revived and inherited by Raifuku Shuzo from the brand of Otsuka Shuzo, which used to be in Bando City. In cooperation with Bando City, they revived the famous sake that disappeared while being regretted by locals to the present day. Its quality is highly evaluated internationally, such as winning the Grand Prix at the U.S. National Sake Appraisal. It features a gorgeous scent using flower yeast and a rich taste utilizing the umami of rice. It is a significant brand that protects regional heritage and connects it to the next generation, and is loved again by people in the region centered on Bando City.