SUI SUI

Hiten / Hiraizumi Honpo

Akita Prefecture since 1487, one of the oldest breweries of Japan
SUI SUI

Masaaki Saito

26th Generation President, Owner & Toji

When we arrived to the brewery for our first visit, we saw Masaaki Saito moving swiftly in the background with the brewery team. Deeply involved in all aspects of the brewing process, his hands touch the sake each step of the way. He was first in the koji room with zen-like movements drawing into the koji rice to regulate the temperature. Then as he greeted us on his way out, we found him later knee deep helping to unload the freshly cooled steamed rice.\n\nMasaaki Saito is one of the most humble people we have had the chance to meet. As spectacular as his sakes are, he would always repeatedly say that he has more to learn, more to improve and that luck plays a role in the results of his work. But we feel he has great talent and is deeply respected as a caring leader.

HIRAIZUMI'S STYLE They are the masters of the yamahai method, bringing in beautiful lactic fermentation to their sakes. On top of that, they experiement with white koji which adds beautiful notes of acidity. The character is refreshing, fruity and sour tasting like a hybrid of fruity sakes with light white wines. A good to know: Hiraizumi has two brands. The core Hiraizumi line as well as the high-end Hiten product line. We are proud to bring both to Germany.
HIRAIZUMI & HITEN A good to know: Hiraizumi has two brands. The core Hiraizumi line as well as the high-end Hiten product line. We are proud to bring both to Germany.
HIRAIZUMI'S STYLE They are the masters of the yamahai method, bringing in beautiful lactic fermentation to their sakes. On top of that, they experiement with white koji which adds beautiful notes of acidity. The character is refreshing, fruity and sour tasting like a hybrid of fruity sakes with light white wines. A good to know: Hiraizumi has two brands. The core Hiraizumi line as well as the high-end Hiten product line. We are proud to bring both to Germany.
HIRAIZUMI & HITEN A good to know: Hiraizumi has two brands. The core Hiraizumi line as well as the high-end Hiten product line. We are proud to bring both to Germany.
Yamahai Honshikomi Cup
Hiraizumi
€7,80 EUR
(€10,83 EUR / 1 l)
Tsubame
Hiten
€67,00 EUR
(€93,06 EUR / 1 l)
Hakucho
Hiten
€43,50 EUR
(€60,42 EUR / 1 l)
Hina Light
Hiten
€52,00 EUR
(€72,22 EUR / 1 l)
Maruhi
Hiraizumi
€36,00 EUR
(€50,00 EUR / 1 l)
Chidori
Hiten
€45,00 EUR
(€62,50 EUR / 1 l)
Sold out
Hakucho Black
Hiten
€43,00 EUR
(€59,72 EUR / 1 l)
Sold out

Hiraizumi Yeast

The brewery has their own proprietary yeast, found on these old tools in the brewery from centuries before. The yeast was then isolated and now used to create some of their sakes.

Hiraizumi is, we believe, the second oldest existing brewery in Japan. We were shown old aging sakes in their storage. Some were undated and we could only dream of how long it was sitting in the building. A tasting of one of the bottles showed deep complexity, layered umami and took on some taste of the salty sea air. Hiraizumi plans in the future to sell this special Koshu.

Nikaho & its Surroundings

Located right at the coast of the Sea of Japan, Hiraizumi practices traditional winter brewing. The winters are extremely harsh and cold. As we stood outside, we could hear the waves crashing and the wind almost blew us away. The chill went straight through our thick jackets to the bone.