Brands

Sugi no Tsuyu (Dew from the Cedar) is the flagship brand of Hayashi Shuzojo, imaging a single drop of pure dew dripping from a cedar grove. Brewed using traditional 'Kanzukuri,' this sake features a simple yet stout, mellow flavor, where the rice umami polished to 60% is brought out through the power of lactic acid. The exquisite balance between the rich sweetness that spreads the moment it enters the mouth and the gentle acidity that tightens it, followed by a surprisingly clean finish, is remarkable. This is the essence of honest Echigo local sake, loved for many years in local evening drink scenes without pretense.

Hachikoku is a brand named after the 518-meter-high Mount Hachikoku that rises behind the brewery and separates Kashiwazaki and Nagaoka. Bearing the name of a symbol of regional nature, this local sake is a fusion of pure water—the bounty of the mountains—and the sincere skills of the brewers. The lineup, centered on Honjozo, is characterized by a flavor designed to be enjoyed with daily meals, making it impossible to grow tired of. Its qualities, somewhat simple and warm as if reflecting the mountain's strength and gentleness, allow one to feel the very climate of Kashiwazaki.

Hime no I is the flagship brand symbolizing the tradition and innovation of Ishizuka Shuzo. Its most distinctive feature lies in the time-consuming 'four-step brewing using glutinous rice in the fourth step.' Through this, the rice's inherent lustrous sweetness and deep richness perform an exquisite harmony. They have established an original style of 'Noko Karakuchi' (rich and dry) that provides a sharp finish rather than just being sweet. Widely supported in local Kashiwazaki as the 'spring-herald sake' that arrives in early spring, its broad flavor profile richly colors various dining scenes from sashimi to hearty stewed dishes.

Kameguchi-zake is a brand that can be called the origin of Ishizuka Shuzo, named after the 'kameguchi' (vat mouth) where sake first comes out when pressing the moromi (mash). It features a lively, freshly-pressed taste where the dense umami from four-step brewing with glutinous rice is concentrated. Its quality, which is rich yet surprisingly clean and sharp in the finish, makes one feel the strength nurtured by the severe nature of a heavy snowfall region. The balance of powerful yet delicate sweetness and richness, created by traditional brewing methods and pure spring water of Takayanagi, has a mysterious charm that becomes addictive once tasted.

Midorikawa is the main brand of Midorikawa Shuzo, captivating many sake fans with its transparent and clear flavor. While pursuing the 'Tanrei' quality typical of Echigo sake, it is not just dry; the gentle sweetness and umami of rice are melted in with great balance. Of particular note is its smooth mouthfeel. Shipped after careful maturation through low-temperature storage, the lack of rough edges upon entering the mouth and the clean finish that seems to vanish instantly are excellent. It is a refined brand as if the pure water and air of Uonuma were bottled exactly as they are.

Echigo Samurai is an innovative brand of Tamagawa Shuzo that shocked the world with a surprising '46% alcohol' specification, breaking common sense for sake. Pursuing sake brewing techniques to the limit, it achieves a refined deliciousness that doesn't feel rough despite its high alcohol content. Its most distinctive feature is its mysterious charm as 'non-freezing sake' that doesn't freeze even at sub-zero temperatures. The smooth mouthfeel that belies its high percentage and the refreshing stimulation that spreads after passing the throat make one feel a strength and purity like a samurai. It is a cup of sake that proposes a new style of sake, enjoyable on the rocks, with water, or even as a cocktail base.

A brand that utilizes Iwate Prefecture's sake rice and the local terroir, developed as one of Kikunotsukasa Shuzo's diverse lineup. It is a sake that values regionality, fusing Iwate's rich nature with traditional brewing techniques.

Echigo no Choja is a community-based brand of Niigata Meijo, bearing a name that symbolizes the rich nature and prosperity of Niigata (Echigo). It pursues a refinement typical of Niigata sake, where the inherent flavor of rice lives, providing a plump umami while the aftertaste vanishes smoothly. Insisting on local ingredients from Ojiya and brewed with techniques cultivated over many years, this sake is supported as a high-quality bottle that adds flair to daily meals. Its versatile flavor, good both chilled and warmed, connects regional bonds and warmly envelops dining scenes, truly a brand concentrating the blessings of Echigo.

Fuyushogun (General Winter/Old Man Winter) is a seasonal brand of Niigata Meijo that powerfully symbolizes the arrival of Niigata's snowy winter. Befitting its brave name, this sake brewed amidst the severe winter cold features a fresh aroma and rich flavor. Its particularly popular Nigori (cloudy) sake maintains an exquisite balance between a smooth mouthfeel where rice sweetness is concentrated and a refreshing stimulation when passing the throat. It pairs perfectly with nabe (hot pot) dishes, a winter delicacy, and provides a joy unique to snow country, as if warming your heart and body from the core in contrast to the cold outside air.

Hina no Yukigura is a brand that concentrates the essence of snow storage technology cultivated by Takanoi Shuzo. By letting it sleep in a quiet snow cellar in a mountain village (Hina), it gives the sake a deep peace and maturity. The constant low temperature and high humidity unique to the snow cellar advance the maturation of the sake slowly and surely. The dignified refreshing feeling that spreads the moment it enters the mouth, followed by a calm and deep umami, is as if tasting the winter of the snow country itself. It is an emotionally rich bottle one would want to enjoy with luxurious time.

Ryoga is a premium brand born from the challenging spirit of 'surpassing and running beyond' (Ryoga) existing frameworks based on techniques and experience cultivated by Matsunoi Shuzojo. While maintaining the traditional brewery's stance, it pursues high-quality brewing with new sensibilities. Brewed slowly at low temperatures with carefully polished sake rice, this sake features a flowery and transparent aroma and a refined clear flavor. This brand, filled with the brewery's pride, is a cup like a work of art that brings out the maximum potential of the sake itself. It is a brand filled with passion to carve out the future of sake.

Eiho is the highest-grade brand concentrated with the essence of the brewery's technology and tradition, bearing the name of Eiho Furusawa, the founder of Matsunoi Shuzojo. To record the founder's name is a mark of maximum confidence and responsibility from the brewery. It is truly a masterpiece representing the history of Matsunoi itself. Brewed with all their strength by the brewers during the severe cold using 'Koshi Tanrei' sake rice from Niigata polished to 35%, this Junmai Daiginjo features a flowery and dignified aroma and an incredibly smooth, silk-like profound flavor. It is a work of art of sake that Tokamachi is proud of, suitable for celebratory cups on special days or gifts for important people.

Nechi is a world-standard premium brand expressing the culmination of the 'Domaine' (estate-owned land) style advocated by Watanabe Shuzoten. By using only rice harvested from specific rice fields in Nechi Valley where the brewery is located and consistently managing everything from cultivation to brewing, it pursues the ultimate terroir. Displaying a 'Vintage' (harvest year) like wine, its greatest feature is a flavor that maximizes the individuality of rice created by each year's climate. The quality, brewed through precise temperature control and careful manual labor, possesses overwhelming transparency and refined elegance. It is a brand that opens up new possibilities for sake, sealing the land's story into every drop.

Nechi Otokoyama is a brand that can be called the origin of Watanabe Shuzoten, fusing the strength of traditional brewing with the pure nature of Nechi Valley. It has been deeply loved locally even before the establishment of the Domaine style and passed down as a regional pride. Focusing on estate-grown rice, it features a balanced quality achieving both powerful umami and a sharp clean finish. While having the powerfulness that makes one feel the inherent vitality of rice, the aftertaste is infinitely pure. It harmonizes brilliantly with any dish and brings a sense of security and richness to the dining table. It is a trusted long-selling brand where the belief of 'brewing the land' lives.

Katanoi is a representative brand named by combining the 'Gata' (lagoon) of Ogata-ku, where Koyama Shuzoten is located, and 'I' (well), the lifeblood of brewing. It contains gratitude for the beautiful scenery of Ogata, where many lagoons were once scattered, and for the high-quality water nurtured by the earth. Its quality is characterized as 'Tanrei Umakuchi,' where the mellow umami of rice perfectly melts into the clean and light mouthfeel typical of Niigata sake. Its versatility, being delicious both chilled for a sharp taste and warmed for a plump flavor, is also attractive. It is loved as a great supporting player at the dining table, enhancing local dishes blessed with seafood.

Echigo Jiman is a representative brand brewed by Koyama Shuzoten with pride in the history of Echigo (Niigata) and their own skills. It features a sincere flavor that directly shapes the brewery's philosophy of 'careful brewing without cutting corners.' Niigata-grown sake rice is brewed with underground water from the sacred Mt. Yoneyama and carefully matured using traditional handmade methods. While based on the 'Tanrei' sharpness typical of Niigata sake, it pursues a balanced quality that lets one feel the solid presence and umami of rice. It combines the approachability of a daily evening drink with the dignity suitable for special occasions. The 'pride' (Jiman) of the flavor nurtured by the terroir of Echigo has been loved by many local drinkers for years and is familiar as the face of the community-based brewery.

Haruki is a dedicated brand carving out the future of the brewery, bearing the name of Takeda Haruki, the ninth-generation owner of Takeda Shuzoten. Pouring all his passion and skills as a master brewer responsible for the next generation, it was born as a special bottle where the inheritance of tradition and new challenges fuse. While based on the supreme sweet style that 'Katafune' has protected, it adds a modern refined sensibility. It features a dignified core within the sweetness and an afterglow that resonates incredibly beautifully. The brewer's stance of pursuing sake that he himself can truly call 'delicious' and pouring his soul into every bottle has captured the hearts of many sake fans. It is a brand showing a new frontier for Takeda Shuzoten, shedding new light on tradition.

Sesshu is a brand familiar as a sake that stays close to the local daily life, based on the knowledge of sweet sake brewing cultivated by Takeda Shuzoten over many years. Like the master painter Sesshu of the Muromachi period, it pursues universal beauty and flavor loved across eras. It features a deep and mellow flavor that boasts outstanding compatibility with local Joetsu cuisine and home cooking with sweet and spicy seasoning. The attractiveness lies in the balance that maximizes the sweetness of rice, which only a brewery sticking to sweet style for over 150 years can achieve. It is a trusted long-selling brand that continues to be chosen by local people as 'the usual delicious sake.'

Kubiki is the signature brand symbolizing Kubiki Shuzo, its name deriving from the ancient name of the Joetsu region. Missioned to convey the regional history and terroir to the present, it is a sake that condenses the blessings of the rich land of local Kakizaki into every drop. While light, it features a balanced quality where the powerful umami of rice is firmly alive. Designed in pursuit of perfect harmony with meals, every sip enhances the attractiveness of dishes and invites the next sip. It is an orthodox brand filled with the brewery's pride, embodying a sincere brewing stance in harmony with the nature of Kakizaki.

A brand that challenges the potential of adding brewer's alcohol by reconsidering the technique in a modern way. With a flavor design that exceeds the concept of conventional Honjozo sake, it presents new possibilities for alcohol-added sake. It features a light and sharp mouthfeel and high cost performance, aiming for a sake quality that accompanies the daily dining table.

Echigo Toji no Sato is a brand named with deep respect for the professional brewers of Niigata, the Echigo Toji. The Kakizaki district is a historical base that has produced many famous Toji, and the soul of that tradition is passed down to modern brewing. Leveraging the traditional brewing techniques of Echigo Toji, it features a warm flavor of rice that makes one feel a sense of nostalgia. Staying close to local food culture, it has outstanding compatibility with Kakizaki regional cuisine and seafood. It is a simple and sturdy brand unique to Kakizaki, the 'hometown of toji,' conveying regional culture and pride to future generations.

Chibitagawa is the signature brand representing Yoyogiku Jozo, its name deriving from the 'Chibitagawa' spring at the foot of Mt. Yoneyama. This pure water, which has a legend of being praised as the 'miraculous water of eternal youth' by the famous Edo-era monk Ryokan, is the source of their brewing. Its greatest feature is a silky smooth and gentle mouthfeel that maximizes the characteristics of Mt. Yoneyama's underground water (ultra-soft water). The pure sweetness of rice spreads softly, and the aftertaste is crystal clear. It is one of the famous sakes representing Joetsu, created by the natural blessings of Kakizaki and careful work using traditional 'Funashibori' pressing.

Gataichi is one of the signature brands of Kato Shuzo, a local sake bearing the name of 'Gata' (lagoon) that symbolizes the Joetsu region. Affection for the regional landscape and history, which once had scattered lagoons and was blessed with rich water, is contained in its name. In pursuit of a clean and light 'Tanrei' mouthfeel that one never tires of, so it can be enjoyed for daily evening drinks. Within that, a certain umami derived from rice can be felt, finishing into a flavor that provides comfort. It is a bottle loved as the closest existence to the local people, staying close to the nature and food of Yoshikawa-ku.

Kiyomasa is a mainstay brand that Kato Shuzo has carefully brewed for many years, its name said to derive from the Sengoku military commander Kato Kiyomasa. It is a sake possessing both a firm core of strength and a pure sharpness, overlapping with the image of a military commander. Using sake rice from local Yoshikawa-ku and clear water, it is carefully finished with traditional brewing methods. Its characteristic is a balance that does not interfere with dishes but rather enhances their flavor, making it a versatile quality that can be enjoyed with daily meals. It is a trusted brand long loved locally, embodying the pride of the brewery rooted in the region.