[SMV -5] Kita no Nishiki - Kuragakoi Kanjuku Hizou Junmai - 北の錦 「蔵囲完熟　秘蔵純米」(720ml)

Kita no Nishiki
- Kuragakoi Kanjuku Hizou Junmai (SMV -5) -
北の錦 「蔵囲完熟　秘蔵純米」

“Made by Hokkaido hands, with Hokkaido rice and water.”

Aged 4 years, unique sake from one of the oldest breweries in Hokkaido.
Brewed with the seasonal blessings of Hokkaido since 1878.

We recommend this as the sake that represents Hokkaido. Kita no Nishiki Kuragakoi Kanjuku Hizou Junmai is brewed with the blessings of the mountains and the heart of agriculture, by local farmers from all generations, during Winter.

143 years of history, capturing the essence of Hokkaido

Amidst the serene beauty of Kuriyama, Hokkaido, Kobayashi Brewery is one of the oldest sake breweries in Hokkaido, established in 1878, cultivating the art of sake brewing with traditional techniques.

Brewed from ingredients 100% from Hokkaido with blessings of the environment and passion of local farmers in Hokkaido.

Unique sweetness and acidity

Kuragakoi Kanjuku Hizou Junmai is aged 4 years, which results in a milder taste, which is the characteristic of an aged-sake. It also has a unique sweetness and acidity (with a bit of bitterness), while keeping a rich taste from aging!

It is designed to enjoy the blessings of the mountains and the heart of agriculture of Hokkaido in this sake - Kuragakoi Kanjuku Hizou Junmai.

Dedicatedly made from Hokkaido

1. Rice
Showing Hokkaido’s pride with rice produced in Hokkaido. Kuriyama Town, where the brewing is located, is in the south of Central Hokkaido, and it is one of the best rice-growing areas in Japan, the golden land.

Using Kitashizuku, sake rice that is grown by young farmers in Hokkaido.

2. Passion
Most of the brewers are the successors of local farmers.
For many years, young farmers farmed in the summertime, and brew sake in the winter.

It has been a tradition passed down for generations.
Each winter, passionate farmers of all generations gather to brew sake using the harvested rice in winter. 

How to Enjoy

It is recommended to warm sake to about 35°C to 40°C, the fragrance and deeper flavours of the sake are released. It can be chilled to enjoy its mild sweet and sour flavour.

Served with a wide range of dishes and sweets, such as seared sashimi mackerel, hash browns, dried persimmons, and even strawberry chocolate!

The story of Kobayashi Brewery

Kobayashi Brewery is one of the oldest sake breweries in Hokkaido, established in 1878. It cherishes 143-year-long traditions to cultivate the art of sake brewing with traditional techniques using 100% Hokkaido-grown rice.

The philosophy of the brewery is to be able to see the faces of all the rice growers and to feel the climate of the region. Young farmers work as farmers in the summer and brew sake in the winter. 

They continue to brew the blessings of the mountains and the heart of agriculture.

Other breweries in Hokkaido

Blessed with a cool climate and good quality water, Hokkaido is a land suitable for sake brewing. In recent years, sake rice, which is the raw material for sake, has been varieties suitable for Hokkaido, such as "Ginfu", "Suisei", and "Kitashizuku".

The number of places where sake is brewed with Hokkaido rice is increasing, and sake with a taste is being made one after another with the water and rice of Hokkaido.

Since 2017, several sake breweries have opened in Hokkaido, and there are currently 14 breweries and 16 factories throughout Hokkaido. When the COVID-19 pandemic has settled down, why not come to Hokkaido and visit the various sake breweries?

Map of breweries & distilleries in Hokkaido, as of June 2020
(Click to enlarge)

Hokkaido Sake Award 2021

"Hokkaido Sake Award 2021" was held in Hokkaido, this year.

Check out the winners of the Grand Prix on Hokkaido Government Representative Office facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HokkaidoGovernment/posts/1091125451690938