Concept
A journey across the Japanese archipelago with saké
A journey across
the Japanese archipelago
with saké
Experience a wide variety of saké through 24 different bottles and 12 magazines in total! You will learn not only the basics of saké, but also the history, culture, and gastronomy of Japan, as you travel around the Japanese archipelago.
Subscription
What’s Included:
・24 Premium bottles of Saké (720ml each)
・12 Magazines
・12 Handcrafted Saké cups & Goods
・1 Guidebook
Please note that shipping costs are not included.
Subscription
SUBSCRIBE
What’s Included:
・24 Premium bottles of Saké (720ml each)
・12 Magazines
・12 Handcrafted Saké cups & Goods
・1 Guidebook
Please note that shipping costs are not included.
Subscription
What’s Included:
・24 Premium bottles of Saké (720ml each)
・12 Magazines
・12 Handcrafted Saké cups & Goods
・1 Guidebook
Please note that shipping costs are not included.
vol.01
WEST TOHOKU
vol.01
WEST TOHOKU
Theme) Learn about the origins of saké and its relationship between religion and the beliefs and ideological aspects of the Japanese people.
Summary) The deep outlands of Japan / Mt Haguro / The food of yamabushi / Sakata, A trading hub in Western Tohoku / Yokote, manga central / Foodie destinations / Local ramen! / Kojima Sohonten / The ever-evolving saké / Beliefs of the people of Japan and the culture of saké / What does ‘junmai’ written on the label mean?
Theme) Learn about the origins of saké and its relationship between religion and the beliefs and ideological aspects of the Japanese people.
Summary) The deep outlands of Japan / Mt Haguro / The food of yamabushi / Sakata, A trading hub in Western Tohoku / Yokote, manga central / Foodie destinations / Local ramen! / Kojima Sohonten / The ever-evolving saké / Beliefs of the people of Japan and the culture of saké / What does ‘junmai’ written on the label mean?
The First Saké
Left: Kojima Sohonten “Toko Junmai-ginjo-genshu”
Right: Kojima Sohonten “Kojimaya Mudai Ninotaru (02 Cedar Barrel Aged)”
vol.02
KYUSHU/OKINAWA
vol.02
KYUSHU/OKINAWA
Theme) Learn about the hot spring culture and variety of saké in Japan, also known as the Volcano Archipelago.
Summary) Outburst after outburst / Beppu, Japan's largest hot spring village / Aso, primordial lands / Fukuoka (Hakata), the city of food stalls / Okinawa, a utopia / Foodie destinations / Local ramen! / Kawazu Saké Brewery / Dry and sweet saké / Revel in the geothermal waters and savor nature’s bounty / What do the words “nihonshu-do” and “acidity” on the back label mean?
Theme) Learn about the hot spring culture and variety of saké in Japan, also known as the Volcano Archipelago.
Summary) Outburst after outburst / Beppu, Japan's largest hot spring village / Aso, primordial lands / Fukuoka (Hakata), the city of food stalls / Okinawa, a utopia / Foodie destinations / Local ramen! / Kawazu Saké Brewery / Dry and sweet saké / Revel in the geothermal waters and savor nature’s bounty / What do the words “nihonshu-do” and “acidity” on the back label mean?
The Second Saké
Left: Kawazu Saké Brewery “Junmai-ginjo Hanayuki”
Right: Kawazu Saké Brewery “Hanayuki AGEHA Sparkling”
vol.03
SHIKOKU
vol.03
SHIKOKU
Theme) Learn about the unique culture and climate of Shikoku and the Japanese drinking culture rooted in this area.
Summary) The sea route is shorter, the mountain route is longer / Kochi, with neighboring towns across the sea / Kagawa, the land of dry weather / Tokushima, the other stage in the shadows of Kansai / Foodies destinations / Suigei Brewing Company / Why we drink and dance / Why are some saké more expensive than others?
Theme) Learn about the unique culture and climate of Shikoku and the Japanese drinking culture rooted in this area.
Summary) The sea route is shorter, the mountain route is longer / Kochi, with neighboring towns across the sea / Kagawa, the land of dry weather / Tokushima, the other stage in the shadows of Kansai / Foodies destinations / Suigei Brewing Company / Why we drink and dance / Why are some saké more expensive than others?
The Third Saké
Left: Suigei Brewing Company "Suigei Tokubetsu Junmai-shu"
Right: Suigei Brewing Company "Suigei Junmai Daiginjo Ya"
vol.04
HOKKAIDO
vol.04
HOKKAIDO
Theme) Learn about the culture of Hokkaido, the land of the north, and the flavour characteristics of different saké ingredients.
Summary) The Frontier of Japan / Shiraoi, Tthe hub of Ainu culture / Asahikawa, a military city / Sapporo, a northern metropolis / Japan’s top airport for foodies / Foodie destinations / Local ramen! / Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery / Know water to know saké / Knowing more about Japanese food and its past trends / In the same way as grape varieties in wine,
does rice variety determine the flavor of saké?
Theme) Learn about the culture of Hokkaido, the land of the north, and the flavour characteristics of different saké ingredients.
Summary) The Frontier of Japan / Shiraoi, Tthe hub of Ainu culture / Asahikawa, a military city / Sapporo, a northern metropolis / Japan’s top airport for foodies / Foodie destinations / Local ramen! / Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery / Know water to know saké / Knowing more about Japanese food and its past trends / In the same way as grape varieties in wine,
does rice variety determine the flavor of saké?
The Fourth Saké
Left: Kamikawa Taisetsu Saké Brewery "Kamikawa Taisetsu Junmai Daiginjo"
Right: Kamikawa Taisetsu Saké Brewery "Tokachi Junmai Daiginjo"
vol.05
KOSHIN-HIDA
vol.05
KOSHIN-HIDA
Theme) Learn about mountainous roadside towns, ancient beliefs, and the culture of ageing and fermentation in saké.
Summary) The Foreign Land of the Mountains / Hida Takayama, Mysteries of History / Suwa, Sacred Site of Ancient Beliefs / Fuji North Foot, Home of the Fire God / Kiso, Difficult Place to Travel / Matsumoto, City of Culture / Food and Saké for Travellers / Local Ramen / Introduction to Breweries: Hirata Saké Brewery / Ageing in Saké / The Essence of a Fermentation Powerhouse, Profile of Sushi / You often hear the terms ‘brewery,’ ‘toji,’ and ‘kura-nin,’ but how do they differ?
Theme) Learn about mountainous roadside towns, ancient beliefs, and the culture of ageing and fermentation in saké.
Summary) The Foreign Land of the Mountains / Hida Takayama, Mysteries of History / Suwa, Sacred Site of Ancient Beliefs / Fuji North Foot, Home of the Fire God / Kiso, Difficult Place to Travel / Matsumoto, City of Culture / Food and Saké for Travellers / Local Ramen / Introduction to Breweries: Hirata Saké Brewery / Ageing in Saké / The Essence of a Fermentation Powerhouse, Profile of Sushi / You often hear the terms ‘brewery,’ ‘toji,’ and ‘kura-nin,’ but how do they differ?
The Fifth Saké
Left: Hirata Shuzojo Long-aged Old Saké Suio
Right: Hirata Shuzojo Shoryu no Mai Junmai Ginjo
Contents
Japanese premium Saké (24 bottles)
You can enjoy 24 bottles of premium saké made using traditional brewing methods, which have been registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Magazine (12 books)
An 80-page cultural magazine. Each issue takes you on an in-depth journey exploring food culture, subcultures, sake information, and themed articles from all over Japan.
*The guidebook is delivered in English on the first shipment. Other languages (German, Italian, Japanese) are available as digital books.
Guidebook (1 book)
This guide is useful for beginners who may think "What is saké? I've never had it before, but I'm interested in it", but also for intermediate-level drinkers who want to go back to the basics.
*The guidebook is delivered in English on the first shipment. Other languages (German, Italian, Japanese) are available as digital books.
Freebies (12 items)
Saké ware and other goods to help you enjoy saké more, as well as furoshiki (wrapping cloths) and bookmarks to help you feel more familiar with Japanese culture.
Saké Map
SAKE OTAKU offers 24 bottles of saké in total.
All of them are of great quality and are purchased that reflect the terroir of the different regions and the philosophy of the different producers. Even beginners can learn about the individuality of different saké in an easy way.
Let's Enjoy Japan
-
Subscribe
Start your saké journey by choosing a plan that is right for you
-
Receive
Hand-picked seasonal and must-try Japanese saké sent to you every 3 months
-
Enjoy
Authentic traditional saké from prefectures and seasons around Japan, embark on a cultural tasting adventure
About Us
We are Tokyo-based wine importers and distributors. Our company offers a number of subscription services that include various bottles of wine and textbooks, which include information on the thoughts and philosophy of different winemakers, the history, culture, and climate of the different producing regions.
Ken'ichiro Suzuki
Saké Otaku Director
Born in Kyoto, living in Naples, Italy. Sommelier. "I believe that if we continue to carry out cultural exchange with all our hearts, we can pass on a peaceful society to the next generation. With Saké Otaku I hope to bring you great Japanese sake with sincerity."
Koji Hayashi
Vino Hayashi CEO
Founded Vino Hayashi Corporation in 2010. "In the course of creating Saké Otaku, I visited saké breweries all over Japan, and once again realised the splendour of Japan. I am sending Saké Otaku from Japan with a prayer for peace." Father of two living in Tokyo.
Marta Molteni
Saké Otaku Manager
Born in Italy, living in Tokyo, Japan. "I have been passionate about Japanese culture since I was young, and I hope that through Saké Otaku many people will discover and get to know the charms of Japan."
User’s Guide
