Brands
Akashi-Tai
明石鯛 🏆 6"Akashi-Tai" is the representative brand of Akashi Sake Brewery, and bears the name of sea bream, a specialty of Akashi, in the brand name. It is a traditional brand that has been produced around 1960, and contains the ambition to become the "King of Sake" like the sea bream which is the "King of Fish". It generously polishes the highest quality Yamada Nishiki from the Special A district of Ono City (38% for Daiginjo, 60% for Junmai sake), realizing world-class quality. It is highly acclaimed internationally, with "Akashi-Tai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu" winning Gold Medals at Kura Master, Feminalise World Wine Competition, and U.S. National Sake Appraisal, and "Akashi-Tai Tokubetsu Junmai Sake" winning the Platinum Award at Kura Master. As an international brand that exports 95% of its production overseas and is loved in about 25 countries, it is a driving force in the global expansion of sake.
Kome Hyappyo
米百俵 🏆 2Kome Hyappyo (A Hundred Sacks of Rice) is a brand that embodies the representative philosophy of Nagaoka. Its name originates from a historic episode during the late Edo period, when Torasaburo Kobayashi of the Nagaoka Clan chose not to eat donated rice but instead invested it in education for the future. Similarly, Tochikura Shuzo looks toward the future rather than temporary profit, as seen in their early transition to 100% Junmai production and unwavering commitment to high-quality rice. Achieving the pinnacle of the Niigata 'tanrei umakuchi' (light and flavorful) style, this sake radiates a pure brilliance that lights up hope for the future, standing alongside the pride of Nagaoka.
Saga
佐嘉 🏆 4"Saga" is a brand bearing the name of the place Saga, with the wish to be sake loved by the locals. Using rice and water from Saga Prefecture, it possesses the umami and sweetness typical of Saga, while also pursuing a sharpness that suits modern tastes.
Kanbai
寒梅 🏆 2 EC
"Kanbai" is the flagship brand of Kanbai Shuzo that pursues clear and refined flavors like plums that bloom with dignity in severe winter. Its flavor, played by groundwater of the Tone River system and the pure sweetness of rice, is as clear as meltwater and features a supreme crispness that passes through the throat comfortably. A famous sake that hides strength to encourage the drinker within a dignified presence nurtured by tradition.
Tsunan
津南 🏆 1Tsunan is a representative standard brand of the brewery that directly carries the name of the hometown that Tsunan Jozo is proud of. Honest and without eccentricity. As a daily sake loved by the local people and as a bottle to greet people visiting Tsunan, it brews the climate of this place as it is. Its taste is exactly the royal road of 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry) that Niigata is proud of. In the clean drinking taste without impurities, the umami of high-quality local rice and the soft nuance of pure soft water are harmonized. Good chilled and good warmed. For daily evening drinks and as a souvenir to give with memories of Tsunan, it provides a sense of security that does not change in any era.
Mifuku
美冨久 🏆 2 EC
"Mifuku" is the royal road and original brand of Mifuku Shuzo, bearing the sake brewing philosophy "beautiful, rich, and continues eternally" since its founding. Using the clear water of the Suzuka Mountains and carefully selected Shiga Prefecture rice, it is a standard cup that has continued to nestle close to local people for many years. Characterized by soft umami with a good balance and a modest aroma, it richly colors daily dining tables. It is a trusted brand representing the brewery, where the determination to protect tradition and the sincerity of wishing for the drinker's happiness are alive.
Houmei
鳳鳴 🏆 2"Houmei" is a traditional brand of Houmei Sake Brewing, having a history since its founding in the Kansei era. While protecting orthodox sake brewing using high-quality rice and water of Tamba-Sasayama, it develops a wide range of products from Daiginjo to Junmai sake. It is characterized by an elegant taste typical of sake from a castle town and a gentle aroma reflecting the climate of Tamba.
Chojiya
丁子屋 🏆 1Chojiya is a sake brand inherited from the pre-merger Chojiya Shuzo. Carrying the lineage of Emifuku, which was produced in Higashisonogi Town, it conveys regional traditions to the present day. It features a gentle aroma and a crisp, clean finish that never tires the palate, carrying a long history.
Shirataki
白瀧 🏆 5Shirataki is a brand bearing the house name as it is, representing the origin of Shirataki Shuzo's journey and spirit for over 160 years. The pure aspiration since its founding to brew sake as clear and beautiful as a 'white waterfall' flowing down from the mountains of Yuzawa lives in this single bottle. Its taste, where traditional techniques and the latest sensibility harmonize, features both the soft umami of rice and the dignified crispness produced by the water of the snow country. The pride of Shirataki Shuzo, which continues to pursue high quality without being swayed by trends, is contained, letting us feel the depth of the brewery's history every time we drink it. It is indeed the backbone of Shirataki Shuzo and an eternal standard to be passed on to the future.
Denshin
伝心 🏆 5 EC
"Denshin" is a limited distribution brand meaning "reaching your heart." It embodies the wish to be a sake that deepens the bonds between people. Using sake rice and water nurtured by Fukui's climate, it features a delicate and profound taste that honestly expresses the individuality of each sake rice.
Shigaizumi
志賀泉 🏆 3"Shigaizumi" is the representative brand since the brewery's founding. Using clear spring water from Shiga Kogen and Nagano Prefecture rice, it is characterized by a sharp, clean, and dry taste. It is popular as a sake for evening drinks that can be enjoyed in a wide range of ways, from cold to warm, and one never tires of drinking.
Yuri
ゆり 🏆 3Yuri is a brand produced by female Toji Yuri Hayashi, under the concept of "Sake brewed by a woman, recommended for women." Born from the delicate yet strong-willed brewing of a mother-daughter team, its charm lies in a brilliant aroma and a dignified dry taste. It is a modern beauty of a sake that offers the gentle swelling of rice umami while maintaining a crisp aftertaste.
Koshi no Hakugan
越乃白雁 🏆 2 EC
Koshi no Hakugan is the flagship brand representing the history and pride of Nakagawa Shuzo. It was named after the beautiful 'Hakugan' (white geese) that once descended upon the rice fields near the brewery. Utilizing the mystical 'blue water' from the Nishiyama Hills, it draws out the maximum power of the grain. While reflecting Niigata's 'tanrei' style, it offers a consistent umami core and a smooth finish. Its 'Kuromatsu' label won Grand Gold at a sake temperature competition, earning high praise as a sake that shines even more when warmed. It is cherished as a brand that allows for the enjoyment of sake's depth across a wide range of temperatures.
Sasaichi
笹一 🏆 2"Sasaichi" is the flagship brand inheriting the tradition since the founding of Sasaichi Shuzo. The name "Sasa" represents sake, and "Ichi" represents the spirit of aiming to be the best in Japan. Using "Gozen-sui," the meltwater of Mt. Fuji, it is carefully brewed with 100% homemade koji. Using sake rice such as "Koshu Yumesansui" from Yamanashi Prefecture, it is a meal-time sake that one never tires of drinking, characterized by lush umami and a crisp aftertaste.
Yokohama
横濱 🏆 3Yokohama is one of the brands brewed by Niizawa Sake Brewery.
Minakata
南方 🏆 4 EC"Minakata" is a brand bearing the name of the founding Minakata family. Focusing on the rice and yeast used, they brew sake expressing the climate of Kishu. It is characterized by a taste that enhances meals, harmonizing fresh aroma, rice umami, and beautiful acidity.
Shichifukujin
七福神 🏆 5Shichifukujin is a brand characterized by rich umami and excellent sharpness (kire). Originally a brand of Hakomasa Shuzo, it was inherited through the merger with Kikunotsukasa Shuzo. Centered on the Junmai sake series using Iwate Prefecture's sake rice "Yu no Ka," the super dry (cho-karakuchi) Junmai sake "Shichifukujin" features a clear and light mouthfeel, acidity, and sharpness. With a wide lineup ranging from rich Junmai sake to super dry, it features a flavor design that matches the local food culture. The handmade Junmai Daiginjo "Shichifukujin" achieves an elegant aroma and deep flavor through careful koji making and long-term low-temperature fermentation. As sake born from the harmony of people, it is a traditional brand that continues to be loved by the region.
Kumino-ura
久美の浦 🏆 2"Kumino-ura" is the representative brand of Kumano Shuzo, bearing the name of the beautiful scenery of Kumihama Bay spreading in front of the brewery. It pursues a taste where a clear transparency created by the silence and clear air of Tango's winter and the gentle umami of rice are harmonized. Long loved locally and showing the best marriage with Kumihama's seafood, this sake is indeed "a cup for feeling the sea of Tango." Toji Kakimoto's thoughts of valuing handwork live within the soft mouthfeel and refreshing finish.
Sukigokoro
寿喜心 🏆 3"Sukigokoro" is the representative brand of Suto Shuzo. It is brewed with the heart of "Longevity (Kotobuki)" and "Joy," and filled with the wish that this heart reaches the drinker. The harmony woven by the pure water of Saijo and carefully selected sake rice is a beautiful flavor full of transparency. The smooth mouthfeel and elegant aroma are pleasant, enriching meal times.
Iono
伊乎乃 🏆 3Iono is a brand of historical significance, born when Takanoi Shuzo first challenged snow storage in Japan. Its name derives from 'Iono no Kuni,' an ancient name for the Uonuma region, containing deep respect for the local terroir. Its greatest feature is the incredibly smooth and rounded flavor created by maturation in the snow cellar. The quality, where traditional brewing and pioneering technology fuse, integrates a flowery aroma with depth from aging, truly embodying the 'blessings of snow country.' It is evaluated as a dignified brand symbolizing the brewery's transformation.
Kamimusubi
神結 🏆 2It is a representative brand bearing the name of the brewery, expressing the bonds between gods and people, and people and people. Using the highest quality Yamada Nishiki from the Banshu Plain and spring water from Mt. Gobo, they practice sake brewing that embodies the local climate. Valuing the balance between tradition and innovation, they aim for a taste loved by a wide range of people.
Sansha
山車 🏆 4"Sansha" was named after the gorgeous festival floats (Dashi) of the Takayama Festival, one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. True to its name, it combines gorgeousness and elegance, and is characterized by a refreshing dry taste with a sharp finish. The taste nurtured by the climate of Hida Takayama goes well with the local food culture and continues to be loved for a long time as a sake that you never get tired of drinking.
Kaishuichi
会州一 🏆 1Kaishuichi is the flagship brand that, since its founding in 1643, has inscribed in its name the pride and determination to brew the "number one" (ichi) sake in the Aizu region (Kaishu). It features a rich and dignified taste that directly expresses the weight of Aizu's history and its blessed terroir. As shown by its brilliant consecutive Gold Medals in 2023 and 2024, its 380-year tradition is constantly polished to peak quality. It is a drop of passion that makes one feel the indomitable soul of Aizu (AIZ'S-EYES).
Kintsuru
金鶴 🏆 3Kintsuru is the only brand representing Kato Shuzo Ten and is a brand deeply loved by Sado islanders as a daily sake. The essence of the brewery, 'using local ingredients and making sake loved by local people,' is condensed into this single bottle. While following the royal road of Niigata sake, 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (light and dry), it is characterized by an exquisite balance that pulls out a plump umami instead of completely erasing the sweetness of rice. It demonstrates its ability in all temperature ranges from cold to warm, and nestles supremely in home-style dishes such as seasonal fish dishes and simmered dishes. It is a sake like the sincere spirit of Sado itself, having won trust only with quality without putting out any flashy advertisements.
Katsuragawa
桂川 🏆 2Named after the Katsuragawa River that flows behind the brewery, this is the flagship brand of Yanagisawa Shuzo, long cherished by locals. It is characterized by a rich flavor that maximizes rice umami, established through a tradition of brewing sweet sake using glutinous rice.