Our sake “Kuni Zakari” was created in 1844 during the Edo period and was named with the hope that “the country would prosper so that our sake would flourish along with it”. Since then, we have inherited that spirit and continue to brew sake while constantly evolving with the changing times, in pursuit of sake that will satisfy as many people as possible. Throughout our long history, we have always valued our philosophy of "respecting the customer’s point of view while providing quality products with all our heart and soul".
No matter what era, our top priority is customer satisfaction. To this end, we believe that the most important thing is to sincerely respect the customer's point of view while providing high-quality products at reasonable prices. Today, we continue to brew Kuni Zakari with sincerity, hoping that even our smallest efforts can contribute to our customers' comfort and a rich food culture.
To Deliver Quality Products
Combining Tradition
and Innovation to Brew Even
Higher Quality Sake
To ensure that more customers can enjoy the sake we are proud of, brewed with the traditional techniques we have refined since our founding, we were among the first in the industry to develop a production system that incorporates the latest equipment. While the intuition and experience of our craftsmen are of course important, we have also utilized chemical and objective evaluations, and have effectively mechanized certain parts of the brewing process to precisely adjust and control quality. By doing so, we can concentrate on processes that require the irreplaceable five human senses, thus achieving further improvements in quality.
A Diverse Lineup of
Unique Products
Nakano Sake Brewery, which values tradition as well as an enterprising spirit, offers a wide variety of unique sake products that align with the evolving Japanese food culture. We aim to provide our customers with new ways to enjoy sake. Examples include "Toraji no Uta," a sake specially crafted to complement meat dishes, and various flavored liqueurs. Such product development is supported by Nakano Sake Brewery's advanced brewing technology, innovative ideas, and the sophisticated blending techniques that make these products possible. We also strive to contribute to the cultivation of food culture by constantly creating new products.
"Luxury in Brew,
Luxury in Taste"
- Our Sake Brewing Creed
The Nakano Sake Brewery's sake brewing creed is "Luxury in Brew, Luxury in Taste". To achieve luxurious taste, the ingredients must also be luxurious. For this reason, it is very important to select and procure ingredients that match the concept of each sake. For example, Plum liqueur, for which the character of the ingredients directly affects the quality, is made from plums grown in-house at Kuni Zakari Farm, using our special method. The koji rice used for Handago is Wakamizu, a rice suitable for sake brewing carefully grown by local farmers in Aichi Prefecture. Needless to say, it is also important to refine brewing techniques to make the best use of these ingredients. We devote every effort to creating luxury in taste. This is our way of brewing sake.
Sakagura Ranking
(2017 - 1 August 2023)
liqueur in
paper packs 1993
plums
at
our own farm 2008
and grape liqueur
a liqueur in 1986
Inheriting Handa's Brewing Culture
The Traditional Brewery
where Kuni Zakari was Brewed
This historic brewery has a long-standing tradition of sake production. It now operates as a museum, showcasing a rich collection of materials related to sake brewing. Visitors can explore traditional sake brewing tools and learn about the craftsmen's skills from the past, preserving the memories and techniques passed down by our predecessors. The museum plays a crucial role in passing on the heritage of Japanese sake culture to the present day. Since its opening, it has become a popular tourist attraction in Handa, drawing many visitors interested in the art and history of sake brewing.
Interaction with Local Communities
Connecting People with the Brewery and the Community
through Sake Brewing Experiences and Events
Nakano Sake Brewery actively engages with the local community by hosting various sake-related events, aiming to enhance interaction and connection. These events provide opportunities for visitors to learn how to enjoy sake, discover their favorite bottle, and uncover new aspects of sake culture.
Sake Brewing Experience:
Bringing Sake Closer to You
The sake brewing experience allows visitors to create their own original bottle of sake, guiding them through the entire process from steaming rice to labeling and bottling. This hands-on activity is designed to make visitors feel more connected to sake by providing an immersive and educational brewing experience.
Doburoku Festival
- A Once-a-Year Treat
The Doburoku Festival, held every December at the Sake no Bunkakan, offers fresh raw Doburoku, which can only be tasted here before it is pasteurized by fire. The festival is only held during this time of year and attracts crowds of participants who attend with their families and friends.
Supporting the Nationally
Famous Handa Dashi Festival
Held once every five years, the Handa Dashi Festival is the largest event in the region, attracting many people from all over the country to watch the 31 floats (Dashi) being pulled around in a heroic display of strength. We sponsor the festival and sell limited-edition sake to help promote the event.