Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture; President & CEO: Kengo Suzuki; hereinafter “Tsunan Sake Brewery”) participated in and supported the Sake Tasting Championship Qualifier and the 11th Echigo-Tsumari Local Sake Festival, held on November 14, 2025, at the 2nd floor of Tokamachi Crossten.
The event welcomed approximately 65 participants, including brewers from four local sake breweries. Under the theme “Passing on Echigo-Tsumari’s Local Sake Culture to the Future,” the gathering highlighted both tradition and community engagement.
Part 1: Sake Tasting Championship Qualifier
The Sake Tasting Championship Qualifier, held from 6:00 PM, demonstrated that participants’ ability to distinguish subtle differences in aroma and flavor has steadily improved year by year—clear evidence that local sake culture is deeply rooted in the region.
Beyond alcohol content and sweetness, the competition emphasized the identification of key aromatic compounds that define ginjo-style sake, such as ethyl caproate and isoamyl acetate. The ability to sense and evaluate the concentration of these aroma components ultimately plays a critical role in high-level sake tasting.
Part 2: 11th Echigo-Tsumari Local Sake Festival (Networking Reception)
From 7:00 PM, a networking reception featuring the four local breweries was held. Previously organized during the summer, the festival was rescheduled to this season in response to the challenge that “many participants tend to prefer beer during the summer months.”
The current format focuses on in-depth dialogue, based on the belief that direct interaction among local brewers, retailers, and consumers is the most effective way to stimulate sake demand. This approach has fostered meaningful conversations and stronger connections within the local sake community.
“Diversity of Flavor” and “New Fan Communities” Revealed Through Interaction
At the reception, Tsunan Sake Brewery introduced several popular products alongside informational brochures:
- GO TERRACE
- GO VINO
- Tsunan Ai
Many regular sake consumers expressed interest in seeing more retail locations in Tokamachi carrying the GO Series, offering valuable insights for future distribution expansion. In addition, several attendees shared their desire to visit the brewery itself, highlighting growing engagement with the brand.
Toward a Future-Oriented Sake Brewing Rooted in the Region
While making full use of the terroir of one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall regions, Tsunan Sake Brewery is also pursuing innovative, science-driven brewing initiatives. These include AI-powered “Smart Brewing,” research into functional compounds such as ethyl-α-D-glucoside, and the upcycling of sake lees.
By preserving Echigo-Tsumari’s local sake culture while embracing new approaches, Tsunan Sake Brewery remains committed to delivering the unique flavors of the region to an ever-wider audience.
About Tsunan Sake Brewery
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is a sake brewery located in Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture. Situated in one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall areas, the brewery uses pristine natural water sourced from mountains rising over 2,000 meters above sea level.
Its sake brewing, using locally grown rice such as Gohyakumangoku and Uonuma-grown Koshihikari, is characterized by a balance of harmony with nature and innovation. The brewery’s brand concept is “Brew for Future – Brewing a Coexistent Future.”
In 2025, Tsunan Sake Brewery was awarded First Place (Niigata Governor’s Award) at the Echigo-style Sake Brewing Technology Championship, a prestigious competition recognizing excellence in brewing craftsmanship.
Tsunan Sake Brewery Website:
https://tsunan-sake.com/
