November 9, 2018
Office of Analysis and Brewing Technology
Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau

1. Outline

(1) About the Tohoku Sake Awards
 The Tohoku Sake Awards (Tohoku Seishu Kanpyokai) are held annually in the autumn under the auspices of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau. The purpose of this competition is to raise the technical level of sake brewers in the Tohoku region (i.e., Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures), thereby contributing to the sound development of the sake brewing industry in Japan.
 The sake brewers of the Tohoku region are well renowned for their first-class brewing technique. Using top-quality rice, they use all their skills and effort to produce the best sake possible.
 Sakes submitted to the Tohoku Sake Awards are brewed in the previous winter and left to mature for about six months. After a stringent process including careful examination by a jury of experts, sakes of only the most prominent quality are selected. Prizes are given to the winning brewers at the awards ceremony.

(2) Review of 2018
 In 2018, 146 breweries submitted a total of 388 sakes to two categories; ginjo-shu and junmai-shu. The quality examinations were held in October, with 68 of the participating breweries aiming to win prizes. Certificates were then granted to the prizewinners of each category at the awards ceremony held on November 9, by the commissioner of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau.
 The Great East Japan Earthquake struck the Tohoku region in March 2011, and as a result many breweries suffered severe damage. However, sakes submitted to the Tohoku Sake Awards exhibited superb quality, supported by the brewing techniques found at Japan’s topmost level. This fact indicates that the breweries of the Tohoku region have already taken a great step toward recovery, with their strong unyielding will.

2. Entry

(1) Qualification for entry
 Licensed sake breweries located within the jurisdiction of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau (i.e., Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures)

(2) Eligible sakes
 Sakes from the below-mentioned categories that were brewed at the entrant’s own production site between July 2017 and June 2018

(3) Categories
 Ginjo-shu and Junmai-shu, as stipulated in the “Labeling Standard for the Manufacturing Process and Quality of Sake” (NTA notice #8 in 1989)

(4) Number of entries permitted
 Each licensed sake brewery can submit up to three entries in total for the two categories. However, the number of entries for one category cannot be more than two.

3. Quality Examinations

(1) Schedule

  • -Preliminary examination: October 1-3, 2018
  • -Final examination: October 5, 2018

(2) Process
 The jurors assess the quality of each sample by sensory evaluation. All examinations are blind and administered by category. In the preliminary examinations, each sample is scrutinized for distinct attributes of aroma, taste, and appearance, to clarify a sensory profile. The samples are also given scores based on their overall quality. After this preliminary process, the highest scoring entries, which represent approximately half of the total entries, are selected for the final examination. In the final examination, the chosen sakes are once again judged and subsequently ranked by their overall quality. The award winners are determined based on their final rankings.

(3) Evaluation policy
Overall quality is determined based on the following style-based categories:

  • - Ginjo-shu: well-balanced flavor, characteristic aroma, and delicate taste
  • - Junmai-shu: refined flavor with umami (savoriness) and round texture

(4) Jury
Jurors were selected from a pool of experts, including:

  • - Academics in the field of sake brewing
  • - Staff members from the National Research Institute of Brewing (NRIB)
  • - Staff members from prefectural brewing-related organizations
  • - Sake experts/manufacturers recommended by the prefectural sake and shochu makers’ associations of the Tohoku region
  • - Technical officers from the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau

List of Jurors 2018

Name Affiliations Participating Examinations
KATSUMI HASHIDUME DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE SCIENCE,AKITA PREFECTURAL UNIVERSITY GF, JF
TOMOAKI SAITO AOMORI PREFECTURAL INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER,HIROSAKI INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE GF, JF
AKIRA OGURA AOMORI PREFECTURAL INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER,HIROSAKI INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE GP, JP
KENICHI NAGANE MOMOKAWA BREWING,INC. JP
TAKUMI SATO HATOMASAMUNE CORPORATION GP
KAORU ADACHI NISHIDASYUZOUTEN CO.,LTD. GF, JF
NARUHIDE SATO IWATE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE JP
SHIGEKI NAKAYAMA IWATE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE GP
YUICHI YONEKURA IWATE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE GF, JF
HIROMI ONO HIDETOSHI HIROTA JP
MASAYUKI NISHIDATE KIKUNOTSUKASA SAKE BREWING CO.,LTD GP
MAKOTO TAKAHASHI RYOJI TAKAHASHI GF, JF
KENYA HASHIMOTO INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, JP
MIYAGI PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT
JUNICHI ISHIKAWA INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, GP
MIYAGI PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT
KENJI ITO MIYAGI SAKE AND SHOCHU MAKERS ASSOCIATION GF, JF
KAICHIRO SAITO KAKUBOSHI CO.,LTD. JP
TOSHIAKI HIRATSUKA ABEKAN SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD. GP
TAKAHIRO HIRAI HIRAKOU CORPORATION GF, JF
TSUYOSHI OHNO AKITA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND BREWING JP
SHO SHINDO AKITA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND BREWING GP
SEIEI WATANABE AKITA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND BREWING GF, JF
GEN KODATE AKITA SHUZO CO.,LTD JP
JISHU SATO KIMURA BREWERY INC. GP
NAOAKI KURIBAYASHI KURIBAYASHI BREWING&CO. GF, JF
SHINPEI KUDOH YAMAGATA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GP, JP
HIROYOSHI ISHIGAKI YAMAGATA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GF, JF
AKITSUNA TAKAGI TAKAGISHUZO CO.,LTD. JP
MASASHI JIN AZUMANOFUMOTO LIMITED COMPANY GP
TOSHIHITO WATARAI WATARAI SAKE BREWING CO.,LTD. GF, JF
NATSUKO NAKAJIMA AIZUWAKAMATSU TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTRE JP
FUKUSHIMA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
NOBUHIRO KIKUCHI AIZUWAKAMATSU TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTRE GP
FUKUSHIMA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
KENJI SUZUKI AIZUWAKAMATSU TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTRE GF, JF
FUKUSHIMA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
YUJIRO ARIGA ARIGA JOZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JP
EIICHI SHIRAI SHIRAISHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GP
HIROYUKI MATSUZAKI MATSUZAKI SAKE BREWING CO.,LTD. GF, JF
JOHN GAUNTNER SAKE WORLD,INC. GF, JF
PHILIP HARPER THE KINOSHITA BREWERY GF, JF
YUICHI YOSHIDA NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF BREWING GF, JF
KENTARO ISHIDA OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, GP, JP, GF, JF
SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU
TAKAYUKI EMURA OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, GP, JP, GF, JF
SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU
TAKEHIRO AKUTSU OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, GP, JP, GF, JF
SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU
MASAKI NOSE OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, GP, JP, GF, JF
SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU
KEITA YAMADA OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, GP, JP, GF, JF
SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU
YUKI TAMURA OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, GP, JP, GF, JF
SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU

Abbreviations: GP, Ginjo-shu preliminary ex.; JP, Junmai-shu preliminary ex.; GF, Ginjo-shu final ex.; JF, Junmai-shu final ex.

4. Awards

 Entrants earning high scores in the final examination are awarded an honor prize. The number of recipients of this prize is limited, and only those placing in the top one-third of all entrants in each category are eligible. Among entrants receiving honor prizes, the “Grand Honor Prize” is awarded to those placing first in each category, and “Special Honor Prizes” are awarded to those placing second or third. Certificates are then granted to each of the prizewinners by the Commissioner of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau.

5. Statistics

(1) Number of Entries

Prefecture Ginjo-shu Junmai-shu Total
Aomori 16 (9) 11 (9) 27 (9)
Iwate 26 (16) 17 (14) 43 (17)
Miyagi 35 (21) 24 (19) 59 (24)
Akita 42 (26) 34 (24) 76 (27)
Yamagata 60 (36) 36 (30) 96 (37)
Fukushima 52 (30) 35 (27) 87 (32)
Total 231 (138) 157 (123) 388 (146)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries

(Previous Year)

Prefecture Ginjo-shu Junmai-shu Total
Aomori 18  (9) 9  (9) 27  (9)
Iwate 29 (15) 15 (15) 44 (16)
Miyagi 44 (23) 17 (17) 61 (23)
Akita 50 (25) 23 (23) 73 (26)
Yamagata 66 (34) 33 (33) 99 (35)
Fukushima 51 (27) 30 (30) 81 (34)
Total 258 (133) 127 (127) 385 (143)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries

(2) Number of Prizewinners (including Grand Honor, Special Honor and Honor Prizes)

Prefecture Ginjo-shu Junmai-shu Total
Aomori 5  (3) 3  (3) 8  (4)
Iwate 5  (3) 4  (3) 9  (4)
Miyagi 9  (8) 7  (6) 16 (13)
Akita 10  (7) 11 (10) 21 (12)
Yamagata 16 (11) 5  (5) 21 (13)
Fukushima 21 (17) 19 (15) 40 (22)
Total 66 (49) 49 (42) 115 (68)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries

(Previous Year)

Prefecture Ginjo-shu Junmai-shu Total
Aomori 5  (3) 3  (3) 8  (3)
Iwate 8  (6) 6  (6) 14  (7)
Miyagi 9  (6) 7  (7) 16 (11)
Akita 15 (10) 14 (14) 29 (17)
Yamagata 10  (8) 8  (8) 18 (12)
Fukushima 14 (12) 11 (11) 25 (15)
Total 61 (45) 49 (49) 110 (65)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries

6. List of Prizewinners

 In regard only to entrants awarded with the “Grand Honor Prize” or the “Special Honor Prizes”, tasting notes by two foreign jurors are published.

(1) Ginjo-shu Category

a. Grand Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Akita KIMURA BREWERY INC. JCN8410001010073 FUKUKOMACHI
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors
  • JOHN GAUNTNER(SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
    Vanilla and citrus aromas that are very connected to the flavors.
    Very full flavor that tapers into a nice sweetness and astringency.
  • PHILIP HARPER(THE KINOSHITA BREWERY)
    Sharp, crisp aromatics. Green wood and anise. Opens with a brisk dry attack,
    closing to a dry finish with nutty afternotes.

b. Special Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Akita AZAKURASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN1410001008768 AZAKURA
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors
  • JOHN GAUNTNER(SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
    Orange, apple and plum nuances in the aromas and the flavor as well.
    Full rice-laden rich flavor that tapers in the finish thanks to a pleasant acidity.
  • PHILIP HARPER(THE KINOSHITA BREWERY)
    Rich nose with ripe tropical fruit. Sweet tropical fruit flavor blossoms instantly,
    fading to lingering chocolatey bitterness.
Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Akita SAIYASHUZOTEN CO., LTD. JCN6410001004787 YUKINOBOUSHA KACHOUGESSEKI
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors
  • JOHN GAUNTNER(SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
    Slightly rich and smoky aromas lead into a full, broad flavor reined in by an very bright acidity, but with aromas expressive to the finish.
  • PHILIP HARPER(THE KINOSHITA BREWERY)
    Pineapple with an undertone of cooked rice. Less sweet than expected impression
    on the palate dominated by minerally bitterness.

c. Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Aomori NISHIDASHUZOTEN CO., LTD. JCN9420001001673 KINKAN KIKUIZUMI
Aomori HACHINOHESHURUI CORPORATION GONOHEKOUJOU JCN8420001006418 JYOKU
Aomori MOMOKAWA BREWING, INC. JCN6420001012244 MOMOKAWA
Iwate ASABIRAKI CO., LTD. JCN8400001000067 ASABIRAKI
Iwate HAMACHIDORI CO., LTD. JCN4400001007322 HAMACHIDORI
Iwate NANBUBIJIN JCN8400001007847 NANBUBIJIN
BASENKYOUKURA CO., LTD.
Miyagi UCHIGASAKI BREWING CO. JCN3370003001278 HOYO
Miyagi SAURA COMPANY, LIMITED YAMOTOGURA JCN5370601000266 URAKASUMI
Miyagi HIRAKOUSHUZO CORPORATION JCN6370301001456 HITAKAMI
Miyagi SAURA COMPANY, LIMITED JCN5370601000266 URAKASUMI
Miyagi GENERAL PARTNERSHIP KAWAKEI SHOTEN JCN5370203000219 KOGANESAWA
Miyagi NAKAYUSHUZOTEN CORPORATION JCN6370201002364 TENJOMUGEN
Miyagi ZAOSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN8370101001308 ZAO
Miyagi CHIDASHUZO CORPORATION JCN8370201003071 KURIKOMAYAMA
Akita AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA JCN8410001000388 TAKASHIMIZU
Akita ARAMASA SHUZO CO., LTD. JCN8410001000157 ARAMASA
Akita TENJUSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN3410001005235 TENJU
Akita AKITA MEIJYO COMPANY LIMITED JCN5410001005431 RANMAN
Yamagata KOTOBUKITORAYASHUZO CORPORATION JCN1390001000587 JUKYUGURA
Yamagata DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. JCN5390001004452 DEWAZAKURA
Yamagata DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. YAMAGATAGURA JCN5390001004452 DEWAZAKURA
Yamagata KOIKAWASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN1390001006816 KOIKAWA
Yamagata TAKENO TSUYU SAKAGURA CO., LTD. JCN8390003000538 HAKURO SUISHU
Yamagata FUJISHUZO CO., LTD. JCN8390001007782 EIKO FUJI
Yamagata SAKATA SHUZO CO., LTD. JCN5390001006226 JYOKIGEN
Yamagata SUGIISAMIWARABIOKA BREWERY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN7390003000456 SUGIISAMI
Yamagata MATSUYAMASHUZOU CO., LTD. JCN8390001007254 MATSUMINE NO FUJI
Yamagata TAKAGISHUZO CO., LTD. JCN4390001009320 JUYONDAI
Yamagata ROKKASENSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE JCN7390005005619 TEMAHIMA
Fukushima KINSUISHO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. JCN4380002000997 KINSUISHO
Fukushima EISEN SHUZO CO., LTD. JCN6380001017280 EISHIRO
Fukushima SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. HAKASEKURA JCN2380001017549 GENSAI
Fukushima TATSUIZUMISHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN9380003001775 KYONOHANA
Fukushima TSURUNOESYUZO CO., LTD. JCN7380001017619 AIZUCHUJO
Fukushima TOYOKUNI SHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN4380003001862 GAKUJURO
Fukushima NAGURAYAMA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. JCN6380001017685 NAGURAYAMA
Fukushima MIYAIZUMI CO., LTD. JCN1380001017896 MIYAIZUMI
Fukushima SATOUSYUZOU CO., LTD. JCN4380001007977 MIHARUKOMA
Fukushima TOYOKUNI SHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN3380003000799 AZUMA TOYOKUNI
Fukushima SASAMASAMUNESHUZO CORPORATION JCN4380001018636 SASAMASAMUNE
Fukushima YOSHINOGAWASHUZOUTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN8380003001941 AIZU YOSHINOGAWA
Fukushima NINKISHUZO CO., LTD. JCN1380001009951 NINKIICHI
Fukushima HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE JCN1380005003942 OKUNOMATSU
Fukushima AIZUSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN4380001019114 TAJIMA
Fukushima KOKKENSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN5380001019146 KOKKEN
Fukushima WATANABE KENICHI   KAITO OTOKOYAMA

JCN indicates Japan Corporate Number

(2) Junmai-shu Category

a. Grand Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Fukushima TSURUNOESYUZO CO., LTD. JCN7380001017619 AIZUCHUJO
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors
  • JOHN GAUNTNER(SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
    Banana-tinged aromas is followed by a flavor that is rich, slightly sweet, and balanced overall. That light finish is especially appealing.
  • PHILIP HARPER(THE KINOSHITA BREWERY)
    Flowery ginjo aromatics supplemented by lactic notes. Plenty of sweetness topped by bitter/acid edge, meshing in pleasant umami combination.

b. Special Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Iwate ASABIRAKI CO., LTD. JCN8400001000067 ASABIRAKI
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors
  • JOHN GAUNTNER(SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
    Mellow, broad aromas opens to a full, umami-driven thick flavor that is the core of the overall flavor profile. Solid, focused and rich.
  • PHILIP HARPER(THE KINOSHITA BREWERY)
    Sour and spicy nose reflects zesty flavor. Richly sweet and sour on the palate,fading to lingering gentle umami.
Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Akita SAIYASHUZOTEN CO., LTD. JCN6410001004787 YUKINOBOUSHA CHOUSETSU
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors
  • JOHN GAUNTNER(SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
    Bright apple and peach notes in the prominent aroma. Full, textured flavors are drawn into a clean finish, inviting yet one more sip.
  • PHILIP HARPER(THE KINOSHITA BREWERY)
    Sharp but still rich nose, spicy with prominent licorice. Soft, sweet attack pulled together by herbal bitter notes. Spicy afternotes and grainy finish.

c. Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Aomori NISHIDASHUZOTEN CO., LTD. JCN9420001001673 KINKAN KIKUIZUMI
Aomori NARUMIJYOUZOUTEN CO., LTD. JCN2420001009987 INAMURAYABUNSHIROU
Aomori MOMOKAWA BREWING, INC. JCN6420001012244 MOMOKAWA
Iwate AKABU SHUZO CORPORATION JCN5400001007445 AKABU
Iwate HAMACHIDORI CO., LTD. JCN4400001007322 HAMACHIDORI
Miyagi SASAKISYUZOUTEN CO., LTD. JCN6370802000270 HOUSEN NAMINOOTO
Miyagi SAURA COMPANY, LIMITED JCN5370601000266 URAKASUMI
Miyagi ICHINOKURA CORPORATION HONSHAKURA JCN4370201000031 ICHINOKURA HONSHAKURA
Miyagi YAMAWASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN2370201002401 WASHIGAKUNI GETSURIN MEISOUSUI
Miyagi KANENOISHUZOU CO., LTD. JCN9370201003145 WATAYA
Miyagi HAGINOSHUZO COMPANY, LIMITED JCN7370201003139 HAGINOTSURU
Akita AKITASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN2410001001020 SUIRAKUTEN
Akita AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA JCN8410001000388 TAKASHIMIZU
Akita ARAMASA SHUZO CO., LTD. JCN8410001000157 ARAMASA
Akita FUKUROKUJUSHUZO CORPORATION JCN7410001003499 IPPAKUSUISEI
Akita ASAMAISYUZO CO., LTD. JCN3410001008956 AMANOTO
Akita TENJUSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN3410001005235 TENJU
Akita HIRAIZUMIHONPO CORPORATION JCN8410001005189 HIRAIZUMI
Akita KIMURA BREWERY INC. JCN8410001010073 FUKUKOMACHI
Akita KARIHOSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN9410001007903 KARIHO
Yamagata KOJIMASOHONTEN CO., LTD. JCN1390001009851 TOKO
Yamagata YONETSURUSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN8390001010456 YONETSURU
Yamagata KOIKAWASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN1390001006816 BEPPIN
Yamagata FUJISHUZO CO., LTD. JCN8390001007782 EIKO FUJI
Yamagata TAKAGISHUZO CO., LTD. JCN4390001009320 JUYONDAI
Fukushima EISEN SHUZO CO., LTD. JCN6380001017280 EISEN
Fukushima SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. KAEIKURA JCN2380001017549 SUEHIRO KAEIKURA
Fukushima SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. HAKASEKURA JCN2380001017549 GENSAI
Fukushima TOYOKUNI SHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN4380003001862 MEOTOSAKURA
Fukushima SATOUSYUZOU CO., LTD. JCN4380001007977 MIHARUKOMA
Fukushima SATOUSYUZOUTEN CORPORATION JCN7380002009846 FUJINOI
Fukushima WATANABE SHUZOHONTEN CO., LTD. JCN4380002013173 YUKIKOMACHI
Fukushima TOYOKUNI SHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN3380003000799 CHOH
Fukushima MATSUZAKI SAKE BREWING CO.,LTD. JCN8380001029290 HIROTOGAWA
Fukushima YAMATOGAWA SHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN5380003001936 YAUEMON
Fukushima YOSHINOGAWASHUZOUTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN8380003001941 AIZU YOSHINOGAWA
Fukushima HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE JCN1380005003942 OKUNOMATSU
Fukushima AIZUSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN4380001019114 AIZU
Fukushima KOKKENSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN5380001019146 KOKKEN

JCN indicates Japan Corporate Number