Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture; President: Kengo Suzuki; hereinafter “Tsunan Sake Brewery”) is pleased to announce the launch of the “Sake Upcycle Project” from July 2025 as part of an advanced resource circulation initiative utilizing sakekasu (sake lees), a by-product of sake production.
Tsunan Sake Brewery has previously engaged in initiatives to effectively utilize sake by-products for food applications, including supplying sake lees as an ingredient for Kamosugurt, a plant-based fermented yogurt developed by FARM8. In addition, in collaboration with MEMORY LAB Inc., the brewery has conducted a comprehensive technical survey of the sake production process using generative AI.
Building on these experiences, this project aims to promote broader reuse of sake-derived resources across various fields.
Three Key Development Themes: Innovative Use of Sake Lees and Sake-Derived Ingredients
The project focuses on the following three challenging themes, advancing research and development in collaboration with researchers and companies from diverse industries:
- Development of Semiconductor Materials from Sake Lees
Exploring the potential of transforming organic components in sake lees into carbon-based materials for use in conductive materials and environmentally conscious semiconductors. The project seeks to open up new possibilities for sake lees as a renewable resource. - Application Research on “SAKESOME” – Sake-Derived Nanoparticles
Fractionating beneficial micro-components contained in sake at the nanoparticle level, with potential applications in cosmetics, food products, and agricultural materials. Collaborative research with universities is currently underway. - Exploring Sake-Byproduct-Derived Materials for Cultured Food Ingredients
Investigating the use of by-products from sake production in cell cultivation processes, aiming for potential applications in the cultured meat industry. The project aspires to contribute to securing sustainable sources of protein.
From Sake By-Products to the World: Circular Innovation from a Regional Perspective
Through this project, Tsunan Sake Brewery intends to present a new proposal for a circular economy rooted in the rich natural resources of Tsunan and the brewery’s long-standing fermentation expertise. Our initiatives, which have always looked beyond traditional sake brewing to applications in fields such as food, beauty, environment, and biotechnology, will continue to evolve.
Tsunan Sake Brewery will continue to deepen collaborations with companies, research institutions, and local governments, striving to create social value centered on “upcycling.”
About Tsunan Sake Brewery
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is a sake brewery headquartered in Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Located in one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall areas, the brewery uses pristine natural water from springs fed by mountains over 2,000 meters in elevation. Tsunan Sake Brewery’s sake is characterized by a brewing style that harmoniously combines coexistence with nature and innovation, using locally grown sake rice such as Gohyakumangoku and Uonuma Koshihikari. Under the brand concept “Brew for Future — Brewing a Future of Coexistence,” Tsunan Sake Brewery received the Governor of Niigata Prefecture’s Award (First Prize) at the Echigo-ryu Sake Brewing Technology Championship in 2025.
https://tsunan-sake.com/
