Big Poppa of Rare sake, Juyondai(十四代) History The brewery behind Juyondai, Takagi Shuzo, was founded in Yamagata Prefecture in 1615. Juyondai was created in 1994 by Akitsuna Takagi, who inherited the brewery as its 15th-generation master — more than 300 years after its founding. Although he was the 15th generation, the sake was named after
Beyond Kumamoto, Beyond Kyushu — Ubusuna Sake Is Now Taking Korea by Storm There are many types of nihonshu with a sparkling character, but the kind of carbonation that Ubusuna delivers—only Ubusuna can create it. The sake I’m introducing today is Ubusuna, a bottle that stands alongside Nabeshima as a representative of Kyushu—so popular that
Born the Same Year as Hello Kitty: The Story of Denshu, Aomori’s Legendary Sake In 1974—22 years before I was born—a sake called Denshu was released in Aomori Prefecture. As of 2026, it ranks 5th nationwide on Sakenowa and 29th on Sake Times. Its birth required a bold decision—to go against the mainstream. And the
Discover the story of Akabu (AKABU), a Japanese sake brewery that rebuilt from scratch after the earthquake with samurai spirit and became one of Japan’s leading sake brands.
Nabeshima — the sake that defines Saga Prefecture. The Nabeshima I’m introducing today is made by Fukuchiyo Shuzo, a brewery located in Saga Prefecture. If you had to name one of the most famous sake not only in Saga but in the entire Kyushu region, Nabeshima would definitely come up in the conversation—probably at about
Location: Yamaguchi Prefecture
A small but formidable brewery from Yamaguchi Prefecture, which is also known as the home of Dassai. Here, I would like to introduce Wakamusume.
When You Can’t Pick the Right Sake for Dinner, There’s Hakurakusei Founded in 1874 in Ōsaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Niizawa Brewery is the producer of the sake I want to introduce today, Hakurakusei. Now led by its fifth generation, the brewery has a clear philosophy. They describe their sake as aiming to become the “ultimate
Beau Michelle, from Tomono Shuzo in Saku City (佐久市).
Location: Nagano Prefecture
Among all the sake I drank in June 2025, Beau Michelle was the most impressive.
And when winter came, the Snow White I drank was also outstanding.
About two years ago, I graduated from sneakers and started
Whenever my wife, Midori, and I visit a sake shop or a sake izakaya, there are a few bottles we always look for first.
One of them is the sake I’m introducing today—a true representative of Miyagi Prefecture’s local sake, brewed by a husband-and-wife-run brewery.
It’s Miyakanbai.
