Which sake should you take home as a souvenir? A thorough review for beginners!

Hello! This is Payke.

This time I will be comparing various sakes!
I am not a heavy drinker, but I will do my best to show you the appeal of these drinks!

Many foreign visitors to Japan seem to purchase sake, thinking, “Since I came all the way to Japan, I want to bring home some delicious sake.” However, I think many of them are unsure which sakes are good, and want to keep their purchases down to 2-3 bottles since they cannot take home too much.
So I will introduce you to some carefully selected sakes!

By the way, what is “seimai buai”?

The term “seimai buai” used in this article means “rice polishing rate.” It tells you how much of each grain of rice is used from the core.
For example, a seimai buai of 65% means that 35% of each grain of rice has been polished off.
Generally speaking, sakes with a high seimai buai are more fragrant, whereas sakes with a low seimai buai are more refreshing and pure.

Now you, too, can join the profound world of sake

1) Kaze no Mori Alpha Type 1, Nara

Seimai buai: 65%
Alcohol level: 14%
Rice used: Akitsuho
Price range: 720ml/\1150 1800ml/\2200

This is the kizake, or pure rice wine, from Nara prefecture’s famous Kaze no Mori series.
Kizake is not heated twice as in the normal sake manufacturing process, so it still has live yeast in it that creates an enjoyable fresh taste.
However, it is recommended to store this sake in the refrigerator, so please refrigerate it!
By the way, there is a picture of Alpha on the right, and Kaze no Mori on the left.
Alpha should be easy to find even in Tokyo.

2) Koshi no Kagetora Ryu, Niigata

Seimai buai: 65%
Alcohol level: 16%
Rice used: Gobyakumangoku
Price range: 720ml/\777 　1800ml/\1851

This sake is from Niigata, one of Japan’s prominent rice producing areas.
It is smooth, but also leaves a detectable aftertaste.
It also features an aroma that spreads after drinking.

3) Sharaku Junai Shikomi, Fukushima

Seimai buai: 60%
Alcohol level: 16.1%
Rice used: Aizu Yume no Kaori
Price range: 720ml/\1404 1800ml/\2808

This is a sake from Fukushima prefecture.
It features a smooth, mild taste.
By the way, it is called “junai shikomi,” or “made with pure love,” because the brewers have poured their love into it!
You can feel the Japanese passion for sake making with this sake!

4) Shimantogawa Shigin, Kochi

Seimai buai: 60%
Alcohol level: 15%
Rice used: Yamadanishiki
Price range: 720ml/\1026 1800ml/\1998

This sake is refreshing and very easy to drink.
It has no peculiar tastes, so it goes down with no trouble.
The brewery, Kikusui Sake, is located in Kochi prefecture in the Shikoku region, which is full of clear streams.

5) Kubota Hyakuju, Niigata

Seimai buai: 60%
Alcohol level: 15%
Rice used: Gobyakumangoku (koji), Niigata Sanmai (Kakemai)
Price range: 720ml/\920 1800ml/\2010

This one is probably famous amongst people who like sake.
This sake is also from Niigata, one of Japan’s prominent rice producing areas.
It is dry, but has an enjoyable refreshing aftertaste.

There you have my recommended sakes!
Did you find a sake you think you will like?
If you are interested in a particular sake, definitely try purchasing it!
Of course you can buy it as a souvenir, but if you find a sake you are curious about during your trip, go ahead and buy it to drink!