November 12, 2020
Office of Analysis and Brewing Technology
Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau

1. Outline

(1) Purpose
 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.

(2) Review of 2020
 The Tohoku Sake Awards generally showcases sake brewers possessing the best brewing techniques in Japan, whose high-quality sake has been brewed with great care during the winter, and meticulously managed and matured during summer.
 This year, 147 sake breweries in the Tohoku region's six prefectures entered 221 samples from 134 breweries in the ginjo-shu category, and 158 samples from 122 breweries for the junmai-shu category.
 The ginjo-shu category showcased well-balanced sakes with gorgeous fruity aromas and a smooth, rich taste. In the junmai-shu category, various kinds of ingredient rice were used, and the sakes had rich personality and flavor.
 Many breweries were damaged when the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 devastated the Tohoku region. However, all of the sakes entered in the Sake Awards are of a very high quality and signify the huge progress being made toward recovery by sake breweries in the Tohoku region. The breweries have also affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, but we strongly believe that they will overcome these trials.

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 produced from the entrant’s own production site located within the jurisdiction of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau during the brewing year of 2019.

(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 6-7, 2020
 -Final examination: October 9, 2020

(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 examined for individual attributes to clarify a sensory profile and overall evaluation is given based on a five-step scoring method. After this preliminary process, the highest scoring entries are selected for the final examination. In the final examination, the chosen sakes are evaluated by a three-step scoring method.

(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) Quality evaluation jurors
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 and 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 2020

Name Affiliations Participating Examinations
OGURA AKIRA AOMORI PREFECTURAL INDUSTRIAL GP, JP
TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER,
SAITO TOMOAKI HIROSAKI INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE GF, JF
SATO TAKUMI HATOMASAMUNE CORPORATION GP, JP
ADACHI KAORU NISHIDASYUZOUTEN CO., LTD. GF, JF
SATO NARUHIDE IWATE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE GP, JP
YONEKURA YUICHI GF, JF
FURUDATE RYUNOSUKE AKABUSHUZO CO., LTD. GP, JP
ONO HIROMI HIROTASHUZOUTEN GF, JF
HASHIMOTO KENYA INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, GP, JP
MIYAGI PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT
ITO KENJI MIYAGI SAKE AND SHOCHU MAKERS ASSOCIATION GF, JF
SATO KIYOSHI ICHINOKURA CORPORATION HONSHAKURA GP, JP
HIRAI TAKAHIRO HIRAKOU CORPORATION GF, JF
UEHARA TOMOMI AKITA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND BREWING GP, JP
SHINDO SHO GF, JF
KURIBAYASHI NAOAKI KURIBAYASHI BREWING&CO. GP, JP
KUDOH SHINPEI YAMAGATA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GP, JP
ISHIGAKI HIROYOSHI GF, JF
WADA SHIGEKI WADASHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GP, JP
WATARAI TOSHIHITO WATARAI SAKE BREWING CO., LTD. GF, JF
TAKAHASHI RYO AIZUWAKAMATSU TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTRE GP, JP
SUZUKI KENJI FUKUSHIMA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE GF, JF
SATOU KENSHIN MINENOYUKI. CO GP, JP
SHINJO SOICHI TATSUIZUMISHUZO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GF, JF
JOHN GAUNTNER SAKE WORLD,INC. GF, JF
SAM ANDERBERG CALLON NIIZAWA BREWERY CO., LTD. GF, JF
KANAUCHI MAKOTO MIYAGI UNIVERSITY GF, JF
AKAO TAKESHI NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF BREWING GF, JF
MUTO AKINORI OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY,
SENDAI REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU
GP, JP, GF, JF
IHARA SHINJI GP, JP, GF, JF
AKUTSU TAKEHIRO GP, JP GF, JF
NOSE MASAKI GP, JP, GF, JF

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 for each category 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 the “Special Honor Prize” to those placing second or third. Certificates are then presented to each of the prizewinners by the commissioner of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau.

5. Event

 The event will not be held this year due to COVID-19.

6. Statistics

(1) Number of Entries

Prefecture Ginjo-shu Junmai-shu Total
Aomori 21  (12) 15  (12) 36  (14)
Iwate 16  (12) 16  (12) 32  (13)
Miyagi 35  (20) 21  (17) 56  (23)
Akita 35  (25) 40  (26) 75  (27)
Yamagata 55  (32) 33  (27) 88  (35)
Fukushima 59  (33) 33  (28) 92  (35)
Total 221 (134) 158 (122) 379 (147)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries

(Previous Year)

Prefecture Ginjo-shu Junmai-shu Total
Aomori 22  (12) 12  (11) 34  (13)
Iwate 21  (13) 19  (14) 40  (15)
Miyagi 38  (21) 20  (17) 58  (24)
Akita 39  (25) 38  (26) 77  (28)
Yamagata 52  (32) 38  (30) 90  (35)
Fukushima 57  (36) 34  (29) 91  (37)
Total 229 (139) 161 (127) 390 (152)

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 3   (2) 2   (2) 5     (2)
Iwate 5   (4) 6   (4) 11    (6)
Miyagi 5   (3) 1   (1) 6    (4)
Akita 15 (12) 22 (17) 37  (19)
Yamagata 16 (11) 5   (5) 21  (11)
Fukushima 21 (14) 15 (13) 36  (19)
Total 65 (46) 51 (42) 116  (61)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries

(Previous Year)

Prefecture Ginjo-shu Junmai-shu Total
Aomori 7    (5) 4    (4) 11    (6)
Iwate 3    (2) 3    (3) 6    (4)
Miyagi 12    (8) 5    (5) 17  (11)
Akita 15  (12) 16  (13) 31  (18)
Yamagata 13    (9) 10    (8) 23  (12)
Fukushima 19  (13) 11  (10) 30  (18)
Total 69  (49) 49  (43) 118  (69)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of breweries

7.List of Prizewinners

 In regard solely to entrants awarded the "Grand Honor Prize" and the “Special Honor Prize,” tasting notes by two foreign jurors and some of the Japanese jurors are published.

(1) Ginjo-shu Category

a. Grand Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Akita AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA JCN8410001000388 TAKASHIMIZU
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors

・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
Apple and cinnamon are the most noticeable facets of the aroma and a very focused flavor that is full of umami, just enough acidity and exquisite balance between the aromatics and the flavor.

・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.)
Aromas of green apple and ripe strawberry. Medium body with a semi-sweet and lightly astringent finish.

Tasting notes by Japanese jurors

Moderate maturation opens up a rich green apple-like fragrance, and a delicate flavor with a balance of sweet and sourness. The balance of the aroma and flavor gives an exquisite sense of oneness, showcasing perfection in harmony.

b. Special Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Miyagi UCHIGASAKI BREWING CO. JCN3370003001278 HOYO
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors

・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
Prominent plum and strawberry aromas, but a full vibrant and broad flavor full of umami, and accented by an enlivening acidity are the most expressive points of this sake.

・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.)
Aroma of sweet ripe green melon. Medium-light body with clean acidity and a dry finish.

Tasting notes by Japanese jurors

A sweet, rich note that is gorgeous and reminiscent of tropical fruits. A full body, sharp aftertaste and a pure flavor.

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Akita SAIYA SHUZOTEN CO., LTD JCN6410001004787 KACHO GESSEKI
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors

・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
Apple and Japanese pear coexist in the prominent aroma, very invitingly leading to a light flavor highlighted by bright acidity. Great tension between the various flavor elements as well.

・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.)
Aroma of overripe strawberry. Medium-full body with a long semi-sweet finish.

Tasting notes by Japanese jurors

A sweet, elegant and solid aroma reminiscent of berries. The mildness of moderate maturation within a strong, firm flavor is exquisite.

c. Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Aomori NISHIDASHUZOUTEN CO. JCN9420001001673 KINKANKIKUIZUMI
Aomori ROKKASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN3420001009607 JOPPARI
Iwate ASABIRAKI.CO.LTD JCN8400001000067 ASABIRAKI
Iwate SAKURAGAO SHUZO CO.,LTD JCN6400001000663 SAKURAGAO
Iwate HAMACHIDORI CO., LTD. JCN4400001007322 HAMACHIDORI
Iwate NANBUBIJIN CO., LTD. BASENKYOUKURA JCN8400001007847 NANBUBIJIN
Miyagi KAWAKEI SHOTEN GENERAL PARTNERSHIP JCN5370203000219 KOGANESAWA
Miyagi YAMAWASHUZO CO., LTD JCN2370201002401 WASIGAKUNI
Akita AKITA SHUZO CO., LTD JCN2410001001020 SUIRAKUTEN
Akita AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. HONSHAGURA JCN8410001000388 TAKASHIMIZU
Akita FUKUROKUJU SHUZOU CORPORATION JCN7410001003499 IPPAKUSUISEI
Akita DAINAGAWA SAKE BREWERIES JCN1410001011251 DAINAGAWA
Akita TENJU SHUZO CO.,LTD. JCN3410001005235 TENJU
Akita HIRAIZUMIHONPO CO., LTD. JCN8410001005189 HIRAIZUMI
Akita AKITAMEIJYO COMPANY LIMITED JCN5410001005431 RANMAN
Akita KIMURA BREWERY INC. JCN8410001010073 FUKUKOMACHI
Akita RYOZEKISHUZO CO.,LTD JCN6410001005595 RYOZEKI
Akita SUZUKI BREWING AND CO. JCN5410003002220 HIDEYOSHI
Yamagata SHUHO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. JCN4390002001276 SHUHO
Yamagata AZUMANOFUMOTO LIMITED COMPANY JCN4390002014534 AZUMANOFUMOTO
Yamagata GOTO SHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN1390003000817 BENTEN
Yamagata YONETSURUSYUZO CORPORATION JCN8390001010456 YONETSURU
Yamagata KAMENOISHUZO CO.,LTD. JCN5390001007975 KUDOKIJOZU
Yamagata KOIKAWASHUZOU CO., LTD JCN1390001006816 BEPPIN
Yamagata EIKOFUJI BREWING COMPANY JCN8390001007782 EIKOFUJI
Yamagata SAKATA SHUZO CORPORATION JCN5390001006226 JYOKIGEN
Yamagata SUGIISAMI WARABIOKA BREWERY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN7390003000456 SUGIISAMI
Yamagata TOHOKUMEIJO CORPORATION JCN5390001006440 HATSUMAGO
Yamagata FUMOTOI CO., LTD. JCN6390001006753 FUMOTOI
Fukushima KINSUISHO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD JCN4380002000997 KINSUISHO
Fukushima AKEBONO SHUZO CO., LTD. JCN5380003001861 ISSHOUSEISYUN
Fukushima SHIRAISHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN3380003001772 BANDAIHOU
Fukushima SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. KAEIGURA JCN2380001017549 KAEIGURA
Fukushima NAGURAYAMA SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD. JCN6380001017685 NAGURAYAMA
Fukushima SASANOKAWASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN4380001005337 SASANOKAWA
Fukushima WATANABE SHUZOHONTEN CO.,LTD. JCN4380002013173 YUKIKOMACHI
Fukushima GENERAL PARTNERSHIP SHIKE SYUZOUTEN JCN7380003000936 MATABEY
Fukushima MATSUZAKI SYUZO CO.,LTD JCN8380001029290 HIROTOGAWA
Fukushima YOSHINOGAWA SHUZOUTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN8380003001941 AIZU YOSHINOGAWA
Fukushima HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE JCN1380005003942 OKUNOMATSU
Fukushima AIZUSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN4380001019114 TAJIMA
Fukushima KOKKEN BREWERY CO., LTD. JCN5380001019146 KOKKEN
Fukushima WATANABE KENICHI   KAITOU OTOKOYAMA

JCN indicates Japan Corporate Number

(2) Junmai-shu Category

a. Grand Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Iwate HAMACHIDORI CO., LTD. JCN4400001007322 HAMACHIDORI
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors

・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
An outstanding expression of sake that has both sweet aspects and richness, but also is not excessively ostentatious. A great blend of both modern and traditional sake styles.

・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.)
Aromas of banana and ripe strawberry. Medium-light body with a clean dry finish.

Tasting notes by Japanese jurors

A mellow fruitiness, like freshly-picked strawberries and melons. Opens with a juicy sweetness, followed by refreshing acidity and slightly spicy bitterness give a firmness, a perfect balance.

b. Special Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Iwate WASHINOO CORPORATION JCN8400001004101 WASHINOO
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors

・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
Mildly aromatic with fruit and floral notes, but very settled and approachable, guaranteeing it will appeal to a wide range of people. A medium-bodied flavor ensures affinity with a wide range of food.

・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.)
Strong aroma of ripe banana. Well balanced between sweet fruit and bright acidity with a clean short finish.

Tasting notes by Japanese jurors

Sweet notes of ripe strawberries and Japanese pears. The silky sweetness and slight bitter flavor stand out, but the aftertaste is refreshingly light. The pleasant finish is impressive.

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Akita DAINAGAWA SAKE BREWERIES JCN1410001011251 DAINAGAWA
Tasting notes by two foreign jurors

・JOHN GAUNTNER (SAKE WORLD, Inc.)
This sake is much more expressive of flavor then aroma. Slightly sweet, it has both depth and breadth, and a decidedly rice-like aspect to the flavor. Great potential for pairing with a wide range of food.

・SAM ANDERBERG CALLON (NIIZAWA BREWERY CO. , LTD.)
Aroma of sweet ripe strawberry. Medium body with low acidity and a semi-sweet finish.

Tasting notes by Japanese jurors

Sweet aromas of lilies and rice. Mainly a smooth, rich sweetness, with an accent of acidity and slight astringency. A crisp finish, emphasizing the junmai's flavor.

c. Honor Prize

Prefecture Brewery JCN Brand
Aomori NISHIDASHUZOUTEN CO. JCN9420001001673 DENSHU
Aomori ROKKASHUZO CO., LTD. JCN3420001009607 JOPPARI
Iwate SAKURAGAO SHUZO CO.,LTD JCN6400001000663 SAKURAGAO
Iwate NANBUBIJIN CO., LTD JCN8400001007847 NANBUBIJIN
Miyagi ICHINOKURA CORPORATION JCN4370201000031 ICHINOKURA
Akita AKITA SHUZO CO., LTD JCN2410001001020 SUIRAKUTEN
Akita AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. GOSHONOGURA JCN8410001000388 TAKASHIMIZU
Akita AKITA SHURUI SEIZOH CO., LTD. HONSHAGURA JCN8410001000388 TAKASHIMIZU
Akita KODAMA BREWING CO.,LTD. JCN6410001003426 TAIHEIZAN
Akita FUKUROKUJU SHUZOU CORPORATION JCN7410001003499 IPPAKUSUISEI
Akita HINOMARUJOZO CO.,LTD JCN6410001009167 MANSAKUNOHANA
Akita SAIYA SHUZOTEN CO., LTD JCN6410001004787 CHOSETSU
Akita SATOSHUZOTEN CORPORATION JCN7410001005231 DEWANOFUJI
Akita AKITAKENHAKKOKOGYO CORPORATION JCN6410001005430 ITTEKISENRYO
Akita AKITAMEIJYO COMPANY LIMITED JCN5410001005431 RANMAN
Akita KIMURA BREWERY INC. JCN8410001010073 FUKUKOMACHI
Akita RYOZEKISHUZO CO.,LTD JCN6410001005595 RYOZEKI
Akita KARIHO SHUZO CORPORATION JCN9410001007903 KARIHO
Akita SUZUKI BREWING AND CO. JCN5410003002220 HIDEYOSHI
Akita TAKAHASHI SHUZOTEN CORPORATION JCN5410001008005 OKUSHIMIZU
Akita DEWATSURU SYUZO CORPORATION JCN6410001008202 DEWATSURU
Yamagata YONETSURUSYUZO CORPORATION JCN8390001010456 YONETSURU
Yamagata KAMENOISHUZO CO.,LTD. JCN5390001007975 KUDOKIJOZU
Yamagata KOIKAWASHUZOU CO., LTD JCN1390001006816 KOIKAWA
Yamagata EIKOFUJI BREWING COMPANY JCN8390001007782 MOMIJINISIKA
Yamagata SAKATA SHUZO CORPORATION JCN5390001006226 JYOKIGEN
Fukushima KINSUISHO SAKE BREWERY CO., LTD JCN4380002000997 KINSUISHO
Fukushima AKEBONO SHUZO CO., LTD. JCN5380003001861 TENMEI
Fukushima SHIRAISHUZOTEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN3380003001772 ISASUMINOMORI
Fukushima SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD. HAKASEGURA JCN2380001017549 SUEHIRO
Fukushima TSURUNOE SYUZO CO.,LTD. JCN7380001017619 AIZU CHUJO
Fukushima NAGURAYAMA SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD. JCN6380001017685 NAGURAYAMA
Fukushima SATOUSYUZOUTEN CORPORATION JCN7380002009846 FUJINOI
Fukushima WATANABE SHUZOHONTEN CO.,LTD. JCN4380002013173 YUKIKOMACHI
Fukushima MATSUZAKI SYUZO CO.,LTD JCN8380001029290 HIROTOGAWA
Fukushima KITANOHANASYUZOU LIMITED PARTNERSHIP JCN5380003001911 KITANOHANA
Fukushima HIGASHINIHONSHUZO PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE JCN1380005003942 OKUNOMATSU
Fukushima AIZUSHUZO CO., LTD. JCN4380001019114 AIZU
Fukushima HANAIZUMI SAKE BREWERY GENERAL PARTNERSHIP COMPANY JCN4380003002019 HANAIZUMI ROMAN

JCN indicates Japan Corporate Number