Brands

"Kuji no Yama" is a brand that symbolizes history and tradition, brewed for over 400 years by Nemoto Shuzo, founded in 1603. The name embodies respect for the grand nature of Okukuji and the wish for unwavering quality. It is created through the trinity of the "Goshinsui" (sacred water) of Komagata Shrine, which is famous as excellent water, carefully selected sake rice nurtured by the fertile land, and the skills of master brewers. Featuring a crisp mouthfeel with rich umami spreading through (Danrei Karakuchi), it has colored the banquets and daily moments of local people for many years. It is a masterpiece with tradition and prestige that tells the history of sake brewing in Ibaraki.

"Asahizakura" is the signature brand of Kahoku Shuzo, founded in 1896. It was named after the beauty of cherry blossoms blooming along the Asahi River, which used to flow near the brewery, shining in the morning sun. It use the fresh underground water of the Kuji River in Daigo-machi, famous for "Fukuroda Falls," one of Japan's three major waterfalls. The drastic temperature difference unique to the basin brings deep flavor and sharpness to the sake. While it is crisp and dry (Danrei Karakuchi), it features a fruity umami and good balance nurtured by aging. It is a handmade masterpiece full of passion, nurtured by the rich nature of Okukuji and more than 100 years of history.

"Seikoshu" is a traditional lineup of Kahoku Shuzo, including Honjozo sake. It is a drink that captures the pure and transparent aroma and taste created by the fresh water and air of Okukuji. The brewery's gallery displays calligraphy of celebrities who wrote the letters for this brand, conveying the cultural value deeply rooted in the region today. Characterized by a gentle and elegant aroma, it is a standard local sake that has been loved for many years by the people of Daigo-machi, staying close to the daily dining table.

"Tsukiorehime" is an elegant and mysterious brand that symbolizes the cultural and artistic background of Kahoku Shuzo. Its name is derived from a painting by Suzuki Koson (a painter of the Maruyama-Shijo school) displayed in the brewery's gallery, expressing the fusion of historical artwork and sake. It is brewed with the aim of a delicate and modest taste, like a princess standing under the moonlight. The fresh water of Okukuji supports its transparent quality. As a brand that combines narrative and artistry, it plays a role in conveying the rich culture and traditional aesthetic sense of Daigo-machi to sake fans both in Japan and overseas.

"Yodo no Taki" (The Waterfall of Four Times) is the highest-grade brand of Kakucho Honten, founded in 1868. Its name is derived from "Yodo no Taki," which is another name for Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan's three major waterfalls located in Daigo-machi. Just as Fukuroda Falls shows its beauty four times in each season, this sake aims for a delicate and profound taste, brewed only during the severe winter in Okukuji Daigo. The Daiginjo sake, woven by the fresh underground water of the Yamizo mountain range and traditional skills, features a noble and gorgeous aroma and a crystalline mouthfeel. Bearing the name of the famous waterfall, a symbol of the region, this sake is truly loved as a special drink that encapsulates the climate and history of Daigo-machi.

"Kakucho" is the representative brand bearing the house name of Kakucho Honten, which has its roots in the late Edo period and was established as a full-scale brewery in 1868. It is a traditional drink with an auspicious name that embodies the wish for the "family (ka) to prosper long (ku) and forever (cho)." Using the fresh underground water of the Yamizo mountain range in Okukuji Daigo and carefully handmade during the severe winter, its taste lets you feel the rich umami of rice within a crisp and sharp dry (Danrei Karakuchi) profile. It has long been close to the lives of local people, coloring celebratory occasions and daily dining tables. It is a historic local sake that symbolizes the traditional methods passed down through generations and the rich climate of Ibaraki.

"Reisui Yamizo" (Sacred Water of Yamizo) is a Junmai brand that makes the most of the fresh water springing from the sacred peaks of the Yamizo mountain range. As the name "Reisui" indicates, it expresses the characteristics of the excellent water believed to have sacred and special power within the sake. Using soft water from the Yamizo mountain range, which is selected as one of the top 100 waters, it features a delicate and modest taste brewed through the harmony of the cool air of "Yamizo Oroshi" and Ibaraki yeast. The pure quality, as if the excellence of water nurtured by the rich nature of Daigo-machi were bottled as is, is highly evaluated by sake fans who love the individuality of water.

"Kitsuregawa Yasuragi no Sato" is a brand by Toraya Honten, brewed with affection for the local region. It was named after the relaxing scenery of the Kitsuregawa area near Utsunomiya. Drawing on the traditional techniques of Toraya Honten, the sake aims for an approachable flavor enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Using Utsunomiya's famous "Nijinoi" water, it is characterized by a soft mouthfeel and a gentle aroma. Presented as a drink that lets you feel the local climate, it colors travel memories and daily dining tables in the region.

"Nijinoi" is a prestigious brand named after the famous water source "Nijinoi," which is the starting point of Toraya Honten's founding. In 1788, the first generation of Omi merchants began brewing sake, impressed by the excellence of this water springing up in Utsunomiya, marking the beginning of the brewery's history. "Nijinoi" is known as one of Utsunomiya's seven famous waters, "Nanamizu." Brewed with gratitude for the blessing of water that is the origin of the brewery, this brand is characterized by a transparent and pure taste. It is an iconic brand that can be called the soul of Toraya Honten, conveying the memory of the famous water preserved in the heart of Utsunomiya and more than 230 years of tradition to the present day.

"Kiku" is an iconic flagship brand of Toraya Honten, a traditional brand that conveys the long history of the brewery to the present. It is highly evaluated internationally, including receiving gold medals at the International Wine Challenge (IWC). The chrysanthemum (Kiku) is an emblem representing the Japanese Imperial Family and has been loved as a noble and pure flower. This brand embodies the desire to aim for an elegant taste that follows the royal road of sake. Using the historic famous water "Nijinoi" that continues to spring in the heart of Utsunomiya, it achieves a refined and dignified sake quality. It is a drink that symbolizes the quality and pride of Toraya Honten, loved by sake fans not only in Tochigi Prefecture but all over the world.

"Shichisui" is the flagship brand of Toraya Honten and a notable brand that continues to innovate in the contemporary sake scene. The name is derived from "Nanamizu," a collective term for the seven famous waters passed down in Utsunomiya since ancient times. Since its birth in the 2000s as a new line centered on pure rice sake, it quickly gained popularity. It has proven its world-class quality by receiving the Sake of the Year award, the highest honor, at the "Oriental Sake Awards," one of the largest competitions in Asia. With the concept of "exciting sake," the brewery pursues brewing that maximizes the energy, umami, and aroma of sake rice. The drinkable quality that harmonizes bright, fresh flavors with the umami of rice symbolizes Toraya Honten's challenge—to protect tradition while never fearing evolution.

"Nanatsuido" is a brand that was once brewed by Kobayashi Mokusaburo Shoten in Utsunomiya City. Currently out of business, it remains a valuable record conveying the history of sake in Tochigi Prefecture. The name "Nanatsuido" evokes the "Nanamizu" (seven famous waters) of Utsunomiya, symbolizing the brewery's stance of coexisting with the city's rich water culture. Utsunomiya's high-quality groundwater has supported sake brewing for centuries. Even after the brewery's closure, this brand is passed down as a local sake once brewed in the heart of Tochigi, alongside the history of the region.

"Daieiyu" is a brand once brewed by Kobayashi Mokusaburo Shoten in Utsunomiya City, featuring a powerful and heroic name. It is no longer produced due to the brewery's closure. Literally meaning "great heroic courage," the name "Daieiyu" evokes a robust flavor that seems to energize the drinker. This naming reflects the cultural background of sake from the Meiji to Showa eras, conveying an aesthetic of simplicity, fortitude, and good fortune valued at the time. In Utsunomiya, the heart of Tochigi Prefecture, this brand was once loved by locals and remains remembered as a historical fragment telling the story of Tochigi's sake industry even after its closure.

"Uroko" is the synonymous brand for "Cave Aged Sake," which Shimazaki Shuzo has pioneered in Japan. Based on Yamahai-shikomi, a traditional technique since the brewery's founding in 1849, it is completed through long-term aging in a cave that was formerly an underground factory for tank manufacturing. Inside the cave, the temperature remains extremely stable at around 10°C year-round, in an ideal environment completely shielded from sunlight. This "Cave Aging" eliminates the roughness of new sake, creating a deep richness and a silk-like smooth finish that cannot be achieved through conventional storage. The mellow flavor brewed by the magic of time is truly a luxurious cup for adults. From chilling it for freshness to enjoying the full-bodied aroma and umami at a lukewarm temperature, it shows various expressions depending on the temperature, embodying the passion of Shimazaki Shuzo.

"Kiwami Itteki Shizukuzake" is the ultimate Daiginjo, concentrating the essence of Shimazaki Shuzo's technology. As the name suggests, it is made using the "Fukuro-tsuri" (hanging bag) method, where moromi (fermenting mash) is put in bags, and only the drops that drip naturally without any pressure are luxuriously collected drop by drop. Through this time-consuming process, the original umami and gorgeous aroma of the rice are extracted in their purest form, creating a clear taste with no miscellaneous flavors. The quality, blending the nature of Nasukarasuyama, the heart of the brewer, and luxurious techniques, is truly worthy of the name "Kiwami" (Ultimate). Chosen for special occasions and gifts for loved ones, it is a sake that can be called the highest masterpiece of Shimazaki Shuzo.

"Azumarikishi" is the flagship brand symbolizing the history and tradition of Shimazaki Shuzo. Since its founding in 1849, it has been loved in the local Nasukarasuyama. The name originated from the second-generation owner Kumakichi's deep love for sumo wrestling, with "Azuma" representing the Kanto region and "Rikishi" representing the spirit of protecting tradition with strength. Azumarikishi, sent out to the world after "Cave Aging," the synonym of Shimazaki Shuzo, boasts outstanding perfection, harmonizing clear water originating from Mt. Nasu with the mellow umami born through aging. It features a dignified taste and a rich finish that lets you feel the climate of Nasukarasuyama. It is one of the famous sakes representing Tochigi, a fusion of the skills of brewers cultivated through long history and the unique personality of cave aging.

"Hiroshige no Sato Ukiyozake" is an emotionally rich brand that fuses the climate of Nasukarasuyama with the art world of Utagawa Hiroshige, a leading artist of the Edo period. The Nakagawa River basin is known as a place associated with Hiroshige, and that historical background gives depth to this sake. Like the ukiyo-e painted by Utagawa Hiroshige, it has a refined quality that lets you feel the transitions of Japan's four seasons and the spirit of travel. After a quiet maturation period in the Cave Sake Cellar, complex and elegant flavors are brought out, just like the delicate colors in Hiroshige's paintings. With Hiroshige's works also used on labels, it is a culturally significant drink unique to Shimazaki Shuzo, allowing you to enjoy the chic Edo culture and the history of Karasuyama through both sight and taste.

"Shikisakura" is the flagship brand of Utsunomiya Shuzo and one of the famous sakes representing Tochigi, nurtured by more than 150 years of history. The name originated from a poem composed by the first-generation owner, embodying the wish to be a sake that is as beautiful as cherry blossoms throughout the four seasons and stays close to people's hearts. Using groundwater from the Kinugawa River (soft water) containing melted snow from the Nikko Mountains, it achieves a smooth and refined mouthfeel. Focusing on local sake rice and unique yeast from Tochigi Prefecture, it is characterized by an slightly dry yet mellow and full-bodied flavor. Its quality is internationally recognized, having been served in JAL's international First Class. It is a prestigious sake that can be enjoyed both for its crispness when chilled and its full-bodied umami when warmed.

"Tenkin" is the flagship brand representing Tonoike Shogoro Shoten, founded in 1829. It is a supreme sake conveyed to the present day by a venerable brewery with nearly 200 years of history while preserving traditional techniques. The name "Tenkin" literally means "celestial koto (Japanese harp) sound," aiming for a sake quality that is as beautiful and clear as its melody, harmoniously healing the listener's heart. Using high-quality water and rice from Tochigi, the brewery's sincere crafting—rooted in its Omi merchant heritage—creates a refined aroma and a taste free of impurities. Its light and crisp finish acts as a great supporting player that enhances the flavor of any dish. While carrying the weight of history, it gently stays close to daily dining tables, truly a brand that can be called a "heavenly blessing."