Gokujo Akazake (20-Pack)

What is "Akazake" ?

Akazake is a reddish-brown alcoholic beverage that retains the characteristics of the oldest type of sake handed down in Kumamoto. It is similar to mirin, but unlike mirin, it has slightly alkaline properties. It is an essential part of the New Year's toso (sake) in Kumamoto. It is also used as everyday cooking sake.

During the Edo period, the Higo Hosokawa Domain (present-day Kumamoto Prefecture) protected akazake as the "national sake," prohibiting the production of any alcohol other than akazake and the import of alcohol from other domains.

In the Meiji period, as modern-day sake began to be imported from other prefectures, demand for alcohol shifted to sake and demand for akazake significantly decreased. Then, around 1945, the production of akazake was banned, and akazake disappeared completely for a time.

After the war, demand for akazake as a Kumamoto alcoholic beverage led to a revival, and today only two companies produce akazake in Kumamoto.
While regular sake is kept longer by heating it, akazake is kept longer by adding wood ash before pressing the mash to neutralize the acid. For this reason, regular sake is also called himochizake (fire-held sake) and akazake is also called akumochizake (ash-held sake).

About this item

This traditional red sake is made with glutinous rice, resulting in a refreshingly sweet and easy-to-drink drink.

Enjoy it chilled and straight. It's also recommended mixed with soda or ginger ale. It may not be quite satisfying to use in cooking.

720ml / 300ml