Brands

"Shuroku" is a brand that was once brewed by Otsuka Shuzo. Meaning "excellent green," it was familiar as a sake nurtured in the nature-rich land of Bando. Currently, it remains as the name of a tourist facility, honoring its historical value and contribution to the region. Also, thanks to local enthusiasm, a reprinted version is brewed by Raifuku Shuzo, making it a rare brand that continues to be loved by people in the region even after the closure.

"Buyu" is the only brand of Buyu that continues to be loved in the land of Yuki. Beyond the framework of dry and clear (Tanrei Karakuchi), it features a sake quality that emphasizes umami and richness due to aging. They practice careful brewing by hand, such as highly polishing carefully selected sake brewing suitable rice and using the box koji method (Hako Koji Ho) for koji making. From the taste that is clear when chilled to the mellow umami that spreads when warmed, it is a sake during meals that you will never tire of drinking, showing various expressions depending on the temperature range.

"Tsumugi Musume" is a traditional brand of Yuki Shuzo that has been loved for many years in the land of Yuki, known for Yuki Tsumugi. It is light and easy to drink, and is loved as a local sake essential for the evening drinks of local people. Overcoming the damage caused by the fire, they are currently protecting its taste through consignment brewing and other means. It features a delicate and warm taste like Yuki Tsumugi.

"Fukufuku" is a historic brand that has continued since the founding of Yuki Shuzo. It contains the wish that "Wealth (Fuku)" and "Fortune (Fuku)" will continue for a long time (Hisashiku). Currently, the "Yui" brand is the mainstay, but Fukufuku is supported by strong local fans and continues to protect the traditional taste. It features an old-fashioned rich taste where you can firmly feel the umami of rice.

"Yui" is a brand launched by Michiko Urasato, a young female master brewer of Yuki Shuzo. Just as the character implies connecting "Good Fortune (Kichi)" with "Thread (Ito)," it contains the wish to connect people with people and the region with people through sake. Although they suffered the difficulty of the brewery being destroyed by fire in 2022, they are currently continuing sake brewing with the cooperation of Michizakura Shuzo in Hokkaido and Raifuku Shuzo in Ibaraki Prefecture. It features a plump taste and beautiful acidity, and is a sake of hope that continues to evolve even in adversity.

"Sakuragawa" is a brand that was once brewed by Horikawa Shuzoten. It was named after the cherry blossoms of Sakuragawa, which is also known as the stage for Noh songs and Kabuki. Using local rice and water, it was familiar as a sake that reflected the climate of this land. Although it has now become a phantom brand, its name has been handed down along with the history of Sakuragawa City.

"Tokai" is the representative brand of Muto Shurui Jozo that has been loved in the land of Kasama since the Edo period. It was named with the image of the rising morning sun vigorously, like "Kyokujitsu Shoten (Rising Sun)." Currently, the traditional taste is protected by consignment brewing at Meiri Shurui. Also known as the sacred sake (Omiki) of Kasama Inari Shrine, it features a taste where you can feel the umami of rice even in a refreshing dry taste.

"Futabasan Matsumidori" is the representative brand of Sasame Sobe Shoten, also known as the sacred sake of Kasama Inari Shrine. It is an auspicious name derived from Mount Futaba, located in the mountain range connecting the Nikko mountain range and Mount Tsukuba, and the lush green pines. Using the underground water of Mount Sashiro, it features "Harmony of Five Tastes" where sweetness, dryness, acidity, bitterness, and astringency are harmonious. It is a local sake with a deep taste that you will never tire of drinking, making you feel the history and tradition of Kasama.

"Inasato" is a brand used since the founding, derived from the place name "Inada" where the brewery is located. "Inada" is named after the fact that it was originally called "Ina no Sato (Village of Rice)." It is a brand that embodies "Sake that tastes and smells like rice, sake that is like sake" aimed by Isokura Shuzo. As sake that accompanies the daily lives of local people, it continues to be loved during festivals and at the daily dining table.

"Sato no Homare" is the representative brand of Sudo Honke, a Junmai Daiginjo filled with tradition and innovation since its founding. Without carbon filtration, it seals in the fresh flavor just after pressing. It has won numerous awards in global competitions and is used in three-star restaurants overseas, making it a premium sake loved all over the world.

"Takimomiji" is a brand that was once brewed by Takita Shuzojo. With a beautiful name reminiscent of the elegant scene of waterfalls and autumn leaves, it was loved as a local sake of Mito. Although it has now become a phantom brand, its name is remembered along with the culture of Mito.

"Mitsuoogi" is a traditional brand that was once brewed by Takita Shuzojo. It is derived from the auspicious design of three folding fans overlapping, which symbolizes expanding prosperity (Suehirogari). As sake that colored the celebratory seats and daily dining tables of Mito, it was loved for a long time.

"Hyakusai" is a brand of long-aged sake brewed by Yoshikubo Shuzo. As the name suggests, it contains the wish to be "cheerful until 100 years old." It features a mellow taste and a rich aroma due to aging. It is an auspicious sake ideal for gifts on special days and longevity celebrations.

"Ippin" is the representative brand of Yoshikubo Shuzo, brewed with famous water related to the Mito domain. As the name suggests, it was named with the aim of being an "Ippin (One Item/Masterpiece)" sticking to quality. The dry and clear refreshing taste goes perfectly with local dishes. It has been highly evaluated in domestic and international competitions and is widely familiar as a local sake representing Mito.

"SABA de SHU" is a sake dedicated to mackerel (Saba), unique to Ibaraki Prefecture, which boasts the largest landing volume of mackerel in Japan. By blending multiple sakes and intentionally increasing acidity and amino acids, it is finished with a taste that enhances umami while washing away mackerel fat. It is a unique and innovative sake where you can enjoy the best marriage with mackerel dishes.

"Ogurayama" is a brand named after the elegant name of "Ogurayama" in Kyoto, a poetic place name (Utamakura) also sung in Hyakunin Isshu. Brewed with Meiri Shurui's traditional skills, it features an elegant taste that you never get tired of drinking. It is a standard sake of Mito loved widely from daily evening drinks to gifts.

"Zuiho Shizan" is a brand with an elegant name that combines the auspicious bird "Zuiho" (Phoenix) and the mountain of "Purple," which is considered a noble color. Reflecting the careful brewing of Meiri Shurui, the elegant taste is attractive. It is a prestigious sake that is appreciated as a cup for celebratory days and also as a gift.

"Suifu Jiman" is a brand that bears the old name of Mito, "Suifu," and contains pride in the local area. Using "No. 10 Yeast (Ogawa Yeast)" developed by Meiri Shurui, it features a refreshing taste with low acidity and high aroma. It is a local sake that has been loved locally, making you feel the history and climate of Mito.

"Yukiyozuki" (Snowy Moon) is an innovative Daiginjo sake jointly developed by Meiri Shurui and "Yukihana Lamy," a VTuber belonging to Hololive. Born from "Lamy's Sake Brewing Project," it uses Meiri Shurui's unique M310 yeast and features a taste that maximizes the sweetness and umami of rice. It is a bottle evaluated worldwide, such as winning a Bronze Medal in the Daiginjo category at the IWC (International Wine Challenge) 2022.

"Fukushogun" is the representative brand of Meiri Shurui, named after Tokugawa Mitsukuni, popularly known as Mito Komon. It is brewed with the skills of Nanbu Toji, using "Ogawa Yeast" originated from Meiri Shurui and carefully selected brewing rice. Characterized by a gorgeous aroma and a light taste, it is a talented sake that has won numerous gold medals at appraisals.