{"title":"Hiraizumi Honpo· 飛良泉本舗","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNikaho, Akita Prefecture · Est. 1487\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eSome breweries carry history. Hiraizumi Honpo \u003cem\u003eis\u003c\/em\u003e history. Founded in 1487, during Japan's Muromachi period, it is the third oldest sake brewery in the country — and it is still in the hands of the same family, now in its 26th generation. When you drink their sake, you are drinking something that connects to a world five centuries old. We cannot imagine the weight of that inheritance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe Saito family were not brewers first. They were merchants — wealthy traders who owned kitamaebune, the great cargo ships that sailed Japan's Sea of Japan coast during the Edo and Meiji eras, carrying rice from Akita's fertile plains south to Osaka, and returning with kelp, herring, textiles, and goods from across the country. Sake brewing began as a side business, a way to add value to the rice they were already shipping. In time, it became the heart of everything. The brewery sits in Nikaho city, caught between the deep blue of the Sea of Japan and the dramatic silhouette of Mount Chokai — a sacred volcanic peak that towers over the region and feeds the brewery's groundwater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eIt was Masato's father, Shoichiro Saito, who built the name that Hiraizumi is known for today. He studied under the legendary Kinichiro Sakaguchi — the so-called \"Sake Doctor\" of Tokyo University, a global authority on fermentation — and returned to Nikaho to put that knowledge to work. He doubled down on yamahai: the slow, wild, deeply traditional fermentation method in which the yeast starter is developed over weeks without the protective addition of lactic acid, relying instead on a carefully managed ecosystem of naturally occurring microorganisms. Yamahai sake is known for its texture and grip — full-bodied, with depth, acidity, and a complexity that reflects the life of its fermentation. Under Shoichiro, Hiraizumi's yamahai became a reference point. Since 2023, every sake the brewery makes is yamahai.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThen Masato came home. After years working as a salesman at a broadcasting company in Tokyo, he returned to Nikaho in 2018 to take over as kuramoto and toji — carrying the full weight of the brewery on his shoulders, and choosing to carry it differently. His answer was the Hiten series, launched in 2019: a line built on the same yamahai foundation as everything his father made, but layered with a new kind of acidity. Masato experiments with white koji — the koji strain typically used in shochu production, which generates citric acid rather than the gentler acids of standard yellow koji. Combined with the lactic acid of yamahai fermentation and malic acid from a fresh, fruit-forward yeast, the result is sake of unusual brightness: aromatic, layered, and refreshing, with a presence that lands beautifully in a wine glass. Lower in alcohol, lighter in body, and alive with a citrusy lift — it is unmistakably modern, and unmistakably Hiraizumi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe brewery that survived five centuries did so by knowing when to hold tradition and when to expand it. Masato seems to know exactly which is which.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"maruhi-yamahai-junmai","title":"Maruhi Yamahai Junmai","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv title=\"Page 1\" class=\"page\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBrewed with Kyokai No. 77 yeast and using the traditional Yamahai method, this sake is an experimental brew from Hiraizumi Shuzo. Kyokai No. 77 produces high amounts of acidity - especially malic acid, making this a juicy sake. A bit of residual sugar balances out the acidity and gives the brew a much fuller body and presence than it might otherwise have. White wine lovers will enjoy this sake. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Rich\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSMV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e -\u003c\/span\u003e20.0  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAcidity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e+3.8\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAlc\u003c\/strong\u003e. 14%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSake Rice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e: ND\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePolishing ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e60% \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eServing Temperature:\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e℃～15℃\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hiraizumi Sake Brewery","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":48888491278662,"sku":"042001","price":38.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1800ml","offer_id":48888491311430,"sku":"042002","price":78.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0276\/0579\/4904\/files\/Hiraizumishuzo_Maruhiyamahai.webp?v=1781704701"},{"product_id":"hiraizumi-yamahai-junmai","title":"Hiraizumi Yamahai Junmai","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHiraizumi Shuzo has a strong commitment to brewing using the traditional Yamahai method. This is one of their signature sakes. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIt has a full-bodied flavour, a pleasant acidity, and a firmness that allows you to drink it without losing flavour. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Full bodied\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSMV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e+4.0  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAcidity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e+1.9 \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAlc\u003c\/strong\u003e. 15%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSake Rice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e: 74% Miyaminishiki (Sake rice) 26% Akita Komachi (Koji rice)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePolishing ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e 60%\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eServing Temperature:\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e℃～15℃\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hiraizumi Sake Brewery","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":48888539283782,"sku":"042006","price":39.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1800ml","offer_id":48888539316550,"sku":"042007","price":79.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0276\/0579\/4904\/files\/Hiraizumishuzo_Hiraizumiyamahai.webp?v=1781704657"},{"product_id":"hiten-hakucho","title":"Hiten Hakucho","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv title=\"Page 1\" class=\"page\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis sake uses a combination of white koji (citric acid) commonly used in shochu brewing, the association's No. 77 yeast (malic acid), and traditional yamahai brewing (lactic acid) to form a three-dimensional brew. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can feel a little sweetness when you first drink it, then the cold and sharp acidity will open up in the middle, and finally ends with a round and gentle finish, which is very unique. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e Refreshing\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSMV\u003c\/strong\u003e -19.0\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAcidity\u003c\/strong\u003e +4.2\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAlc\u003c\/strong\u003e. 15%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSake Rice\u003c\/strong\u003e : Akita Sake Komachi\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePolishing ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e : 60% (Kakemai) \u0026amp; 50% (Kojimai)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eServing Temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e : \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e5℃～15℃\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hiraizumi Sake Brewery","offers":[{"title":"720ml","offer_id":49476437410118,"sku":"042003","price":42.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1800ml","offer_id":49476437442886,"sku":"042004","price":84.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0276\/0579\/4904\/files\/Hiraizumishuzo_HitenHakucho.webp?v=1781704443"},{"product_id":"hiten-chidori-kijoshu-720ml","title":"Hiten Chidori Kijoshu 720ml","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"A slightly dry sake with a surprising complexity. The first sip may give you the impression of light sake with its fruity aroma’s. However it has a very rich and round mouthfeel with lots of umami that come out in layers. The rich texture of this sake make it suitable for pairing with fat rich dishes including meat and cooked fish dishes. \"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":15233,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"10\":0,\"11\":4,\"12\":0,\"14\":[null,2,0],\"15\":\"Calibri\",\"16\":10}' data-mce-fragment=\"1\" mce-data-marked=\"1\"\u003eKijoshu is a type of sweet sake. During fermentation, the last addition of water is replaced by sake which has the effect of stopping fermentation, like mutated wines, and thus retaining a certain sweetness. True to the style of Akita sake Hiraizumi's Kijoshu expresses a freshness that is rare for this style. Light, subtle with a touch of sweetness, a perfect sake for the end of the meal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e Light \u0026amp; Sweet\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSMV\u003c\/strong\u003e -135.0 \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAcidity\u003c\/strong\u003e +4\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAlc\u003c\/strong\u003e. 15%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSake Rice\u003c\/strong\u003e : Akita Sake Komachi\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePolishing ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e : 50%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eServing Temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e : \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e5℃～15℃\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hiraizumi Sake Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48888549409094,"sku":"042005","price":44.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0276\/0579\/4904\/files\/Hiraizumishuzo_Hitenchidori.webp?v=1781704420"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0276\/0579\/4904\/collections\/hiraizumi1.jpg?v=1781196100","url":"https:\/\/otemba-sake.com\/nl\/collections\/hiraizumi-honpo\/new.oembed","provider":"Otemba Sake","version":"1.0","type":"link"}