Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture; President & CEO: Kengo Suzuki; hereinafter “Tsunan Sake Brewery”) participated in the “Niigata Sake & Food Festival in Osaka,” held from Thursday, October 9 to Monday, October 13, 2025 (public holiday) at the 9th Floor Event Hall of Kintetsu Department Store Abeno Harukas Main Store.
At the event, the brewery conducted tasting and sales activities, primarily featuring its “GO” series of sake made exclusively from 100% Uonuma-grown Koshihikari rice.
Engagement with Visitors and Local Reception
During the three-day holiday period in particular, a large number of visitors stopped by the Tsunan Sake Brewery booth. Many engaged directly with the brewery’s representatives, listening attentively to explanations about the terroir of Tsunan, the role of snow, rice, and water, and the brewery’s dedication to craftsmanship.
Visitors from Osaka and the wider Kansai region shared enthusiastic feedback such as “The umami of the rice is clearly expressed,” “I’ve never tasted such an aromatic sake,” and “This really showcases the potential of Uonuma Koshihikari rice.”
As a result, several products—especially “GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition”—sold out on multiple days, reflecting very strong sales performance throughout the event.
Background Behind the Popularity of the “GO” Series
One of the key points that drew attention was Tsunan Sake Brewery’s commitment to using not only premium rice but also snowmelt-fed underground water, combined with low-temperature fermentation unique to heavy snowfall regions.
Even in a major urban market like Osaka, the story of Uonuma’s natural environment and snow country heritage resonated strongly with visitors, enabling the brewery to reach new audiences and cultivate new fans.
Sales Performance and Future Outlook
- GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition: Widely sampled and frequently purchased as a gift item
- GO VINO / GO DOLCE: Highly appreciated by younger consumers and female customers as expressions of new possibilities for sake
- Tsunan Haku (つなん白): Praised for its clean, refreshing profile inspired by the snow country terroir
The results of this exhibition confirmed that brand recognition for Tsunan Sake Brewery is steadily expanding in the Kansai region. The strong response also suggests promising opportunities for future department store events, restaurant placements, and potential permanent retail listings.
Comment from the President
Kengo Suzuki, President & CEO, Tsunan Sake Brewery:
“I was deeply moved by how people in Osaka listened to our stories about Tsunan’s snow, rice, and water directly from the brewery, and then shared their impressions after tasting our sake. Niigata’s sake culture offers a rich experience that allows people to truly feel the land itself. Moving forward, we will continue to share the blessings of Uonuma and our fermentation expertise across Japan and around the world.”
About Tsunan Sake Brewery
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is a sake brewery located in Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture—one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall regions. The brewery uses natural spring water originating from mountains rising over 2,000 meters as its brewing water.
By utilizing locally grown sake rice such as Gohyakumangoku and Uonuma Koshihikari, Tsunan Sake Brewery pursues a brewing style that blends harmony with nature and innovation. Guided by its brand concept, “Brew for Future – Brewing a Coexistent Future,” the brewery continues to explore new expressions of sake.
In 2025, Tsunan Sake Brewery was awarded the Niigata Governor’s Prize (First Place) at the Echigo-style Sake Brewing Technology Competition, recognizing excellence in brewing craftsmanship.
Tsunan Sake Brewery Website:
https://tsunan-sake.com/
