Brands

"Fukuju Matsunoi" is the most beloved standard brand that Shirasou Shuzo has protected since its founding. The name, combining the auspicious characters for "Fortune" (Fuku), "Longevity" (Ju), and "Pine" (Matsu), carries the warm wish of the brewer for the happiness of those who drink it. Brewed carefully with pure water from the Nasu mountains and high-quality Tochigi rice using traditional methods, it is characterized by a calm, settled aroma and a mellow flavor that one never tires of. It has long accompanied the lives of local people, from daily evening drinks to regional celebrations. The sincere and reassuring taste, reflecting the depth of Shirasou Shuzo's history, is a brand that truly embodies what a "local sake" should be—a regional treasure that continues to this day.

"Eikan" is one of the flagship brands that Kaneko Shuzo continues to brew with pride. The name carries the glorious wish of the "Crown of Glory" (Eikan) to honor victory and merit, and it has long been cherished as a sake that colors regional celebrations and special occasions. Crafted meticulously using high-quality sake rice nurtured in the natural environment of Nasu and the pure waters of the Naka River, it is made with traditional techniques backed by over 200 years of history. It is characterized by a solid rice umami while maintaining a crisp and clean finish, offering a dignified flavor. Stay close to the hearts of those who drink it and providing a certain sense of satisfaction, this brand is truly a drop of glory, concentrating the craftsman spirit of Kaneko Shuzo.

"Kotobuki Ichiban" is a very auspicious brand, named with the wish to deliver the "Number One Joy" (Ichiban no Yorokobi), as the name suggests. It is a fusion of Kaneko Shuzo's over 200 years of brewing history and the techniques nurtured by the clear waters of the Naka River, coloring people's new beginnings and celebratory occasions. While carefully bringing out the rich umami of the rice, it gives a surprisingly light and bright impression on the palate. One sip of its harmonious flavor brings a sense of happiness, and it has gained immense local trust as a food-pairing sake that goes exceptionally well with various dishes. Embodying the brewer's sentiment that "for the best celebration, the best Number One," it is a cup that hints at a bright future.

"Nakiryu" is a brand with a powerful resonance that vibrates the soul of the drinker, just like the famous "Crying Dragon" (Nakiryu) of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. It was created by Kaneko Shuzo to express the strength and purity of the dragon, overlapping its image with the clear flow of the Naka River. Brewed meticulously using traditional methods and strict temperature control, this sake hides a dynamic rice umami like a dragon within its crisp, dry profile. One sip spreads a rich aroma throughout the mouth, followed by a pleasant, long-lasting finish. It is a powerful yet refined draught, crafted by a venerable brewery that fuses modern sensibility with traditional skills.

"Takauji" is a brand that symbolizes the history and pride of Ashikaga City, named after Ashikaga Takauji, the founder of the Muromachi Shogunate. It is brewed with the aim of creating a flavor that possesses both dignified elegance and strength, worthy of the regional hero's name. Using the pure water of Ashikaga and carefully selected sake rice, it is meticulously crafted with traditional skills, achieving both a rich fullness of rice and a clean, sharp finish. With one sip, you can sense the long history and culture of Ashikaga through its refined and distinguished flavor. As a symbol of the historic city of Ashikaga and a cup that embodies regional pride, it is a supreme sake highly regarded for gifts and celebratory occasions.

"Hatsu-ebisu" is a brand with an auspicious name brewed by Yoshii Shuzo, named after Ebisu, the god of business prosperity. "Hatsu" denotes a new beginning, and "Ebisu" refers to the god who brings fortune, making it a beloved celebratory sake that graces new starts and special occasions. Brewed meticulously using traditional methods with pure groundwater from Sano and sake rice from Tochigi Prefecture, it is distinguished by its remarkably mellow and gentle mouthfeel. The soothing flavor, which harmonizes a calm aroma with the natural umami of rice, pairs beautifully with Sano's local cuisine and has long been cherished by the community as Yoshii Shuzo's signature brand.

"Tsugaru Kaikyo" is one of the brands in the Rokka Shuzo product lineup.

"Kaika Natsu" is a summer-limited brand from Daiichi Shuzo. Designed as a "refreshing cup" for the hot summer months, it focuses on delivering a crisp and exhilarating experience. While retaining the brilliance of the standard Kaika, it is finished with a light mouthfeel to pair perfectly with summer vegetables and light dishes. Best enjoyed well-chilled or on the rocks, it is a sake with clear transparency, reminiscent of a cloudless summer sky.

"Kaika Bloom" is a brand developed as a separate line from Daiichi Shuzo's Kaika series. As the name suggests, it is a sake that expresses the beauty of the moment when a flower opens and its fragrance rises. With a particular focus on yeast and brewing methods, it is characterized by an even more brilliant aroma and a texture that highlights the soft sweetness of the rice compared to the standard Kaika. It is cherished as a sake that elevates joyous moments and adds elegance to gifts or special gatherings.

"Kaika Fragrance" (Kaikou) is a supreme sake developed as a premium line by Daiichi Shuzo, pursuing overwhelming aromatic beauty. The name reflects a scene of being "surrounded by flowers and enveloped in fragrance"; with each sip, rich Ginjo aromas layer upon each other, leading to an elegant, lingering finish. Primarily featuring top-tier specifications like Daiginjo and Junmai Daiginjo, it is a luxurious masterpiece that culminates over 350 years of Daiichi Shuzo's history and technical expertise.

"Ainosawa" is the signature brand of Aizawa Shuzo, named by infusing the family name "Aizawa" with deep "Affection" (Ai). It is crafted by Akiko Aizawa, Tochigi's first female Toji, who cherishes the natural umami of rice while pursuing a gentleness that resonates with the hearts of those who drink it. By using high-quality rice such as Yamada Nishiki and Omachi from Tochigi and adhering to traditional handmade methods, they achieve a flavor that is rich yet supple and easy to enjoy continuously. It is characterized by a calm aroma, a full-bodied umami that spreads through the mouth, and a clean finish that vanishes smoothly. As a food-pairing sake that elegantly colors everyday meals, it continues to be loved across generations, primarily in Sano City.

"Kyokujo" is a special brand from Aizawa Shuzo, named after the image of the morning sun rising over Shiroyama in the center of Sano City. "Kyoku" (Rising Sun) symbolizes the morning sun, and "Jo" (Castle) symbolizes high-class dignity. Positioned as a top-tier line that gathers the best of Aizawa Shuzo's technology, it is characterized by a mellow flavor and a rich body that expertly draws out the maximum umami of the rice. While it can be enjoyed chilled for a refreshing sensation, warming it slightly (Nurukan) further expands the umami, allowing for a deep, complex flavor. As a cup for special occasions, it is a brand that combines strength and elegance, evoking the rich history of Sano.

"Shinra Bansho" is a premium product from Hokkan Shuzo, named with the aim of achieving a deep and diverse flavor that encompasses all phenomena in the universe. By highly polishing selected top-tier sake rice and utilizing both time-honored traditional techniques and state-of-the-art brewing facilities, they concentrate all their expertise into every single drop. It is characterized by complexly layered, rich aromas, a delicate umami with transparency, and an elegant, lingering finish. It is truly a supreme brand that represents the pinnacle of Hokkan Shuzo's technology, expressing the infinite possibilities of Japanese sake.

"Nishibori" is a traditional brand carrying the name of the brewery. Embodying the spirit of "learning from the past to create the new" (Onko Chishin) inherited since its founding in 1872, it encapsulates the rich water and rice of Oyama and the traditional techniques nurtured within its historic buildings. It is characterized by a calm yet firm aroma and a deep flavor where the plump umami of the rice is harmonized. While responding flexibly to the changes of the times, it conveys the sincere brewing attitude that Nishibori Shuzo has maintained. It is a sake that stays close to the local culinary culture, providing heart-warming comfort with every sip—a true starting point for the brewery.

"Ai Mai Me (I MY ME)" is an innovative brand from Nishibori Shuzo that transcends the traditional boundaries of sake. Its most defining feature is the use of "ancient rice" (Kodaimai). The name encapsulates a deep love for rice and a respect for the drinker's individuality. It charms with the beautiful hues derived from ancient rice and a new, fruity, sweet-and-sour flavor profile reminiscent of wine—unlike any conventional sake. It is an ambitious work that illuminates the future of sake, expressing a modern sensibility from a traditional brewery and the infinite possibilities of rice.

"Yuten" is characterized by the noble aroma of Ginjo and a mellow umami. It is a local Tsugaru sake deeply loved by the world-renowned woodblock artist Shiko Munakata. In 1968, Munakata spent about two years designing the entire packaging—from the label and calligraphy to the box and wrapping paper—utilizing both his signature "Ura-saishiki" (back-coloring) and "Omote-saishiki" (front-coloring) techniques.

"Mongai Fushutsu" is a rare brand that was once enjoyed only in local Oyama, as a sake so precious it was "never to leave the brewery gates." Using the underflow water of the Nikko Mountains and the rich rice of Oyama, it pursues the essence of Tochigi's local sake. It features a calm, elegant aroma and a deep flavor where the natural umami of the rice gradually unfolds. It is a sake that embodies the brewery's deep wish to "provide the best sake to the local people," making one feel the pride of Tochigi.

"ILLUMINA" is a brand symbolizing the new horizons of sake carved out by Nishibori Shuzo. Named after the Latin word for "to illuminate," it carries a challenging message from a historic brewery to light up the future of sake with modern sensibilities. Featuring a clear, transparent taste and a sophisticated, stylish aroma, it pursues vivid expressions that refresh the conventional image of sake. It is a symbol of the brewery's passion and innovativeness, aiming to expand the horizons of Tochigi's brewing and deliver the new charms of sake to people worldwide.

"Kabayama" is another ambitious brand from Inoue Seikichi Shoten. In contrast to the brilliance of the flagship Sawahime, it is brewed with the aim of expressing a more composed character—the strength and gentleness of nature. Using Utsunomiya's clear underflow water and selected local sake rice, it is carefully handcrafted. It features a calm aroma and a full-bodied flavor where the sweetness of the rice is honestly felt, making it ideal for enjoying slowly with a meal. It is a sincere and warm sake that expresses the natural blessings of Tochigi as they are.

"Usui" is a special brand bearing the name of the founding Usui family, pursuing the ideal of being "as light as a feather (U) and as precise as water (Sui)." While leveraging the characteristic acidity of Senkin, it pursues a more elegant and light drinking experience. Based on strict Domaine-ification, this sake is carefully brewed using local sake rice and clear underflow water, featuring a silk-like smooth mouthfeel. Its calm Ginjo aroma and delicate flavor make it excellent as a food-pairing sake that gently enhances dishes, standing as a refined cup that demonstrates new possibilities for Senkin.

"Kirifuri" is a brand pursuing deep community roots, named after Tochigi's famous "Kirifuri Falls." It was born from the fusion of Nikko's rich natural environment and Senkin's advanced techniques. It features a refreshing drinking experience reminiscent of a clear stream, maximizing the umami of high-quality local sake rice. With a wonderful balance of fresh, juicy fruit-like aromas and crisp acidity, it is a sake that delivers the comfort of a mist-shrouded highland.

"Aoinikko" is a prestigious brand named in admiration of Nikko's grand nature, history, and its deep connection with the Tokugawa Shogunate. It reflects the majestic image of the World Heritage site, Nikko, in its character. Brewed based on Senkin's unique "Domaine" philosophy, this sake features a coexistence of an elegant, brilliant aroma and a dignified, firm flavor. It is a sake full of dignity, fusing Tochigi's historical pride with cutting-edge brewing technology, making it suitable for special occasions or as a gift.

"Hagoromo" is one of the brands in the Hirosaki Meijo product lineup.

"Shinro" is a traditional brand inherited through generations since Kojima Shuzoten's founding in the Meiji era. It is characterized by a unique "richness" and the solid umami of rice. Rebranded as "Premium SINRO" by the 6th generation owner, it projects a new charm with stylish bottle designs resembling wine. Upon tasting, you first feel acidity and dryness, followed by the spreading powerful umami of rice. It is a food-pairing sake that you won't get tired of, enhancing the flavors of a wide range of dishes from Japanese to Western cuisine.

"Kannabi no Sato" is a brand embodying the philosophy of Kojima Shuzoten, named with the image of "a quiet countryside village where gods descend." It expresses the beautiful climate of Shioya Town through sake. It features a light yet flavorful dry taste (Tanrei Umakuchi) with little off-flavor, offering a soft and mellow rice umami that cuts cleanly in the aftertaste. Its unique richness and rice umami make it loved not only in local Tochigi but also by sake fans from afar as a "phantom food-pairing sake that can only be bought in Tochigi."