Brands

"Kasen" is the representative brand of the brewery, brewed with traditional skills inherited since its founding. It features a gorgeous and elegant aroma and a transparent mouthfeel that lets you feel the quality of the water. As a sake during meals that brings out the taste of dishes, it has been loved by locals for a long time. It is an all-rounder that can be enjoyed in a wide range of ways, from cold sake to hot sake.

"Mansaku" is a traditional brand of Yamanokotobuki Shuzo, bearing the name "Mansaku" aiming for a bountiful harvest. The brand name, deeply connected to the local agricultural culture, expresses gratitude and respect for rice farming. Inherited even after reconstruction from devastating damage by a typhoon, it continues to evolve to meet modern needs while protecting traditional sake quality. New sensibilities by the young team are added, pursuing a taste where tradition and innovation harmonize. Characterized by a mellow flavor that cherishes the umami of rice, it is loved as a food sake accompanying the local food culture. It is a brand where you can feel the sincere attitude of the brewery that overcame difficulties.

"Sanju no Ibuki" is a brand produced by Yamanokotobuki Shuzo, meaning "Breath of brilliantly shining celebration." Positioned as a symbol of new challenges by the young team, it expresses the innovative attitude of Yamanokotobuki Shuzo. While based on traditional sake brewing techniques, it features sake quality that reflects new sensibilities and a challenging attitude. The natural environment of Kitano Town surrounded by mountains and the history of the brewery overcoming difficulties are contained in the name of this brand.

"Enasan" is the flagship brand of Hazama Shuzo, named after Mt. Ena, one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. Using clear underground water from Mt. Ena and sake rice such as Yamada Nishiki and Hidahomare, it realizes a fruity and gentle Ginjo aroma, soft transparency, and welling umami. It is a brand where you can enjoy the individuality of rice with a diverse lineup such as Junmai Ginjo and Junmai Daiginjo.

"Kazo no Mai" is a community-based brand born to convey the blessings of local Kazo City and the passion of producers. Its flavor, played by Kazo's beautiful water and skilled techniques, features a calm and plump flavor overflowing with love for the hometown. A sincere local sake representing Kamaya's spirit of staying close to and walking together with the local people, full of local love.

"Tentaka Kokoro" is a brand that symbolizes the Junmai Daiginjo and Junmai Ginjo lines of Tentaka Shuzo, representing ultimate dignity and harmony. It embodies the brewer's desire to express the "heart of sake brewing," serving as a bottle where the brewery's technology and passion culminate in their purest form. It is characterized by a calm and elegant ginjo aroma combined with a rich flavor that draws out the maximum umami from the rice. It is not just dry; it boasts an exquisite balance between the delicate sweetness that spreads in the mouth and a refined, clean finish—perfection that can be called the "zenith of dry sake." Cherished for years as a gem suitable for special meals or gifts, this sake conveys the history and "heart" of the brewery with every sip. It is an elegant and profound Japanese sake.

Bearing the name of the brewery's roots, the "Kita-Akita District," this brand is filled with local love, sharing the terroir and culture of Kita-Akita with the world. Using high-quality local rice and pure water from the foot of the Shirakami-Sanchi mountains, it pursues perfection as an unpretentious yet solid "local sake of Akita." This cup, brewed through harsh winters, has a powerful yet gentle mouthfeel, serving as a pillar for those who love their hometown and now reaching fans worldwide.

"Takino Koi" is a brand symbolizing success and promotion, derived from the legend of Toryumon where a carp climbs a waterfall and becomes a dragon. It is a Junmai Daiginjo polished to 35% using Yamada Nishiki from Special A District in Hyogo Prefecture, the highest peak sake gathering the essence of Sakuramasamune's technology. Also called "Kazabana" (Wind Flower), it is characterized by a delicate and graceful taste.

"Fukufuku" is a historic brand that has continued since the founding of Yuki Shuzo. It contains the wish that "Wealth (Fuku)" and "Fortune (Fuku)" will continue for a long time (Hisashiku). Currently, the "Yui" brand is the mainstay, but Fukufuku is supported by strong local fans and continues to protect the traditional taste. It features an old-fashioned rich taste where you can firmly feel the umami of rice.

Kanenaka is a sake brewed using 'Kimoto-zukuri', an orthodox brewing method handed down from the Edo period that has now become rare. Through the time-consuming and labor-intensive method which takes about one month to create the yeast starter, the aroma and taste originating from Kimoto are unique, characterized by umami and swelling acidity. It has a strong body that corresponds to hot sake, and the deep taste showing various expressions depending on the temperature range is attractive. Traditional production methods are highly evaluated even in modern times, such as winning the top prize in the SAKE division of IWC (International Wine Challenge) 2020. As a brand crystallized from the Kimoto-zukuri technology that Nakashimaya Brewery has continued to protect and the experience nurtured by 200 years of history, it has received tremendous support from sake lovers. The unique taste by traditional production methods has become a valuable existence in the modern sake scene.

Yume no Kanade is a next-generation flagship brand released by Hanaharu Shuzo to commemorate its 300th anniversary. With the slogan "luxury to be enjoyed casually," it focuses on Junmai Daiginjo polished to 50%. Its moderate aroma and clean finish represent the ultimate in sophisticated "sake for food pairing" that harmonizes with modern diverse dining scenes. With a rich history of Gold Medals, it is Aizu's melody playing toward the future.

'Gohhou' means 'Treasure of the Hometown.' Named with the hope that it will become a source of pride for the local community, this sake encapsulates the rich nature of Nanae Town and the passion of its people. Its flavor profile is characterized by an incredibly smooth transparency with no off-flavors. While highlighting the plumpness of the rice, it has a clean, crisp finish that pairs beautifully not only with Japanese cuisine but also with Western and modern dishes. The brand uses locally grown sake rice—Ginpu, Suisei, and Kitashizuku—expressing the unique character of each variety with peak freshness. With every sip, you can feel the refreshing breeze of Donan and the sincere dedication of the brewers. 'Gohhou' shines as the 'ultimate everyday sake,' adding color and joy to daily life.

"Otakijo" (Otaki Castle) is a brand named after Otaki Castle built by Honda Tadakatsu, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Tokugawa. It features a dignified and sharp taste that makes you feel the history and climate of the castle town, Otaki. It is ideal as a sake with meals and accompanies the local food culture.

Suganadake is a representative brand of Kondo Shuzo, named with deep respect for the brewing water, which can be called the life of sake brewing. Used for brewing is clear natural 'Dokkonmizu' water welling up from the mountainside of the famous Mt. Sugana. This sacred transparency of water is crystallized as a cup of sake. Its greatest feature is its overwhelming purity. While it is the ultimate of light and dry style with unnecessary things removed, the pure umami of rice that follows gives a quiet impression to the drinker's heart. The clear and unclouded drinkability, which can be realized only because the water is good, is truly 'water art.' The taste, reflecting the brewer's attitude sincerely facing the severe nature of Niigata, is highly evaluated not only locally but also by people nationwide who love real sake.

"Ichinoya" is a premium brand bearing the name of the brewery, symbolizing the technology and spirit of Ichinoya. Using carefully selected sake rice and "Hyojunsui", it achieves a sophisticated aroma and a transparent taste. It is a supreme bottle pursuing the possibilities of sake in a new era.

"Takumi" (Artisan) is a brand that concentrates the commitment of Kyohime Shuzo, brewed by skilled craftsmen who have mastered traditional techniques. Luxuriously using the finest sake rice "Yamada Nishiki" and slowly fermenting at low temperatures, it draws out a fruity, deep, and noble aroma. Characterized by a moist and calm taste where the natural sweetness and richness of rice are in harmony, not just being brilliant. In every drop where the artisan's pride lives, it is a sake that makes one feel the "craftsman's skill," gracefully staging moments on special days.

Ryoko is an innovative brand by Mineno Hakubai Shuzo, named after calligrapher Maki Ryoko. To overturn the existing image of Niigata sake, Toji Iijima, who honed his skills at a famous brewery in Aizu, is challenging a new frontier called 'Hojun Karakuchi' (rich and dry). A glamorous and rich aroma, a rich taste where the sweetness and umami of rice are fully extracted, and a firm sharpness at the end. This multi-layered deliciousness has impressed professionals all over the world, winning the top prize trophy at IWC 2023. 'Ryoko,' woven by traditional skills, the passion of the Toji, and Niigata's rich water, is one of the most energetic brands today, proposing a new standard for sake.

"BLACK SWAN" is a brand born from Shirasugi Shuzo's revolutionary challenge of introducing "Black Koji" used in shochu brewing into sake. Using eating rice "Milky Queen," its biggest feature is the vivid and sweet-and-sour acidity from citric acid derived from black koji. The personality of refined acidity that vividly overturns the conventional image of sake stands out. The balance between a multilayered taste like wine and the lingering umami is exquisite. It proposes a new sake style for enjoying marriage with cheese or western dishes. The drop that shaped the "impossible" is indeed the legendary "Black Swan" of the sake world, symbolizing Shirasugi Shuzo's innovative spirit.

"Komaizumi" is named after the "spring (izumi) of the horse (koma) village," in honor of Shichinohe's reputation as a famous horse-breeding area. It is brewed using the gentle meltwater from the East Hakkoda mountain range, known as "Takasegawa underflow water."

The name "Gikyo" (meaning "chivalry" or "honor") symbolizes integrity, derived from the brewery's "faith" and "passion" for strictly adhering to contract prices even during raw material price surges in the Meiji era. They generously use the highest-grade Yamada Nishiki rice from the Tojo Toku-A district in Hyogo, a treasure obtained only by a limited number of breweries. Without chasing aroma, the strong core of the rice, dynamic acidity, and deep umami brought by low-temperature aging play a magnificent harmony. Its flavor, possessing overwhelming persuasiveness and style that stands apart from trends, is truly a drop that upholds the "loyalty" of sake.

Tachibanaya is a brand of Kawakei Shoten that began production in 1997 (Heisei 9), bearing the brewery's trade name "Tachibanaya." Brewed in careful small batches, it features a taste that brings out the umami of rice.

"Shinomine" is a brand representing Chiyo Sake Brewery, a sake limited to special contract stores brewed carefully in small quantities. The brand name "Shinomine" comes from "peak of dwarf bamboo" in the Katsuragi mountain range, expressing a deep connection with the Katsuragi mountains towering behind the brewery. Focusing on the "Rokumaru" series (rice polishing ratio 60%), they use diverse sake rice such as Yamada Nishiki, Omachi, Aiyama, and Akitsuho properly, maximizing the individuality of each rice. The charm is the fresh and sharp taste unique to unfiltered raw undiluted sake and the goodness of balance where you can firmly feel the umami of rice.