[Katagami City, Akita Prefecture] Popular Pro Mahjong Player Rio Tojo x Long-established Brewery Kodama Jozo Collaborate for the First Time: Limited Edition Label of Junmai Ginjo 'Chogetsu' Now Available via Hometown Tax

Katagami City, Akita Prefecture (Mayor: Yudai Suzuki) announces a collaboration project between Rio Tojo, a popular professional mahjong player and 'Katagami City Hometown Support Ambassador' who hails from the city, and 'Kodama Jozo Co., Ltd.', a long-established brewery founded in 1879. Rio Tojo personally visited the brewery to select the Junmai Ginjo 'Chogetsu,' which will be offered with a special design featuring the 'One-Pin' (1-dot) mahjong tile motif. Limited reservations will be accepted as a hometown tax return gift starting Saturday, March 28, 2026.

1. Project Background

A collaboration realized from a desire for her hometown, Iidagawa, Katagami City.

This project began with the passionate desire of Rio Tojo, a Katagami City native and Hometown Support Ambassador, to share the charm of her beloved hometown with the rest of the country through her activities. This led to a collaboration with Kodama Jozo, a historic brewery also located in Iidagawa, Katagami City, which resonated with her vision. Rio Tojo visited the brewery, toured the production site, and personally selected the sake for this collaboration after interacting with the brewers and conducting tastings. We are delivering this sake, brewed in her hometown, to fans nationwide with a special label reflecting her personal touch.

2. Design Details

A must-see for mahjong fans: A special label featuring the 'One-Pin' motif.

The theme of the limited edition label is 'Mahjong,' which is central to Rio Tojo's identity. Based on her own ideas, the 'One-Pin' mahjong tile is boldly featured, resulting in a stylish, unprecedented design that embodies her identity as a professional mahjong player. The bottle, which also features a printed signature from Rio Tojo, blends her glamorous image with the traditional appeal of Japanese sake, making it a highly collectible item for both mahjong and sake enthusiasts.

3. Product Details

Junmai Ginjo 'Chogetsu': The sake Rio Tojo chose instantly for its 'aroma'.

The sake selected for this collaboration is the Junmai Ginjo 'Chogetsu,' a source of pride for Kodama Jozo. It is a popular sake made with 100% 'Akita Sake Komachi,' a rice variety specifically suited for brewing. Using the secret 'Akita-style Kimoto' method, it brings out a fruity aroma and a robust umami flavor. By leveraging the cold of the snowy region and brewing slowly at extremely low temperatures, the brewery creates a magnificent ginjo aroma. It is a highly acclaimed sake that has received numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at IWC 2019, a Platinum Award at KURA MASTER 2022, and a Gold Medal at the 2022 U.S. National Sake Appraisal.