Brands
Eiko Fuji
栄光冨士 🏆 10 EC
Eiko Fuji is a globally popular Muroka Nama Genshu (unfiltered raw undiluted sake) brand that symbolizes the progressive spirit of Fuji Shuzo. Through rigorous year-round brewing, it delivers a consistently fresh taste, with fruit-like vibrant aromas and powerful rice umami as its primary attractions. Each of its seasonal limited editions—themed after various rice varieties—exudes a vivid individuality, presenting a form of Japanese sake full of entertainment that never lets the drinker tire.
Choryo
長龍 🏆 11 EC
"Choryo" is the flagship brand bearing the name of the brewery, and has been loved for a long time for its stable quality and friendly taste. It has a wide lineup from Junmai sake to Daiginjo, achieving high quality in each price range. Characterized by a balanced taste and a character as a meal sake that nestles up to meals, it is enjoyed in various scenes from daily dining tables to special seats. As a brand that embodies the basics of sake brewing at Choryo Sake Brewery, it is a reliable sake where the skills and tradition of the brewery are condensed.
Hakkaisan
八海山 🏆 17 EC
Hakkaisan is an immortal masterpiece brand that symbolizes the 'light and dry' style of Niigata and has raised the standard of Japanese sake by one level. It is characterized by overwhelming transparency without impurities produced by the pure snowmelt water of the sacred Mt. Hakkai and a deep taste that allows you to faintly feel the sweetness of rice. Its quality, which stays close to any dish and never tires the drinker even after many glasses, transforms daily evening drinks into the best moments. In particular, special series aged for a long time in a snow cellar (Yukimuro) possess the mellowness and deep richness brewed by the passage of time. As a staple that colors the dining table, and as a sake for gifts or special occasions, it is a synonym for Japanese sake that continues to be loved across generations and borders.
Harushika
春鹿 🏆 17Harushika is the representative brand of Imanishi Seibei Shoten, originating from the legend that the gods of Kasuga came riding on a deer. Since its founding in 1884, it has been known as the ultimate dry sake created by traditional techniques under the manufacturing philosophy of "polishing rice, polishing water, polishing skills, and polishing the heart". Junmai Chokarakuchi (Extra Dry) has a crisp dry taste while retaining umami, a taste typical of Harushika that does not smell of alcohol. Junmai Ginjo has a refreshing taste with a fruity aroma and acidity, and Daiginjo features a gentle aroma and a dignified sharpness. It can be enjoyed in all temperature ranges from cold to hot sake, and is exported to and loved in more than 10 countries around the world. It is a famous brewery that conveys to the present the traditional techniques established in Nara, such as fermentation using old-fashioned wooden barrels.
Kikuishi
菊石 🏆 9"Kikuishi" is the flagship brand of Urano, born from the water and climate nurtured by Mount Sanage, the sacred peak of Toyota City. Named after the chrysanthemum-shaped fossils discovered in the mountains (a natural monument), the sake embodies the sacred energy of the land. It charms with a fine texture unique to handmade methods and a gentle mouthfeel where the sweetness of rice softly spreads. The refined flavor, with a pleasant lingering finish until the last drop, elegantly colors daily meals and warmly envelops conversations with loved ones.
Nabeshima
鍋島 🏆 11 EC
"Nabeshima" is a star brand leading Saga Prefecture. Characterized by the plump sweetness inherent in rice, a gorgeous aroma, and a fresh mouthfeel, its elegant aroma, sweetness, and clear taste captivate sake fans both domestically and internationally. With the motto of "Natural sake that gently stimulates the five senses and soaks into the body," it achieves an exquisite balance and deep flavor. As indicated by its history of winning the IWC Champion Sake, it boasts world-class quality.
Katsuyama
勝山 🏆 23 EC
Katsuyama is the flagship brand of Sendai Isawa Ke Katsuyama Shuzo, a historic sake that has been brewed for over 300 years since its founding in 1688. Inheriting the tradition of continuing high-class sake brewing as the official sake brewer of the Date family, it features high-quality sake characteristics due to careful handmade production and carefully selected rice. A gorgeous ginjo aroma, elegant sweetness, and a fine mouthfeel harmonize to create a taste that evokes the elegance of Date culture. Numerous gold medal wins at the Annual Japan Sake Awards prove the high level of their technique. Balancing tradition and innovation, it is a prestigious brand representing Miyagi that is loved by modern sake fans.
Houkakinmon
芳華金紋 🏆 16"Houkakinmon" is a standard and long-selling brand that inherits the history and tradition of Hakubotan Shuzo. It has been loved by locals for a long time as an evening drink where you can easily enjoy the "sweet and savory" taste typical of Hakubotan. Characterized by a taste that you will never get tired of, which can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from cold to hot sake, adding color to the daily dining table.
Yuki no Matsushima
雪の松島 🏆 16 ECYuki no Matsushima is the flagship brand inherited from the former Miyagi Shurui and is Taiwagura Shuzo's representative sake. Aiming for a pure and beautiful sake quality like the snowscape of Matsushima, the Junmai Ginjo sake using "Kura no Hana" from Miyagi Prefecture features a balance of refreshing fruit aroma, richness, and deliciousness. They are creating highly acclaimed products, such as "Yuki no Matsushima KAI Junmai Genshu Hitomebore," which won 1st place in the Junmai Sake category at the SAKE COMPETITION 2023. They have also developed a unique sake quality that is super dry with a Sake Meter Value of +20 but has a light mouthfeel and mellow umami, gaining high support from dry sake lovers.
Gazan
我山 🏆 14"Gazan" is the flagship brand of Tsurumi Shuzo, bearing a name that represents the will to stick to one's beliefs and pave one's own path. Using carefully selected Yamada Nishiki generously and perfecting traditional handmade techniques, its quality is characterized by a precise, elegant, and deep flavor. It is a supreme sake recognized worldwide, sweeping gold medals in prestigious competitions both in Japan and overseas. This masterpiece exudes an exceptional style, concealing unwavering confidence within its serenity.
Sho Chiku Bai
松竹梅 🏆 13 EC
"Sho Chiku Bai" is Takara Shuzo's representative sake brand, named after pine, bamboo, and plum, which are symbols of celebrations. Leveraging the rich fermentation power of brewery-attached yeast, the expanding umami of rice and smooth mouthfeel are exquisitely harmonized. Long loved as the "Sake of Joy," it boasts high perfection that can be enjoyed deliciously at any temperature from cold to warm. As a national brand that nestles close to the Japanese lifestyle and delivers smiles and satisfaction to the dining table, it is an orthodox yet friendly choice.
Dassai
獺祭 🏆 19 EC
Dassai is the sole sake brand brewed by Asahi Shuzo. With the catchphrase 'Sake brewing is dream creation, let's open up a new era of sake,' they continue to reform and innovate without resting on words like tradition or handmade. Using only Yamada Nishiki rice, with the highest rice polishing ratio of 23% (Migaki Niwari Sanbu), they verify rice polished to the limit, realizing a gorgeous aroma, clean sweetness like honey, and a crisp aftertaste. They actively introduce the latest technologies such as squeezing using a centrifuge, and their attitude of always pursuing the highest quality has gained high praise from enthusiasts around the world.
Roman
ロ万 🏆 15 EC
Roman is a premium brand carrying the soul of Hanaizumi Shuzo, named after the brewers' pure passion that "Brewing is a romance." Characterized by a silky-smooth mouthfeel and a deep, gentle umami produced by the traditional "Mochigome Yondan" (sticky rice 4-stage brewing). Fruit aromas and refined acidity harmonize, creating a dramatic resonance even in the aftertaste. It is a supreme series embodying the pride and romance of Minami-Aizu.
Abukuma
あぶくま 🏆 10 EC
Abukuma is the flagship brand of Genba Honten, named after the rich nature of the Abukuma region where the brewery is located. It embodies the ideal of a "never-tiring food-pairing sake" pursued by owner-brewer Yujiro Genba. A pleasant harmony is found between the swelling rice umami characteristic of local "Yume-no-Ka" and the soft mouthfeel born from Abukuma's underground water. Reliant on essential quality rather than flashy aromas, its balanced nature straightly draws out the materials' goodness, becoming a regional pride that subtly yet richly colors the daily table.
Shiragiku
白菊 🏆 9"Shiragiku" is a traditional representative brand that has protected Hirose Shoten since its founding in the second year of Bunka (1805). It is brewed utilizing the high-quality brewing water of the Mt. Tsukuba water system and the cold climate of the region. Characterized by strong acidity and a rich, mellow taste, it combines umami and body that you will not get tired of drinking. It has been loved for many years as a "versatile sake" that can be enjoyed at any temperature from chilled to hot. With a solid body and firm acidity, it is a brand that continues to pursue the ideal form of sake that accompanies meals and richly colors the daily dining table.
Sake Hitosuji
酒一筋 🏆 12Sake Hitosuji is the flagship brand of Toshimori Shuzo, embodying the philosophy of "sincerely facing the task of sake brewing." The name reflects the passion of the Toji and workers who have dedicated their lives solely to brewing with 100% "Omachi rice." It is characterized by a mellow taste with plump umami and deep afterglow crafted with traditional Bitchu Toji techniques. With well-balanced acidity and sweetness, it is highly regarded as a food-pairing sake for Okayama's regional dishes.
Jikon
而今 🏆 9 EC
"Jikon" is a brand named from the Zen phrase "Not being trapped in the past or the future, living this moment hard now." Fresh and juicy fruitiness and clean acidity harmonize in an exquisite balance. The sweetness and umami that spread the moment you put it in your mouth captivate many sake fans. It is one of the masterpieces representing modern times, also known as a premium sake that is difficult to obtain.
Haneya
羽根屋 🏆 21 EC
Haneya is an innovative brand from Fumigiku Shuzo, created with the concept of 'sake that makes the drinker's heart soar, like wings taking flight.' The essence of Haneya lies in its 'Shiki-jozo' method, where every batch is treated with the same care as Daiginjo, and only the 'Nakagumi' (middle press)—the highest quality part of the pressing—is used. It features an elegant ginjo aroma, a silky mouthfeel, and a solid body that finishes with a crisp, clean disappearance. Haneya has won numerous international accolades, including Platinum and Jury Awards at Kura Master, making it a globally recognized icon of Toyama's innovative craftsmanship.
Sawanoi
澤乃井 🏆 14 EC
Sawanoi is the signature brand of Ozawa Shuzo, symbolizing over 300 years of tradition in Tokyo's Okutama region. The name originates from the area's historical name 'Sawai,' which signifies a place where high-quality water flows abundantly. The brand's hallmark is its unique use of two different water sources filtered through centuries-old stone strata, resulting in a sake with remarkable clarity, crispness, and a dignified character. Whether it's the famed Junmai Ginjo 'Soten'—celebrated for its elegant aroma and balanced umami—or their other refined offerings, Sawanoi has earned widespread acclaim at international competitions. It is a brand that evolved with the times while respecting its roots, standing as a proud ambassador of Tokyo's exquisite sake culture.
Kikuizumi
喜久泉 🏆 11 EC
"Kikuizumi" is one of the brands of Nishida Shuzoten, encompassing products like Daiginjo and Utou.
Akagisan
赤城山 🏆 9 ECThe signature brand of Kondo Shuzo, brewed at the foot of Mount Akagi and characterized by a steadfast commitment to the dry (karakuchi) style. Crafted with Mount Akagi's underground spring water, it offers a crisp, sharp finish that beautifully complements food. The brand's concept is "a sake that never tires the palate and is meant to be enjoyed with a meal," making it a versatile choice for diverse cuisines.
Kokuryu
黒龍 🏆 18 EC
"Kokuryu" is the flagship brand representing the soul of Kokuryu Shuzo, named after the ancient name of the Kuzuryu River flowing nearby, "Kokuryu River." With the theme of "A cup connected to eternity," the sake brewed with high-quality water, rice, and skilled techniques has a delicate and profound taste. It is an exquisite piece, often called a work of art of sake, characterized by a smooth texture like silk and an elegant aroma.
Ayakiku
綾菊 🏆 11Ayakiku is a traditional brand representing Ayakiku Shuzo, founded in 1790 (Kansei 2). Practicing sake brewing that maximizes the blessings of the local area, using the underground water of the Ayagawa River flowing from the Asan Mountains and Kagawa Prefecture's rice 'Oseto'. It is characterized by a mellow aroma and a refreshing sharpness. Developing products using Sanuki Olive Yeast, it is one of the local sakes representing Kagawa Prefecture, continuing innovative challenges while protecting tradition.
Sawahime
澤姫 🏆 11"Sawahime" is the flagship brand embodying the "Real Local Sake Declaration" of Inoue Seikichi Shoten. Taking "Sawa" (stream) from the local place name Shirasawa and "Hime" (princess) as a symbol of being loved, it was named with the aim of achieving an elegant flavor reminiscent of a clear stream. Deeply committed to Tochigi's sake rice, water, and local yeast, and brewed using 100% Tochigi-grown rice, this sake boasts world-recognized quality, having twice won the top prize at the International Wine Challenge (IWC). It features an exquisite balance of plump rice umami and a crisp finish, making it an ultimate local sake where the soul of Tochigi resides.
Matsumine no Fuji
松嶺の富士 🏆 11Matsumine no Fuji is a brand symbolizing Matsuyama Shuzo's tradition, carrying the beauty of Fuji seen from a pine ridge and regional pride in its name. It sublimates Shonai's rich harvests and Mt. Chokai's blessings into a harmonious, deep flavor through careful manual labor. Its quality, where a calm aroma and the original umami of rice gently expand, richly colors daily dining tables and is full of warmth that reminds one of hometown scenery.