Brands

"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.

"Hokkan" is the signature brand of Hokkan Shuzo, named with the goal of being the "Superior Sake that serves as the Crown (Kan) of Northern Kanto." It boasts stable and high quality by merging traditional skills inherited since the Tenpo era with modern, precise data management. Using groundwater nurtured by Tochigi's rich nature and high-quality rice, its greatest features are a calm, elegant aroma and a full-bodied flavor where the umami of the rice is perfectly harmonized. The crisp finish makes it an excellent food-pairing sake, complementing a wide range of cuisines from Japanese to Western and Chinese. From daily evening drinks to special occasions, it is a leading brand of Tochigi that remains close to people's lives and continues to provide enjoyment.

"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.

"Wakasakari" is the crystallization of the traditions that Nishibori Shuzo has protected. As the name suggests, it symbolizes youthful vitality and the peak season when sake is at its most delicious, having been cherished in local Oyama for generations. Based on honest brewing using traditional methods, it features a highly balanced flavor where a mellow aroma and a crisp finish are harmonized. It is an authentic sake packed with the brewery's technology and passion, richly coloring the daily dining table.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Chuai" is the flagship brand of Tomikawa Shuzo, brewed with "loyalty" (Chu) and "affection" (Ai), as its name suggests. It features a delicate and soft mouthfeel unique to the touch of a female Toji. It is carefully brewed using strictly selected high-quality sake rice and underflow water from the Shojinzawa spring. The Junmai Ginjo class sake, in particular, is charming with its fruity, gorgeous aroma and transparent sweetness. Combining a gentleness that snuggles up to the drinker's heart with a core of strength, it is a heartwarming food-pairing sake that goes excellently with meals.

"Tomikawa" is another flagship brand bearing the brewery's name. It was named with the wish to be "rich and prosperous, like a beautiful river." Brewed using rice and water nurtured by the land of Yaita and traditional techniques, this sake features a harmony of crisp finish and the natural umami of rice. It can be enjoyed at a wide range of temperatures, from chilled to hot sake, and is a light and dry yet flavorful sake that you will never tire of drinking, perfect for daily evening drinks.

"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."