Kitakari is a sake brewery based in Ariura, in the heart of Odate City. It is a well-known brand of sake even in Akita Prefecture, which has long been renowned as a region famous for its rice and sake. While Kitakari is by no means a large sake producer, it is a brewery that continues to take on new challenges.

One such challenge is “Snow Storage.”

Sake brewed in early winter is transported to Lake Towada and stored and aged deep within the snow.

The temperature and humidity remain constant beneath the snow, creating an ideal environment for sake aging. The sake is aged as “nama-zake” (unpasteurized sake) with live yeast until early spring, resulting in a mellow flavor.

Furthermore, driven by a desire to let as many people as possible experience and enjoy daiginjo—the pinnacle of sake craftsmanship—the brewery’s “Daiginjo Kitaakita,” developed through trial and error, is Japan’s best-selling daiginjo, thanks in part to its reasonable price point.

Being able to enjoy a rich ginjo aroma reminiscent of fresh fruit and a refreshing, crisp flavor for less than 1,000 yen is truly the culmination of Kitakari’s efforts.

Kitakari’s sake lineup includes collaborations with the Akita Dog Village and a variety of other offerings.

As a local sake from Odate, we highly recommend you give it a try.