Timeline
boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 Day 2 (2)
Wakayama ②
Hatsuzakura Sake Brewery in Katsuragi Town
There is a brand of the same name in Shiga, too.
It is the first time to see and drink Hatsumitsu in Wakayama though it is a Kansai sake.
Is it Kawakamishu because the brewery is located on the north side of the Kino River?
Polishing ratio 60% Yamadanishiki from Wakayama Prefecture 15.5 degrees Sake degree +1.0
Acidity 1.5, Amino acidity 1.5, 1,500 yen
It has a strong acidity. Can be served cold.
I wish I could go to Wakayama and buy a bottle of Hatsuzakura Nama Sake!
Eiji-san was talking with a person from Kido at the Wakayama booth! 
boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 Day 2①
Wakayama ①
On Sunday, the day after the fair, I was bothered by the fact that I couldn't drink so many sakes. I heard from Iji-san, who attended the morning session, that the second entry was half-price!
I was told that I could get in at half price if I showed my wristband or ticket screen 😁.
I wasn't sure if I should mention the half price, but some people were posting on X, so I thought it was okay 😌.
We met up in front of the venue and met up with each other.
My first comment when I first met him was "You are so young! 🤣.
We briefly introduced ourselves and talked about the Fukuoka Off-line Meeting as we walked into the venue.
Where do you want to go? We went to the Wakayama booth, which neither of us had visited yet.
Hatsumitsu Sake Brewery in Kinokawa City!
The brewery produces a variety of sake brands with names like "Congratulations," "Joy," and "World Cup.
The World Cup trademark was once requested by FIFA to be cancelled, but no trademark infringement was found and the sake is still sold today. I've broken it down quite a bit, so please google for more details 😁.
They seem to be a research-oriented brewery that has patented a manufacturing process for long-aged sake and obtained a utility model for happoshu (sparkling wine).
See the photo for specs 😌.
It is more fruity and delicious than I expected. The acidity is also good. boukenread "tsumemuki no saké" (literally, "the wine that pinches one's teeth") boukenLooking at the street view, the warehouse is almost empty, just a shed and containers...
I wonder if they are still building their own? boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part80
Shimane ④
Okadaya Honten in Masuda City.
I've never had this brewery, but I think they came to Hanshin department store a few years ago🤔.
They brought some sake, but I remember it was mainly shochu and liqueur.
Polishing ratio 70% Koshihikari from Yoshizu-cho 15-16 degrees Sake degree ±0
Sake is clear with a sense of matured sake. It has a strong sense of rice.
There are only 5 minutes left in the bottle, so this is the end.
I wanted to finish the last of the Shinigami, which I've had a few times but don't know where it's sold, but I forgot💦.
When the staff tried to remove the wristband from my wrist at the exit, I said "I'm going to cut your wristband off" 😅.
After that, we moved to Namba and went to Nakadoya-san, which is famous for its pig's feet and horumon (hormone). I always see a line of people waiting in front of the restaurant, but this was my first time to go in there. It was probably the first time for me to eat pig's feet too 🐷.
There was a waiter who looked just like Attack Nishimoto from Geraldine 😁.
After the pig's feet, I went to the sake department of Edion Namba, then went to Yamamoto Sake in Shimanouchi and went home 😊.
Thank you Umaisan and Nemuchi for your hard work 🤗.
This was supposed to be the end 🙄. マナチーGood morning, bouken 😃After a lot of drinking, you're going to a hormone shop? ⁉️ stomach problems look bad🤣but the senmai sashimi looks good 🤤. boukenHi Manachie, Hello ☀.
Of course my stomach was in a downward spiral after this 🤣.
The senmai sashimi and pig's feet were both excellent, especially the sauce 😋. boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part79
Shimane 3)
Ishu Sake Brewery in Tsuwano Town
(A search shows the same address, with Ishizhu Brewery manufacturing and Hanaizumi Brewery selling.
Ishu Sake Brewery is Sekushu Sake Brewery.
Hwasen Shuzo is Kasen Shuzo.
Both read differently than I expected 🤣.
I heard it's pronounced "Kitsune" but I can't read it 🤣.
The label is cool!
Polishing ratio 50%, En no Mai 15%, Sake degree +1.5, 2100 yen
They used to use Sakonishiki.
They say it is a blend of two yeasts.
Fresh, clean and fruity.
It's good but needs a little more umami🤔. boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part78
Shimane 2
Kisugi Sake Brewery in Unnan City
In Osaka, Haretoke sells this sake, but I've never had it because of its dry and heated atmosphere 😁.
Polishing ratio 55%, Sakonishiki from Unnan city, 15-16 degrees, Sake degree +8-9
1980 yen
It is a bit difficult to drink due to the graininess and complexity of the flavor. The second half is sharp and dry.
It is still a heated sake type. 蒼斗七星純米吟醸58 木槽搾り純米吟醸原酒無濾過槽しぼり boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part77
Shimane 1)
Only a few hours left to visit the Shimane booth, which has a lot of unknown breweries.
Aoto Sake Brewery in Yasugi City.
I've seen Aoto Shichisei with its distinctive label for a long time, but I've never seen it sold...
When I visited Rafa and Nemuchi at a sake shop in Hokusetsu, there was a store listed as one of their brands, but I couldn't buy it because they didn't have it in stock at the time of my visit...
I searched for Sake-no-Wa and found that it's called Seito Nansei 😅.
Polishing ratio 58%, Hyogo Yamadanishiki 17 degrees, No.9 yeast
2057 yen
Aoto Nanashiboshi is unfiltered and unpasteurized, pressed in a wooden tank
It has a refreshing sweet flavor and a fruity taste, but it is a little peculiar. I thought for a moment that it was not so San-in-like, but the peculiarity is a little San-in-like, isn't it? 
boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part76
Hiroshima Booth
Hayashi Sake Brewery located on Kurahashi Island in Kure City.
The president is both the director of a hospital and the president of a brewery, and it looks like he's been working both as a hospital and a brewery for three generations!
The current president is a businessman who runs a variety of facilities, including nursing homes and lodging facilities, and is a well-known personality who often appears on TV.
He also has a collection of Rolls Royce, kimonos, hanging scrolls, etc. and runs a museum.
With that preconceived notion, I wondered about the sake. I wondered about the sake, but I was intrigued by the fact that they have a toji who has won first place in a series of sake competitions.
He is also a toji at the Kinbundo Sake Brewery in Yamaguchi Prefecture and a test brewer at the Hiroshima Prefectural Food Industry Technology Center.
Polishing ratio 65%, Hachitan-Nishiki 15%, Sake degree +4, 1560 yen
Classic taste, but neat and well-rounded.
It is spicy but light and a little fruity.
The impression is that it must have been brewed with care. boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part75
Nagano 2
Matsubaya Honten in Obuse-machi
I see it's in the same town as Sogape.
This is also a brand I have been interested in for a long time.
In the Kansai region, Noboru Sake Shop in Nara is the only place that carries it.
There seems to be another brand called "Hon Yoshinogawa" in addition to Hokushinryu.
Polishing ratio 59%, Kinmon-Nishiki 16%, Sake degree +5, Acidity 1.2
1,900 yen
I had an image of a matured or peculiar sake, but it tastes fresh and clean.
It tastes fresh and clean. I would say it is rather dry.
I'd like to try a draft at least once 🤔. boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part74
Nagano (1)
I lost everyone when I came back from the restroom, so I acted alone until the end.
From here on, I'm going to drink only the brands I'm interested in with pinpoint accuracy.
Takeju Honke Sake Brewery in Saku City
I've been curious about this sake brewery for a while.
They also produce a sake called "doburoku" which is written as "126" and I've never seen it before💦.
I've seen Gyoenchiku at Yodobashi before, but it was an expensive one.
Polishing ratio 70%, Miyamanishiki 18%, Sake degree -9, Acidity 2.0
1,700 yen (price at the venue)
Aged at room temperature for more than half a year.
It is matured, but it is delicious with a strong umami flavor.
The label says it will be better if it is left at room temperature for a few more months, but I think this is about right for me.
It seems to have won a gold medal at the Wineglass Delicious Sake Awards 2022! boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part73
Hokkaido ④
Goryo Junmai Ginjo
Hakodate Goryonokura in Hakodate City.
I thought the company name was Kamikawa Taisetsu, but it's not 💦.
Polishing ratio 55%, Ginpu 15%, Sake degree -2, 2450 yen
Fruity and juicy sake!
It was the sweetest Hokkaido sake I drank that day.
And it was the only sake with a negative Sake meter.
Well, all the sake I drank at the Hokkaido booth was Ginpu.
There were sakes made with "Kitashizuku" and "Comet" too!
Next time... boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part72
Hokkaido (3)
Kobayashi Sake Brewery in Kuriyama-cho
Kuriyama-cho is where Director Kuriyama moved to?
Polishing ratio 50%, Ginpu 16%, Sake degree +6, Acidity 1.5, 2068 yen
Sake with a strong rice flavor and a refreshing taste.
I thought it was similar to "Kinpidake".
There is also an unfiltered raw sake version, so I'm interested in that too 🤔.
I forgot to take a picture 💦. boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part71
Hokkaido (2)
Kinjidake Sake Brewery in Shintotsukawa Town
Hokkaido is full of brands whose names I know but have never seen before.
Polishing ratio 55%, Ginpu 15.0 degrees, Sake degree +3.0, 1380 yen
Seicomart, a convenience store in Hokkaido, carries this sake in their online store.
It's a little classic but refreshing, a little like Kunimare but not as spicy as Kunimare. boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part70
HOKKAIDO 1)
I think I was with Mr. Umaisan in Hokkaido 🤔.
Fukushi Sake Brewery in Kushiro City
He came to the National Sake Fair hoping that it would be a good opportunity for him to expand his business to Kansai.
They brought 4 kinds of sake and we asked the brewer about them and chose this one.
A new brand launched by five young brewers of the Fukushi Sake Brewery.
Goshiki saikumo, or five-colored clouds. Goshiki no Kumo.
The products are for exclusive dealers and are not sold in the official online store.
Polishing ratio 60%, Ginpu 12%, 1980 yen
Not very sweet, but easy to drink.
It has a 4MP-like taste. 4MMP(?) with low alcohol content. It seems to be in line with the current trend.
I was curious about the other three, but time is short, so on to the next drink... boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part69
Yamagata Prefecture 2
Matsuyama Sake Brewery in Sakata City
The company name is different from Sake no Wa, but it looks like they changed the name.
I've been interested in this brand since I started drinking sake, because I know many bloggers and SNS followers who drink it.
Rice polishing ratio 40%, Yamagata sake brewing rice 16%, Sake degree -3.0
Acidity 1.3, 2750 yen
Fruity, sweet and delicious.
I wish it was available in Kansai!
Looking at the list, there were many breweries in Yamagata that brought high-priced sake.
We gave up after 2 breweries because we didn't have time!
There are still a lot of breweries on the list that I don't know about💦.
Next stop: Hokkaido! boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part68
Yamagata Prefecture①
Yamagata booth alone
Nishikika Sake Brewery in Takahata-machi
I had heard from Icoma that Hanyo Nishikiban was not released outside of the prefecture, so I definitely wanted to drink it!
Polishing ratio 33%, Yuki-Megami 16 degrees, Sake degree -1.5, Acidity 1.25
4,400 yen
Slightly fruity and delicious!
Like clean water!
This is so good! I think 4,400 yen for a 33% milling ratio of Yuki no Meishin is a good deal, right? ひるぺこGood evening, bouken.
I was planning to go to Yamagata in the summer, so I was secretly aiming for this sake 😎✨It's really delicious - I'd like to try it! boukenGood evening, Miss Peco.
This really tastes like a 5,000 yen or more sake, so please look for it when you go to Yamagata.
I don't think you can buy it outside of Yamagata, so please do! EmishikiSavour the flavor Pt.2 古式生もと純米生酛生酒 boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part67
Booth of Tokyo University of Agriculture Flower Yeast Research Group
Nemuchi-san went to the Aomori booth, so Uma-san and I went to the Flower Yeast Research Group booth.
Aomori wanted to drink Hana Ippu, but we were so busy that we forgot to drink it💦.
Polishing ratio 50%, Watafune 2, 15%, Tokyo University of Agriculture Flower Yeast Sakura
1815 yen
I drank this last year when I went to the brewery opening.
I thought it was Elements of Life, but it was Savour the flavour!
The aroma is calm, but the taste is sweet, juicy, and thick. It has a strong acidity.
I also wanted to check out the Seiun Shuzo's Kinshozan, but I didn't have enough time, so I only visited the Laughing Seasonal Yeast booth... boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part66
Iwate Prefecture6
Hishiya Sake Brewery in Miyako City
Sake brewed by Mr. Katsutoshi Tsujimura, a master craftsman of our time
I've seen it before at Kinoshita Meishu Store, but I didn't buy it because I thought it looked like a classic heated sake.
Polishing ratio 60%, Ginga/Ginbukiyuki 16%, 1,460 yen
Slightly dry with a refreshing taste. It's good during a meal.
Best served at room temperature or lukewarm.
Leaving the Iwate booth, what next? boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part65
Iwate Prefecture⑤Iwate Prefecture
Fukurai-san in Kuji City
I've seen posts of people drinking it on SNS, but I haven't seen this brand in Kansai.
Polishing ratio 60%, Gingotome, 15%, Sake degree +2, Acidity 1.5
Giovanni's research yeast, 1411 yen
Orthodox and light. Slightly sweet and full-bodied. Slightly classic 🤔. boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part64
Iwate Prefecture ④
Sakura Face Sake Brewery in Morioka City
I think I've seen it sold before, but this is my first time to drink it.
Polishing ratio 55%, domestic rice, 15 degrees, +1.0 to 2.0, acidity 1.1 to 1.3
Yuko no Sou Yeast: 1,595 yen
Clear and crisp.
There are many more brands with "sakura" in Japan 🌸
I forgot to take a picture of this sake and the next one I'm going to post, so I borrowed them from Nemuchi-san! boukenNational Sake Fair 2025 part63
Iwate Prefecture③.
Mr. Washio in Hachimantai City
A brand you hear the name but do not see
Rice polishing ratio 40%, Yuzunokou 16%, Sake degree -2, Acidity 1.25
4370 yen
It is a Junmai Daiginjo, but the brewery's policy is to label it as Junmai Ginjo.
Sweet and tasty, juicier than expected.
I'm drinking it thinking it's a regular junmai ginjo without knowing the specs, so this is my impression, but considering the price and specs, it should be delicious! RecommendedContentsSectionView.title
