Our Sake
A crispness that melts away like snow.
A return to the roots of junmai.
Our sake, Yuki no Bijin (“Snow Beauty”), captures the essence of a snowflake melting on the tongue, its crisp, refreshing mouthfeel unfolding into a soft, rice-derived umami.
This sake epitomizes our return to the roots of the junmai style, and our desire to craft exquisite sake that recalls tradition while resonating with the sensibilities of modern Akita Prefecture.
At our brewery, we adhere to a strict philosophy of producing only the highest quality junmai sake in limited quantities.
Yuki no Bijin is our sole brand, characterized by its depth, full body, gentle aroma, and crisp acidity.
We dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to the relentless pursuit of the highest quality.
We meticulously wash each 10 kg batch of rice by hand. This rice, specifically cultivated for sake brewing, is transformed into koji using traditional trays and an exacting method that is labor intensive but produces stellar results.
This artisanal approach, possible only in a small-scale brewery, is palpable in every sip.
We select only the finest rice, which we carefully nurture in a koji room built from Akita cedar.
Monitoring each step manually, we aim for a sake that is both light and clean.
Our koji-making process, known as “tsukihaze,” allows for thick mycelium threads that penetrate the rice, and we remove it from the koji room slightly earlier than is typical to maintain a delicate flavor profile.
Our shubo fermentation starter is prepared in the traditional Akita style, favoring a prolonged, low-temperature fermentation.
This method, extending over 30 days, enhances the aroma while presenting a clear flavor uncomplicated by imperfections.
To preserve purity and limit exposure to the air, and the “fresh-squeezed” sake is bottled immediately.
We brew year-round, across all four seasons, so our sake is always the freshest it can be.
“Yuki no Bijin” is unique in its sharp yet fresh flavor that gently spreads across the palate, making it an ideal accompaniment to a meal and versatile enough to pair with a wide range of dishes.
About Our Brewery
Refining time-honored techniques with an enterprising spirit.
Reaching new heights of quality with pristine craftsmanship.
Founded in 1919, Akita Jozo is a brewery steeped in history.
The first head of the brewery, Koichi Kobayashi, was a toji (chief brewer) under Uhee Sato when yeast No. 6 was discovered at Aramasa Shuzo in 1930.
In 2004, the third generation of Kobayashi, Tadahiko, became the first person in Akita Prefecture to assume the dual roles of kuramoto (brewer’s owner) and toji (chief brewer).
Since then, our brewery has exclusively produced high-quality junmai sake in limited quantities, utilizing small-capacity daiginjo tanks.
In 2001, Akita Jozo added a new building alongside a reinforced concrete apartment.
Leveraging advanced insulation and climate control, we uniquely brew year-round – a rarity for a micro-brewery with an annual production of about 600 koku*.
Despite its unassuming location on the ground floor of an apartment complex, we uphold the refined low-temperature fermentation techniques that have helped make Akita a renowned brewing region.
Tadahiko, now president of Akita Jozo, previously chaired the technical committee of the Akita Sake Brewers Association for 12 years.>
Celebrated for his thoughtful brewing theories and innovative practices, he is credited for significantly enhancing the quality of Akita’s sake.>
His efforts include serving as a sort of de facto leader of “NEXT5,” a collaborative group of five brewery owners in Akita.
While the essence of sake brewing lies in each brewery’s creativity, Akita’s sake has only recently achieved national recognition in Japan.
The quality of sake today is better than it has ever been, but we believe we can craft even more exceptional brews.
Committed to innovation, we aim to redefine excellence in sake brewing and make our mark in its evolving history.
*1 koku=180 liters, 600 koku=108 kl
Company
- Company
NameAkita Jozo - Address5-2, Narayama Noborimachi, Akita City, Akita Prefecture, 010-0021, Japan
- President/
Chief brewerTadahiko Kobayashi - Tel+81-18-832-2818
We do not sell directly at the brewery. Please contact the nearest sake retailer for more information. Also, as sake brewing facilities present some safety hazards, we do not allow tours of the brewery.