Brands

Taiheizakura is a brand of peace imbued with wishes for a tranquil world. Its charm lies in the plump rice umami and transparency unique to hand-made sake produced by 100% "tank pressing." A "casual local sake" that gently colors Iwaki's dining tables, staying close to any dish and never tiring the palate even after two or three cups.

Matabee is a brand symbolizing the hometown, deeply integrated into Iwaki's daily life. Brewed with techniques passed down over generations to live up to the name of the founder "Matabee," its taste exquisitely balances plump umami and a sharp finish. From Daiginjo to everyday sake, it is the ultimate standard overflowing with local love that best highlights Iwaki's seafood.

Shitokigawa is a local sake bearing the name of the clear stream flowing through southern Iwaki. It features a transparency that seems to reflect the shifting four seasons (four times) and a careful brewing where Nanbu TOJI's skills shine. A refreshing cup that lets one feel the blessings of Iwaki's rich nature, never tiring the palate.

Nakoso no Seki is a brand named after the historical landmark that became a poetic epithet (Utamakura) in the Heian period. This Junmai sake, luxuriously polished to a 55% ratio, features an apple-like fruity aroma and a mellow mouthfeel where sweetness and acidity are comfortably harmonized. A dignified local sake reminiscent of ancient scenes.

Seifuku is an auspicious brand imbued with the wish to bring "pure fortune" to the drinker. Possessing both the softness nurtured in Iwaki's warm land and a core strength that never tires the palate, it is loved as a cup that gently stays close to the regional food culture.

Shirafuji is the proud brand of Futaba Town with 300 years of history. Once on the verge of extinction due to the nuclear accident, the yeast rescued at the risk of life achieved a miraculous revival in Seattle after 12 years. Its taste, aiming for dignity like Mount Fuji, has now crossed borders and is loved worldwide as "SHIRAFUJI," conveying Fukushima's indomitable spirit.

Saburo was the flagship brand of Baba Shuzo Honten most familiar to the people of Namie Town. Its name symbolized friendliness and deep roots in the region, and its simple yet certain umami colored local dining tables. While it is no longer produced, it is remembered as a warm local sake that supported Namie's life.

Tanoshimi (written as 樂實) is a brand imbued with the brewery's wish to "make joy bear fruit." Its gentle taste born from the terroir of Namie Town, Futaba, delivered joy and satisfaction to people. Although its history was cut short by the disaster, it is a brand with a resonant name of hope that awakens memories of the hometown.

Tennozan is the flagship brand of Ueda Zenjiro Shoten. Fitting its name, which means a decisive turning point, it featured a powerful yet mellow rice umami. It is a cup symbolizing the hometown's memory that once delivered vitality and peace to Futaba's dining tables.

"Kappa Zakura" is one of the brands of Shihaizakura Shuzo and belongs to the brewery's "Shihaizakura" brand family. It is a friendly brand that values the Kappa (water imp) legend handed down in the local Toride City and regionality. Using high-quality water and carefully selected rice, it features a light and savory (tanrei umakuchi) sake quality that you will never get tired of drinking. It is attractive for its sharp aftertaste without added sugars and has been loved mainly in the local Toride City. They brew sake utilizing the abundant underground water of the Tone River and continue to protect the manufacturing method rooted in the region. As a daily sake that can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from chilled to warmed, it continues to color the local dining table.

"Kiritsukuba" is the representative brand of Urazato Shuzoten, a local sake brewed in Tsukuba City at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba. The brand name comes from the mist (kiri) that hangs over Mt. Tsukuba, and is deeply rooted in the natural environment of this region. It features a light, dry, and refreshing taste that enhances meals, and is consumed at a very high rate locally, making it a familiar brand rooted in the region. It is a brand fully developed by the 5th generation brewery head, Koji Urazato, and aims for sake brewing that expresses the climate of Tsukuba. Using underground water from Mt. Tsukuba and brewing taking advantage of the local climate, it is known as a "true local sake" with more than 90% consumed within Ibaraki Prefecture. Pursuing ease of drinking as a sake during meals, they finish it with a balanced sake quality that allows you to feel the original umami of rice while enhancing the taste of the dish. As a brand that walks with Tsukuba's food culture, it continues to be loved by locals.

"Fukuwarai" is a traditional brand of Urazato Shuzoten since its founding. The brand name contains the auspicious meaning of bringing smiles and good fortune, and is associated with the fun and happiness of "Fukuwarai" (a traditional Japanese New Year's game). As a brand that tells the history of Urazato Shuzoten, it has been loved locally for many years. Brewing sake utilizing the rich natural environment of Tsukuba and the underground water of Mt. Tsukuba, they pursue a taste that harmonizes with the local food culture. While inheriting the tradition since its founding, they also aim for a sake quality that suits modern tastes. Mainly in the local Tsukuba City, it is enjoyed in a wide range of situations from celebrations to daily evening drinks as an auspicious brand that calls for good luck.

"Urazato" is a new generation brand brewed by the 6th generation brewery head, Chikara Urazato. A major feature is the use of Ogawa yeast, which is known as a ginjo yeast that Ibaraki Prefecture is proud of. It has a deep and mellow taste that brings out the umami and sweetness of rice, and a gentle fruity scent reminiscent of bananas and melons unique to Ogawa yeast spreads. The young brewery head toji, Chikara Urazato, trained at breweries outside the prefecture and the National Research Institute of Brewing, and continues new challenges based on tradition. His high technical skills are evaluated, such as receiving the Nanbu Toji Association Chairman's Award, the top prize in the ginjo sake section of the Nanbu Toji Self-Brewed Sake Competition. Aiming for a sake quality different from the conventional "Kiritsukuba," he pursues sake that is more gorgeous and suits modern tastes. While making use of local Tsukuba rice and water, it is attracting attention as a brand that shows the way of local sake in a new era.

"Hitorimusume" (Only Daughter) is the representative brand of Yamanaka Shuzoten. Brewed on the banks of the Kinugawa River, this sake features a smooth mouthfeel and mellow taste due to soft water brewing. The brand name was named after the thought of "brewing sake carefully as if raising an only daughter." The sake quality created by the skills cultivated over a long history and careful brewing makes you firmly feel the umami of rice even though it is light. It is ideal as a sake during meals and is loved as a famous supporting role that enhances the taste of dishes. As a sake that continues to be loved by locals, they continue to protect unchanged quality and taste.

"Tsumugibijin" is the representative brand of Nomura Jozo, and has been loved in the local Joso City since its founding in 1897. The brand name was named after the image of a beautiful woman who looks good in a kimono made of "Yuki Tsumugi," a local specialty of this region. Using rich soft water from the Kinugawa River and carefully selected high-quality rice, they insist on careful hand-made methods. It features a plump scent and a soft mouthfeel with a sharp taste, realizing a sake quality that you will never get tired of drinking. It is highly evaluated internationally, such as winning a gold medal at "Kura Master" in France. It goes well with meals and is familiar as a sake that colors the daily dining table.

"Shinsen" is one of the brands brewed by Inaba Shuzo, and is a sake inheriting the tradition of the brewery which has a history as the sacred sake of Mt. Tsukuba Shrine. The brand name is associated with the gods of Mt. Tsukuba, expressing a sacred and pure image. Taking advantage of the location at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba, they brew sake using the underground water of Mt. Tsukuba that springs up on the premises. Inheriting the tradition from ancient times, they practice sake brewing deeply connected to the local natural environment. It aims for a sake quality that harmonizes with local food culture with a taste that allows you to feel the climate of Tsukuba. As a brand deeply connected to Mt. Tsukuba worship, it conveys the history and culture of the region to the present.

"Minanogawa" is a brand derived from the famous spot "Minanogawa" in Mt. Tsukuba, which was sung in Hyakunin Isshu. Using spring water from Mt. Tsukuba and the highest quality sake brewing rice, they insist on all-pure rice brewing where all processes are done by hand. This sake brewed by the 6th generation brewery head and female toji, Nobuko Inaba, features a delicate, gentle, and transparent taste. A gorgeous scent, elegant sweetness, and a sharp aftertaste harmonize, aiming for a sake quality that heals the drinker's heart. There is also a history of winning awards at the IWC (International Wine Challenge), and its high quality is recognized both in Japan and overseas. As a true local sake expressing the nature and history of Mt. Tsukuba, it fascinates many fans.

"Makabe" is a traditional brand brewed by Murai Jozo, derived from the historic town "Makabe" where the brewery is located. Makabe has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and it is a brand that expresses the atmospheric townscape and history. Using underground water from the Mt. Tsukuba system and carefully selected sake brewing rice, it is brewed carefully by hand. The sake matured slowly in the stone warehouse of Makabe features a mellow and deep taste. As a local sake symbolizing the history and culture of the region, it is familiar not only to locals but also to tourists visiting Makabe.

"Komei" is the representative brand of Murai Jozo, which has continued for over 300 years in Makabe. The brand name comes from "Komei Seidai" (Fair and Square), and contains the brewery's belief of facing sake brewing with a pure and correct heart. Brewed carefully with traditional skills using underground water from Mt. Tsukuba, this sake features a light, dry, and refreshing mouthfeel. The balance between the umami of rice and sharpness is exquisite, finishing in a taste that you will never tire of drinking. As a local sake indispensable for traditional events and festivals in Makabe, it is deeply rooted in the lives of locals and continues to be loved.