New Japanese Sake 'Shukko' Developed with Town Cooperation by Former Regional Revitalization Volunteer!
Onda Brewery releases new Japanese sake 'Shukko' using Izumozaki Town's brand rice 'Izumozaki no Kagayaki'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 23:39
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 23:28 (384h 32m after Collected)
In December Reiwa 7 (2025), Onda Brewery Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Muikaimachi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, Representative Director: Norio Onda) has launched a new Japanese sake brand for Izumozaki Town called "Shukko," developed in cooperation with the Izumozaki Town Hall and farmers cultivating "Izumozaki no Kagayaki." This new product is available for purchase at Michi-no-Eki Tenryo-no-Sato and other liquor stores within Izumozaki Town.
Product Overview
"Shukko" is made using 100% "Izumozaki no Kagayaki," a brand of Koshihikari rice cultivated in Izumozaki Town since 2020. It was developed with the goal of introducing the charm of the town to people both inside and outside Izumozaki as a new local product. By leveraging the characteristic of low-protein rice, one of the strict requirements for specially cultivated Koshihikari "Izumozaki no Kagayaki," we aimed for a fruity, sweet and sour taste. The name "Shukko" was inspired by participants of the Izumozaki Town Coming-of-Age Ceremony, with the desire that young people in Izumozaki would also enjoy it. Designed to pair well with Izumozaki's seafood, this sake offers a well-balanced sweetness and acidity, reminiscent of white wine.
Product Details
Currently, this product is available in two lineups: the 1st lot and the 2nd lot. The 1st lot is currently on sale, and the 2nd lot is scheduled for release in mid-April 2026. Except for Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) and online sites, it is exclusively sold at stores within Izumozaki Town.
The main difference between the 1st and 2nd lots lies in their production methods. The 1st lot uses high-temperature saccharification moto (a rapid brewing method), while the 2nd lot uses Sanki Amazake Moto (a Kimoto-style method). In terms of taste, the types of acidity differ. The 1st lot features yeast-derived acids (cool-tasting acids like citric acid and malic acid), while the 2nd lot primarily contains sake mother-derived acids (warm-tasting acids, mainly lactic acid). Sanki Amazake Moto is a method that has recently gained attention in the industry for its ability to stably produce Kimoto-style sake mother by adding cultured lactic acid bacteria to the sake mother. Onda Brewery is also adopting this method for its new brand, coinciding with its 150th anniversary.
Price
The price of "Shukko" is 2,500 yen (tax included) for a 720ml bottle. It is only available in the 720ml size (Shigo-bin bottle).
Future Development
A portion of the "Izumozaki no Kagayaki" from Reiwa 8 (2026) harvest is planned to be secured for Japanese sake brewing. This year, Bando, a former Izumozaki Town Regional Revitalization Volunteer and current Onda Brewery craftsman, has been involved in cultivation, including rice planting and harvesting, to make this a more community-rooted product. In the future, we aim to create an all-Izumozaki sake by using water from Izumozaki for brewing.