Top 8 Japanese Sake Brands

Sake is an alcoholic beverage that Japan consumes extensively. It is, in fact, Japan’s national drink. But it’s also popular across the world for its affluence and complexity of flavour. Sake is a rice drink produced by fermenting refined rice into liquor in Japan. This article will go into detail about the following eight most popular Japanese sake brands.

• Hakkaisan Brewery
• Kubota Sake
• Asahi Brewery
• Shichida Sake
• Shirataki Brewery
• Suigei Sake
• Kikusui Sake
• Gekkeikan Sake

Given the numerous sake brands available, finding the most excellent sake during the vacation to Japan can be difficult as a first-timer in the world of sake. Each variation caters to a distinct set of tastes and preferences. There are no easy ways to select the ideal sake for every occasion or each individual’s preferences. However, some of Japan’s most well-known sake companies have earned a reputation for making the most fantastic sake.

Best Japanese Sake Brands

Hakkaisan Brewery

Hakkaisan brewery produces sake with authentic flavour by employing top-graded ingredients such as water and rice. As they apply the spring water of Mount Hakkai in the sake production, the brand is also known as Mt. Hakkai. 

They select the growers and locations according to their choice to harvest the rice for producing exceptional sake. Brewing rice sake is pretty standard when utilizing conventional methods. And though it needs time, it yields a great product in return. 

Without a doubt, it is one of the greatest sake brands in Japan. Apart from its popularity, it is also simple to consume and goes well with almost any meal. This brand is known for its pleasantly made sake, which is moderately sugary and has balanced tastes that leave a refreshing reaction.

They use natural water to make this particular type of Jumai sake. It offers a dry flavour that complements the soft and buttery texture. Almond and vanilla are familiar tastes of this drink, with a hint of lactic nature, giving it an exquisite and graceful flavour.

It has a 15.5% alcohol content and is suitable for pairing with both Japanese and non-Japanese cuisines. A great option for drinking if you’re new to sake. This cold storage sake is also brewed in cold and humid temperatures to ensure a slow fermentation.

Founded: 1922

Website: https://www.hakkaisan.com/

Recommended Sake: Junmai Daiginjo Hakkaisan

Alcohol Percentage: 15.5%

Kubota Sake

Very few Japanese sake brands are as influential as Kubota Brewery, part of the Asahi Breweries group. It all began in 1830, and from that time, it has been producing and working tirelessly to offer the most fantastic sake possible. Their only goal is to make excellent quality sake by using only the best rice grains available.

While making sake, they spend a significant amount of time polishing and washing rice to improve the balance and essence. They acquire the same results through multiple laboratory examinations and testing. They also maintain a clean, natural environment while producing high-quality items.

One of the things that people appreciate about Kubota’s sake is its reasonable price. Besides being affordable, the Kubota Senju Ginjo is every bit as delicious as it looks. It is one of the most authentic sake.

The composition consists of a delicious, clean combination of nutmeg, banana cream pie, ripe plum, and dried fruits. Leaving a dry, candy-like aftertaste. It’s best to drink it when it’s still warm. Contains about 15% alcohol content. Excellent for relaxing.

When you try this exquisite authentic sake, you’ll understand the reason behind its popularity. It is a sake made from raw rice, rich in flavour & taste. Goes well with almost any dish.

Founded: 1830

Website: https://www.asahi-shuzo.co.jp/en/

Recommended Sake: Kubota Senju Ginjo

Alcohol Percentage: 15%

Asahi Brewery

In 1990, Asahi Sake Brewery, one of the most outstanding Japanese sake companies, was established. It is one of the original and most well-known Japanese Sake factories specializing in brewing sake wine utilizing cutting-edge technology.

They’re famed for Junmai Daiginjo Sake, implying they use only pure rice and follow a complicated fermentation and brewing process. Junmai sake is also unadulterated to preserve the product’s inherent flavour and texture.

Dassai 45 is the company’s most popular goods. It’s an inexpensive, top-quality sake with enticing aromatic notes and simple pairing potential. It is famous not just in Japan, also in the United States. 

Furthermore, it is appropriate for novices. This sake, made using Yamada Nishiki rice, is light and refreshing, and you can enjoy it with any meal or solo. It tastes better at various temperatures.

It would be best if you tried Dassai’s sake to acquire a sense of its flavour and texture. The rice is polished, and the slowed-down fermentation process brings out this wine’s authentic flavour,   resulting in sweet and salty sake.

Founded: 1990

Website: https://www.asahishuzo.ne.jp/en/

Recommended Sake: Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 45

Alcohol Percentage: 16%

Shichida Sake 

Initially, this brand was not a sake brewer; instead, they worked in other parts like rice polishing, wheat milling, and noodle production for many brewers. Later, they opened their own factory and employed all of the traditional methods to brew sake. It is also an excellent sake brand in Japan.

They felt that high-quality water and rice were the keys to producing excellent sake, so they acted accordingly. They used rice, water, and various refreshing fruits to keep it from tasting bland and providing a sense of sweetness. This sake is a fantastic choice for parties, special events, and occasional consumption too.

You may learn more about sake wine by trying it from this brewery. It’s delicious and a fantastic drink to serve to anyone. With the finishing acidity, it refreshes the mind.

Founded: 1875

Website: https://tenzan.co.jp/en/shichida-brand/

Recommended Sake: SHICHIDA Junmai Sake

Alcohol Percentage: 15%

Shirataki Brewery

This sake brewery is well-known for producing high-quality rice sake. In terms of flavour, very few sake brands in Japan are as great as it is. They don’t mess around with colours and flavours, so you’ll always get genuine sake wine.

This brand’s sake wines are pretty refreshing since they taste great and leave you with a pleasant, tipsy feeling. It’s magical, with a tinge of sweetness. To make their wines stand out, they employ natural water derived from melting snow.

To learn more about it, you have to taste this sake. The uniqueness of this liquor is as evident as its clarity. It would be best to get your desired sake from Shirataki’s Jozen line sake, one of the top Japanese sake companies. Combine this excellent sake with a variety of Japanese foods to savour its flavour.

Founded: 1855

Website: https://shiratakisake.com/

Recommended Sake: Jozen Ryosui Junmai Ginjo

Alcohol Percentage: 14%

Suigei Sake

This sake brewery, established in 1872, is situated in Kochi, Japan’s biggest sake drinking city. It’s one of the greatest sake brands in Japan. Suigei is a guy who proclaimed himself the intoxicated ruler of the whales’ sea. 

This brewery’s quality is outstanding since they apply rice from Japan’s most significant available locations and the natural water of the Kagami River.

Because the water is without iron and manganese, it tastes great. While some brewers continue to use conventional methods, Suigei developed their own preparation methods of fermenting sake.

You may taste this clear sake wine of Kochi, prepared using the Jiugu process to extract as much flavour as possible. Easily one of the most fantastic sake you can get at a reasonable price. This sake wine has a delicious taste and composition.

Founded: 1872

Website: https://www.suigei-net.com/home-1

Recommended Sake: Drunken Whale Junmai Daiginjo

Alcohol Percentage: 17%

Kikusui Sake

This Japanese brand efficiently preserves the original flavour of sake wine while avoiding the use of add-ons. It is a fantastic Japanese sake brand in terms of alcohol concentration and flavour. 

You can perceive Japan’s culture and customs most exquisitely via their sakes. The Kikusui sake factory produces sake that provides the soul with tremendous joy and happiness.

To obtain a similar sensation, try this sake produced from Shimanto river water. The Junmai Ginjo sake from Kikusui is ideal for sharing with everyone. You won’t have to bother about the price of this Japanese sake because it is very inexpensive.

This sake is made with finely polished rice and takes longer than usual to get to the point where it offers complete delight to the consumer. It has a soft and gentle texture, and there is no added colour in it.

Founded: 1881

Website: https://www.kikusui-sake.com/home/en/

Recommended Sake: Funaguchi Kikusui

Alcohol Percentage: 19%

Gekkeikan Sake

The Gekkeikan brand is yet another excellent sake from Japan. It has a long history of brewing superior quality sake from basic, natural materials and has done so since 1637.

You can use Gekkeikan’s sake in a variety of ways. This classic sake has a light flavour and a gentle smooth flavour. It’s also inexpensive and tasty. It comes with a dry, smooth taste with a lot of natural smells when you drink it. It has a volume of 16% alcohol.

It’s delicious, both heated and cooled. Generally compelling and mellow when served at room temperature but fruity and refreshing when cooled. Goes well with fish and other seafood-based dishes.

Founded: 1637

Website: https://gekkeikan.com/

Recommended Sake: Gekkeikan Sake

Alcohol Percentage: 16%