At Masazushi in Otaru, we had a bottle of local sake, Takaragawa, with excellent sushi. The sake was dry and paired perfectly with the sushi. It was a blissful time.
Takaragawa Junmai Sake
Takaragawa Junmai
Rice polishing ratio 70%.
Alcohol 14%.
Sake degree +5
Seimaibuai 70%
Alcohol 14
Nihonshudo +5
It has been a long time since I have had this sake, but it is as stable as if I had returned to my old home. It goes well with cream cheese with bonito flakes on it.
Dry, with crisp tangy grassy finish and a bit of an alcohol flavored punch.
Good pairing with sashimi
Too strong for anago tempura, maybe not well suited for the batter
Pretty good with "oyster Yuba ponzu jelly" Oyster Yuba ponzu jelly
Good pairing with sashimi Too strong for anago tempura, maybe not well suited for the batter Pretty good with "oyster Yuba ponzu jelly" Oyster Yuba ponzu jelly
2025/09/17 Rakuten Rakuten Hokkaido Otaru
Tempura of Cod Milt
Oysters and pumped yuba ponzu jelly
grilled oyster cocktail
Tempura conger eel with ume plum paste
Eggplant Tempura
Kiss Tempura
grilled saury with sprinkle of salt
Assorted Sashimi
2025/09/17 Rakuten Rakuten Otaru, Hokkaido
My first Takarakawa, my first Hokkaido sake. My wife bought it as a souvenir from a business trip.
The aroma is gorgeous like banana mixed with the freshness of green apple. In the mouth, a gentle sweetness spreads, and the sourness and bitterness spread all over the tongue. The aroma is fruity and pleasant as it fills the mouth.
The umami is modest and does not come on strong, but gradually seeps in afterward. The aftertaste is clean and clean.
The clarity and gorgeous aroma of this bottle, which is typical of the 40% milled rice ratio, stand out. It is suitable for toasting or enjoying the aroma on its own. It is best paired with light dishes, and may fight a little with dishes with strong flavors.
I received this as a souvenir.
I lived in Sapporo for 2 years but did not know it.
I am looking forward to it.
It is a beautiful sake that is easier to drink than I expected.
There is no cloying sweetness, and the sake is smooth and easy to drink. As you drink it, the umami flavor also comes out.
I guess this is what high spec sake is all about these days.
A souvenir from my honeymoon in Hokkaido.
I knew Takarakawa existed, but it is a brand that is hard to find only in Otaru😅.
So this time we bought it when we went sightseeing in Otaru.
It is a bottle with a clear, dry taste and a good sharpness.
We enjoyed it with open-flavored Hokke fish 🐟.