Brands

Koganesawa is the flagship brand of Kawakei Shoten, named after the stream where gold flowed near Wakuya Town, the oldest gold production site in Japan, which was also mentioned in the Man'yoshu. They specialize in Yamahai brewing, and their technique of finishing Yamahai sake, which is generally considered to be heavy and complex, into a surprisingly light and clean taste shines. As a member of the DATE SEVEN project, they are leading sake brewing in Miyagi along with talented breweries in Miyagi Prefecture.

"Kaishu Sanjin" is a brand named to commemorate Katsu Kaishu's visit and stay at this brewery. It is an ultimate Daiginjo sake brewed using the highest grade raw rice, Yamada Nishiki, polished to 35%, using ancient traditional methods. It is characterized by a fruity aroma and a refreshing yet deep taste. It is a masterpiece of Baba Honten Shuzo that you want to taste while thinking about the hero of the Bakumatsu period.

Abekan is the flagship brand bearing the brewer's name, centered on Junmai Karakuchi (dry pure rice sake). While inheriting the tradition of brewing for over 300 years in the port town of Shiogama, they pursue a clean and savory sake quality that suits the modern dining table. Typical of Shiogama, where many local sushi restaurants line the streets, it is designed as "sake that makes local fish delicious," considering compatibility with fish dishes first. Its refreshing sharpness and moderate acidity enhance the umami of the fish, providing a refreshing sensation that cleanly washes away oils.

"Banshu Ikkon" is the representative brand of Sanyouhai Sake Brewery, and is a brand name with the meaning of "Please have a cup of Banshu sake made with Banshu rice and water." Sake brewed with underground water (soft water) of Mount Hyono and traditional techniques of Tajima Toji is characterized by a balance of firm umami and moderate acidity. With Daiginjo "Fukuroshibori Tobin-dori" at the pinnacle, it offers a variety of products such as Junmai Ginjo "Sennen no Fuji" and "Kaede no Shizuku", and Daiginjo "Myojugura" (mine aged). Emphasizing the design as a sake to accompany meals, the taste that harmonizes with the food culture of Banshu is highly evaluated mainly in the local area.

"Kamaya Shinpachi" is the premium brand of Kamaya that bears the founder's name and pursues a return to origins, which is the soul of the brewery. Fusing Saitama-produced sake rice and traditional brewing techniques and polished with modern sensitivity, its flavor has both the vitality of rice and sophisticated crispness. A supreme local sake where passion resides in every drop, embodying deep respect for history and challenges for the next generation.

"Soka Osakaya" is a premium brand praising the roots of the brewery, derived from the trade name "Osakaya" of the Chobei family that owns Ozeki. Bearing the name of the founding family, it is developed as a high-end sake that values tradition and formality.

"Biden" is a brand meaning "Beautiful Rice Field," named with gratitude for the rich rural landscape of Tachiarai Town and high-quality rice. As a main brand of Miinokotobuki alongside "Miinokotobuki," it develops sake brewing centered on Junmai sake. Brewed with a method that fuses scientific data management and traditional Toji skills, it is characterized by clear and balanced sake quality. While utilizing the umami of rice, the finish is refreshing, accompanying a wide range of dishes as a food sake. Highly praised at international competitions, it boasts quality recognized worldwide. It is a brand where the passion for the beautiful rural landscape of the region and sake brewing has born fruit.

"Takenosono" is a historic brand named to commemorate the enthronement of the Emperor. It contains the wish to aim for sake that is supple and full of vitality like bamboo. Its flavor, which is easy to pair with any dish and never gets tiring, has been loved locally for many years.

Shuhai is one of Chiyonosono Shuzo's brands, an elegant sake befitting celebratory occasions. It features a refined aroma and a smooth mouthfeel, and is cherished as a toast sake for special occasions. With a well-balanced flavor, it can also be enjoyed as a food-pairing sake that enhances cuisine.

Hojun is the flagship brand of Komatsu Shuzo Jo, crafted with the aim of being "a supporting-role sake that pairs well with oily dishes and richly seasoned cuisine." Approximately 70% of the brewing rice is locally sourced, primarily using Oita Prefecture's unique sake rice varieties Oita Mitsui and Gin no Sato. The brewery practices sake-making with restrained aromas, emphasizing a balance of moderate acidity and umami. Centered on the rich dry type with a crisp finish, it delivers a transparent flavor that lets the umami of rice come through, achieving optimal balance as a food-pairing sake. The Tokubetsu Junmai rich dry version uses Yamada Nishiki at 60% polishing ratio. The Ori-garami Nama-zake using Gin no Sato offers melon and muscat-like aromas. The Junmai Ginjo Omachi is available in both unpasteurized and pasteurized versions.

"Rihachi" is the flagship brand of Tanabe Takeshita Shuzo, named after the head of the Takeshita family, "Rihachi Takeshita." It made a striking debut, with its first brew, "Test Brewing" (Shikenjozo), winning the highest gold prize in a competition. It features a refreshing muscat-like aroma and a fresh mouthfeel with a slight fizz. It is a sophisticated taste with no miscellaneous flavors, conveying the umami of rice straight. It is a remarkable masterpiece leading the sake scene of the new era.

"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.

"Tombo" (Dragonfly) is a brand centered on Tokubetsu Junmai sake, brewed by polishing Yumeikkon rice to 60%. The brand name Tombo has been considered an auspicious creature serving gods since ancient times and is also called "Victory Insect" (Kachimushi) because it only moves forward. As per the concept of "drink smoothly," it is characterized by refreshing umami of rice and a sharp finish. The appearance of a dragonfly flying lightly as if sliding on the water surface is superimposed on the comfort of drinking. Using the underground water of the Yabe River, it is finished with a refreshing sake quality. It enhances dishes as a food sake, and the balanced taste that you never get tired of drinking is attractive.

Named after the brewer's lifestyle of "Standing in the fields in summer, confined to the brewery in winter," this is the premium series of Asamai Shuzo. Using top-quality rice grown in their own or contracted fields, they practice strictly limited production to express the rice's personality in every drop. Their passion, from soil preparation to bottling, creates an incredibly transparent, refined taste and a deep finish that feels like the energy of the earth.

"Mujou" is a brand bearing the name of the brewery's core belief, 'brewing dreams.' Carefully crafted through traditional winter brewing, its flavor harmonizes the powerful umami of rice with a delicate aroma. It is characterized by a rich aftertaste that makes the drinker feel as if they are in a dreamlike state.

"Rumiko no Sake" is a popular brand, which can be said to be the face of the brewery, bearing the name of the brewery owner and toji, Rumiko Moriki. Named by Akira Oze, the author of the manga "Natsuko's Sake," who also handled the label illustration. Full of tenderness from being handmade and the umami of rice unique to junmai sake. Along with the label that has a story, it is a bottle you want to taste while feeling the passion of the maker.

"Ikekumo" is the brand symbolizing Ikeda Shuzo, named after the pond-like clouds floating in Maizuru's sky and the scene of the Yura River flowing near the brewery. Finished with local ingredients of Maizuru-produced rice and Yura River's underflow water through Junmai brewing without any additives, it is characterized by a deep taste woven by the strong umami of rice and flexible acidity. While having a sharp finish that stays close to fish dishes unique to the sea town, the mellow aroma spreading over time represents Maizuru's rich nature itself. It is a cup where one feels the soul of Sea Kyoto, Maizuru, filled with the passion of the revived brewery.

"Jujiasahi" is the signboard brand of Asahi Shuzo, named with the hope that it will rise vigorously like the "Asahi" (morning sun). The name combined with the family crest of "Kiritake Yahazu Juji" also contains a wish for the prosperity of the family. The lineup centered on Kimoto-zukuri gathers enthusiastic support from hot sake fans nationwide as sake that "raises with heating" (Kan-agari), which increases umami even more by heating.

Murashige is a confident creation bearing the name of Murashige Shuzo. It is carefully brewed using traditional techniques, using clear water from the upper reaches of the Nishiki River in Iwakuni City and locally produced sake rice such as Yamaguchi Prefecture's 'Saito no Shizuku'. Characterized by the umami of rice and a gentle aroma, they pursue a taste that you will never get tired of drinking. As a sake that accompanies the daily dining table, it is a brand that has been loved by the people of Iwakuni for a long time.

"Korokan" is a Junmai Daiginjo brewed with Yamada Nishiki polished to 45%, characterized by a moderate fragrance and a charming, sweet taste. The brand name is derived from the ancient diplomatic facility "Korokan," positioned as sake fragrant with history and culture. Fukuoka has flourished as a gateway for exchange with the continent since ancient times, and Korokan was its symbolic existence. When tasted, a gorgeous ginjo aroma spreads, and the flavor harmonizing rice umami and elegant sweetness symbolizes the "slightly sweet and plump" style that Hananotsuyu aims for. The delicate yet substantial flavor is preferred for special occasions and as gifts. It is an elegant and prestigious brand incorporating the history and culture of ancient Fukuoka into sake brewing.

"Akakabe" is a traditional brand inherited from the former Akakabe Shuzo. Its name is said to originate from the red walls that were characteristic of the brewery. It features a firm richness and umami, yet a sharp finish. It continues to protect a nostalgic yet unfading flavor that impresses fans from the past.

"Nihonbashi" is the flagship brand symbolizing the over 200-year history of Yokota Shuzo. It was named with the feeling of "never forget the original intention" so as not to forget the debt to the sake wholesaler in Nihonbashi, Edo, where the founder trained. Brewed with outstanding skills shining in many gold medals at national-level awards, it features rich rice umami and an elegant aftertaste. A famous sake where tradition and pride breathe, having carefully inherited the name "Nihonbashi" until today while being in Saitama Prefecture.

Kakurei is the flagship brand of Aoki Shuzo, named by Suzuki Bokushi, the author of 'Hokuetsu Seppu.' It is an auspicious name associated with the longevity of the crane, imbued with long history and tradition. Using the rich nature of Minami Uonuma and the pure meltwater of Mt. Makihata, it features a delicate flavor unique to the snow country. While light (Tanrei), the umami of the rice is firmly felt, creating an excellent balance as a food sake. It is a dignified sake produced by Aoki Shuzo's traditional brewing techniques and the terroir of the snow country.

"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.

Myokosan is the flagship brand of Myoko Shuzo, bearing the name of the sacred peak—the pride of the region. Using pure water from the Myoko mountain range and carefully selected sake rice, it is characterized by a crisp, refreshing quality where the gentle umami of rice lives within. Its flavor perfectly symbolizes the dignified air and rich natural blessings of Myoko. Valuing harmony with food culture, it is widely loved not only locally but also as a representative craft sake of Niigata.