From beachside picnics to backyard BBQs, this campaign invites you to experience sake in fresh, unexpected ways. Through special restaurant pairings, curated bottle lists, and local events, Natsu Sake brings together fans and newcomers alike to sip, savor, and support the future of sake—all summer long.
*Please drink responsibly. Sake is for individuals 21+.
Natsu Sake is a seasonal celebration of Japan’s iconic drink—reimagined for summer in North America.
Natsu Sake List 2025
Discover your perfect pour this summer.
Discover your perfect pour this summer.
Curated by top industry professionals, the Natsu Sake List 2025 features refreshing, easy-to-enjoy sake selections that shine in the summer heat. Whether you’re new to sake or a longtime fan, explore these expert-picked bottles designed to pair beautifully with warm-weather dishes, outdoor gatherings, and everyday moments. Sip, chill, and celebrate the season—one glass at a time.
Hachinohe Shurui(Aomori)
Jyoku “White Bear” Summer
Junmai Ginjo
The limited-edition summer Junmai Ginjo “White Bear” from Jyoku is now available. This seasonal sake offers a refreshing, crisp mouthfeel balanced by bright acidity and a robust rice-forward flavor. With its strong, structured profile, it’s perfect served chilled—or even on the rocks for an extra-cool summer experience.
Ippongi Kubohonten(Fukui)
Junmai Daiginjo Nama
Distinctive pleasant flowery aroma that reminds a lily of the valley, and elegant transparent feeling. As it goes down, a beautiful after taste undertones of pineapple lingers on.
Ohmine Shuzo(Yamaguchi)
Three Grain Natsu no Otozure
Junmai Daiginjo
A refreshing taste that evokes the vibrant greenery of early summer. Delicate notes of crisp apple and Chardonnay-like sweetness and acidity create a bright, uplifting profile—perfectly capturing the feeling of summer’s arrival.
Heiwa Shuzo(Wakayama)
Junmai Ginjo
“Natsu no Shippu,” which means summer’s strong wind! This sake exhibits a soft mouth feel and offers sharp acidity that is well balanced with the gentle umami of sake rice to match beautifully with the summer season.
Fuji Sake Brewery(Hiroshima)
Junmai
Llight refreshing Sake using the local Sake rice from Hiroshima, Hattan-Nishiki. Well balanced of sweetness and dryness with fresh aroma like grapefruit.
Yukawa Sake Brewery(Nagano)
Kisoji “Natsujun”
Junmai Ginjo
This is a rich and complex summertime “nama” (unpasteurized) sake. They actually use just the heart of the press, which is the middle portion called “nakadori.” They also are careful to bottle swiftly and gently to minimize exposure to air, and immediately cool it to seal the freshness in the liquid.
Tsukasabotan Shuzo(Kochi)
Senchu Hassaku Reika
Junmai Nama
This is the summer edition of “Senchu Hassaku,” a popular dry junmai draft enjoyed every year. Brewed fresh and aged at sub-zero temperatures, it offers a vibrant aroma and a bold, full-bodied flavor. Its crisp, refreshing finish and sharp edge—hallmarks of Senchu Hassaku—make it an ideal companion for richly flavored or oily dishes, enhancing the pleasures of summer dining.
Harushika Shuzo(Nara)
Harushika no Natsushika
Junmai Ginjo
Brewed with in-house ginjo yeast and fermented at low temperatures like a daiginjo, this junmai ginjo has a light, refreshing mouthfeel and a modest 14% ABV. It features Harushika’s signature fruity ginjo aroma, a soft rice flavor, and a crisp, clean finish. Perfect chilled, especially alongside herbal dishes like shiso or basil—an ideal choice for your summer table.
Hara Shuzo(Yamagata)
Koshinohomare 90 Blue
Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu
Made with 90% polished rice to preserve the grain’s full character, this sake offers the richest sweetness in the 90 series with a mellow umami depth. Its low alcohol and fresh, unfiltered, unpasteurized profile make it a perfect early summer pour.
Yamanashi Meijo(Yamanashi)
Sparkling Sake
In this Usunigori sparkling, the fine bubbles that only the second fermentation in the bottle can produce, and the fruity ginjo aroma that rises in a haze of ori.
Iinuma Honke (Chiba)
Junmai
Iinuma Honke makes different iterations of Kinoene “Okarakuchi” for each season. This is the summer edition, unpasteurized and undiluted. It balances the tranquil and refreshing qualities you crave this time of year with a full-bodied umami and moderate tartness.
Tosatsuru Brewery(Kochi)
Ginjo
Indulge in the enticing aroma of ripe white peaches, pears, delicate white flowers, and a milky, white-rice-like fragrance with our 'Azure' Junmai Ginjo Sake. This sake exudes richness and elegance, promising an unforgettable experience.
Suigei Brewing(Kochi)
Flavored Sake
The concentrated flavor makes this an excellent addition to dishes or cocktails, but the brewery also recommends enjoying Kaju 39 chilled, on the rocks, and mixed with sparkling water or hot water depending on the season and occasion.
Tenzan Sake Brewery(Saga)
Junmai
Only available in the summer. Full of refreshing aromas of peach, melon, and kumquat followed by a touch of cotton candy.
Homare Sake Brewery (Fukushima)
Junmai Ginjo
The bouquet evokes notes of apples and tropical fruits, exuding an exuberant aroma. Its lusciousness and well-balanced interplay of acidity and sweetness characterize the unique and expansive flavor profile inherent to Yamada Nishiki.
Nihonsakari (Hyogo)
Flavored Sake
By making full use of the tartness, slight bitterness, and flavor peculiar to Yuzu, and using junmai sake as raw materials, the refined umami and moderate sweetness creates a delightfully rounded harmony. So deliciously fresh, you'll feel like you're on a vacation in sunny southern Japan.
Shindo Sake Brewery(Yamagata)
Junmai Ginjo
Using rare sake rice, Tamanae. Crisp and elegant fruity aroma.
Yaegaki Shuzo(Hyogo)
Junmai
Brewed in Japan. Ritsu combines the rich umami of Yamada Nishiki rice and the crisp lightness of Gohyakumangoku rice. This Junmai sake has a delightfully fruity aroma with a light and harmonius taste.
Kinoshita Brewing Company(Kyoto)
Junmai Ginjo
Cask-strength, deep-flavored and spicy. unpasteurized for extra zing. Best enjoyed over ice in summer and fall—the flavor and aroma shift as the temperature in the glass changes.
Kumazawa Brewing Co(Kanagawa)
Tokubetsu Honjozo
Enjoy the feel of a perfect endless summer with this bright, refreshing taste of Kanagawa’s surfer culture. Pairs well with whitefish ceviche with pineapple, pomegranate guacamole, citrus and beet salad
Rihaku Brewery(Shimane)
Junmai Ginjo Genshu
Origin of Purity is available seasonally as a namazake offering and is a unique addition to the VC ginjo line-up as it is our first sake made with Omachi rice. This genshu (undiluted sake) is produced using rose vine yeast and is incredibly pure and balanced.
Funasaka Brewery(Gifu)
Yuzu Fruit Infused Sake
Here is a unique tasting sake with natural Yuzu fruit offering the aroma and taste of citrus. Yuzu Bay Sake plays with sweetness and with tartness, and is perfect as a dessert or as an aperitif. It will always stir curious questions with connoisseurs.
Kurosawa Sake Brewery (Nagano)
Junmai
A low-alcohol “draft” version of the classic KUROSAWA Junmai Kimoto. Produced once a year for the summer season.Vibrant and refreshing sweetness.
Kizakura Shuzo(Kyoto)
Junmai
Perle is the first product for Kizakura which made with a wine yeast. "Perle" means "Pearl" in French and it was named after its very velvety and silky mouthfeel. It has an iconic aroma reminiscent of white wine, and contains more amount of acid than other basic sake that provides distinguished taste well balanced with tartness and sweetness.
Takara Sake USA(Berkeley, CA)
Sparkling Sake
It has a light and refreshing quality with acidity and carbonation, yet it also possesses a rich and complex flavor derived from the rice, making it a great match for pizza and hamburgers. It also pairs beautifully with oysters, chips, and, of course, Japanese cuisine.
Sake High!(Los Angeles,CA)
Junmai
Bar-strength ready-to-drink hard tea for summer adventure. Savor fragrant white tea with sun-kissed peach, elevated by our pure sake base for a refreshing and slightly-sweet sip.Craft-blended with all-natural ingredients, no added sugar, and perfectly portable premium experience!
Otokoyama(Hokkaido)
Sparkling Sake
Sparkling sake with a refreshing sweetness, a fresh throat, and a refreshing aroma. It won the “Grand Gold Award” in the “Sparkling SAKE Category” at the “Wine Glass Delicious Sake Award 2022” in Japan.
Kikusui(Niigata)
Junmai Nama Genshu
This sake offers a clean, dry taste with a gentle aroma and a sharp, crisp finish that reveals just the right amount of umami richness. It enhances the subtle flavors of light dishes and, with bolder dishes, refines and balances their depth and complexity.
Ozeki Sake(Hyogo)
Honjozo
Enhanced fresh, clean aroma to the smooth, dry aftertaste of Karatamba.
Nova Brewing Co.(Covina,CA)
Junmai Daiginjo Muroka Namagenshu
Award-winning sake made using black koji more commonly used in awamori (shochu from Southern Japan). Black koji adds high level of acidity, resulting in sake with wine-like acidity.
Kikusui Sake Brewery(Nagano)
Junmai
Enjoy the rich aroma and full-bodied flavor of the rice.
Sparkling
Award-winning sparkling sake with a natural rosé hue from purple-black rice. Its light, refreshing taste and strawberry-like sweetness make it perfect as a dessert sake. Crafted without additives, it offers a modern, elegant twist on traditional sake.
Shojo Brewing(Florida)
With Love, From Tamba
Muroka Junmai Nama Genshu
The aromatics & flavor profile come across as pear, peach, honeydew melon & apple, the perfect combo for summer!
Uka Sake(Fukushima)
Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling
Uka Sparkling is a lightly nigori sparkling sake with delicate aromas of white flowers, pear, and anise. Crafted from a unique rice variety developed by Koda Farms in California and brewed by Ninki Shuzo in Fukushima, it offers refreshing citrus notes and vibrant fruitiness, elevated by gentle bubbles. Certified organic and kosher.
Kosaka Shuzoba(Gifu)
Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama Genshu
Made with a secret yeast, the brewery tried to create a very modern sake which bursts with strawberry flavor. It’s off-dry but has plenty of acidity to balance, just like a perfectly ripe strawberry.
Sawanotsuru(Hyogo)
Liquor
It is a plum liquor that is rich in raw melamine rice which Miwa cranes aged over 3 years, with fine quality "Nanko Ume" carefully raised in Umenosato "Kishu" in Japan. The taste and depth of long-term aged sake complement the moderately sour taste of Nanko Ume.
Shirakabegura Brewery(Hyogo)
Sparkling Sake
Mio Crisp is a refreshing sparkling sake with pretty aromas of honeydew melon, lemon, sweet cream, watermelon, almond, and daffodil. Drink it on its own anytime or with a celebratory toast on special occasions.
Fuji Sake Brewry(Hiroshima)
Tokubetsu Junmai
Starting with a soft mouthfeel, gentle sweetness and vibrant acidity blend beautifully, with a well-rounded flavor that lingers until the end. This is a sake with a perfectly balanced harmony of sweetness, acidity, and umami.
Yaegaki USA(Sacrament Valley,CA)
Junmai Daiginjo
ROGA combines hand-crafted Japanese techniques with California's finest agricultural resources.This crisp semi-dry sake has an elegant richness with a hint of plum. The Junmai Daiginjo variation is a premium sake therefore we recommend enjoying it with fine foods or on its own.
Kondo Shuzo(Gunma)
Junmai Sparkling
Japanese-style-champagne-like carbonated Junmai sake. This slightly sweet sake has a robust Junmai flavor, perfectly matching its refreshing bubbles.
Maruishi Jozo(Aichi)
Junmai Nito Satin
Junmai
It is a gentle liquor with 13% alcohol. Light, well-rounded and silky texture. Pure, sweet fruit and beautiful acidity create a unique taste.
Honke Matsuura Shuzo(Kochi)
Ginjo Nama Genshu
Narutotai Nama Genshu, also known as "Red Snapper," isn’t just a top imported unpasteurized sake—it’s a true showstopper that even made an appearance in *Blade Runner 2049*.
Shirakabegura Brewery(Hyogo)
Sparkling Sake
Lively aromas of grape and ripe pear rise out of the light effervescence which presents the palate with a gentle sweetness paired with a refreshing acidity when initially sipped. Excellent as an aperitif, and a great match for a variety of foods, Mio is also delightful with desserts containing acidic fruit.
Shirataki Sake Brewery(Niigata)
Junmai
This sake is brewed using yeast derived from honey harvested in Echigo Yuzawa. Unlike fermented honey itself, it’s made from rice, rice malt, and honey-derived yeast. The sake has a smooth texture and gentle sweetness.
Fukumitsuya Brewery(Ishikawa)
Junmai Daiginjo
Staying true to its name, which means indigo blue, this daiginjo is cool, collected and dignified. The fragrance evokes the image of a blooming meadow which is matched by an equally alluring flavor filled with mild fruit that lays soft on the palate.
Kobe Sake(Hyogo)
Ginjo
Sparkling sake with a refreshing sweetness, a fresh throat, and a refreshing aroma. It won the “Grand Gold Award” in the “Sparkling SAKE Category” at the “Wine Glass Delicious Sake Award 2022” in Japan.
Funasaka Brewery(Gifu)
Honjozo
This sake is named after Hidari Jingoro, the artist behind Japan’s famous Nemuri Neko carving. The brewery is located deep in the Japanese Alps of central Japan and has created wonderful sakes for over 200 years. Made only with local Gifu Pref. ingredients, it has a very ricey flavor with a soft sweet fragrance, balanced by an impressively medium-dry tone.
Miyao Shuzo(Niigata)
Daiginjo
Pasteurized only once after pressing, then directly to bottle and stored in refrigeration. This process locks in the sake's elegant aromas and flavors as it matures. The result is a refined daiginjo with a sophisticated, crisp aroma and a smooth, clean finish.
Hakkaisan Brewery(Niigata)
Junmai Daiginjo
The term Kongoshin, or "a firm and stable mind," finds its embodiment in this supremely noble brew. The top sake rice Yamada Nishiki is polished to the limit & after 2 years of the deepest love, care & supervision.
Shirataki Sake Brewery(Niigata)
Junmai Ginjo
An excellent choice for a first encounter with sake. Shirataki?s signature label that is pure as the area?s naturally soft water. Dry and smooth with fruity aroma like green apple and ripe peach.
Kamenoi Shuzo(Yamagata)
Junmai Ginjo
This sake has a well brushed up nose. It has a sophisticated taste and also can smell fruity flavor like a mature summer melon and green apple.
Ryujin Shuzo(Gunma)
Junmai Daiginjo
Ryujin Shuzo presents "Natsugin" - a special summer sake brewed while holding these principles as irrevocable fact, and brewing with intention of aroma and flavor sitting in perfect balance, tuned precisely to the sounds of summer.
Hakutsuru Brewing Co.(Hyogo)
Sparkling Junmai
Tempting flavors of tropical fruits, banana cream, hazelnut, vanilla and honeycomb with floral, fruity and mellow rice aromas.
Daiichi Shuzo(Tochigi)
Junmai Ginjo
Moderate fruity ginjo aroma reminiscent of melon, peaches, and cherries. Soft mouthfeel. Enjoy this cup sake with your favorite ramen and Izakaya dishes.
Nanbubijin(Iwate)
Junmai Ginjo
This elegant and perfectly balanced sparkling sake is made with local Ginotome rice and delicious subterranean water. It has a calming floral aroma and a crisp carbonation which offsets the soft mouthfeel of the sake.
Kobe Shushinkan (Hyogo)
Junmai Ginjo
The main aroma is tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples and papayas. Sweetness of citrus fruits and acidity unfold on the palate. It goes down very smoothly.
Akita Brewing Co.(Akita)
Daiginjo
Light and fragrant, with a clean and even finish. Supple and smooth for easy drinkability. It’s all here: fragrance, taste, balance and texture, in perfect harmony.
Izumibashi Sake Brewery (Kanagawa)
Kimoto Junmai
This special Kanagawa prefecture Kimoto sake has a reserved and understated aroma, with light delicate flavors. It is delicious slightly warm, and perfect for enhancing rich flavors and cutting through oil.
Nate Shuzo (Wakayama)
Junmai
Aroma Is clean and moderate with a balancedand flavor with rich and wide body.
Higashiyama Shuzo (Kyoto)
Daiginjo
Konteki means “dew drops of the earth” while Higashiyama (the brewery name) translates to “eastern hill.“ Brewery workers have been known to start their days watching the sun rise over the mountains until the dew drops glisten as if they were the Tears of Dawn.
Tatenokawa Brewery (Yamagata)
Junmai Daiginjo
The alcohol content is on the slightly lower side at around 14% and characterized by a light and soft mouthfeel with a refreshing aroma reminiscent of fresh fruits. Polished to 50%, this sake, made from Yamagata’s sake rice “Dewa Sansan,” offers a clean and refined quality with a gentle and soft taste, making it an ideal choice for those trying sake for the first time.
Fukuchiyo Shuzo (Saga)
Junmai Ginjo
Elegant fruity aroma like apple and juicy umami taste with small fine bubble.
Yoshida Sake Brewery (Ishikawa)
Daiginjo, Nama
Full, clean taste, with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. Like plum blossoms at winter’s end, “Kinka” is vivid and poised, in the elegant Kanazawa style.
Dassai Blue Sake Brewery
(New York)
Junmai Daiginjo
Dassai Blue “50” is crafted at the New York-based Dassai Blue Sake Brewery using Yamadanishiki rice, and pristine spring water from the lush Hudson Valley. Flavors of candied pineapple and lemon swirl with notes of vanilla and cantaloupe, like a beautifully assembled fruit tart. A slight briny taste on the finish adds some depth.
Dewazakura Sake Brewery (Yamagata)
Daiginjo
Aged for five years, this daiginjo sake defines the Japanese aesthetic of elegant simplicity. Vividly fruity when first bottled, it has deepened with age to reveal muted tones of pomegranate and persimmon.
Toko Brewery (Yamagata)
Junmai Daiginjo
Flawless yet incredibly persistent. The purity of the region of Yamagata shines in this sake, with the crispness of their pristine water, the grassy, spicy quality of dewasansan rice, and the opulent textures derived from shizuku free run finishing.
Amabuki Shuzo (Saga)
Junmai
The true expressions of the marigold flower are noticeable both on the palate and nose of this sake, and are amplified by the Yamahai-Jikomi brewing method’s signature funky style. Excellent chilled, but the personality of Omachi rice and Yamahai-Jikomi really shine when served gently warmed.
Shiokawa Brewery (Niigata)
Yamahai Junmai Ginjo
This undiluted brew is fit for a cowboy – made in the ancient Yamahai style, loaded with umami, and pairs beautifully with meat. Aromas of vanilla, cocoa and hickory smoke with a smooth finish.
Takeda Shuzo (Gifu)
Honjozo Nama Genshu
Made with rice grown just 20 minutes away and a proprietary yeast. You’ll get giant aromas that change on every revisit. There’s some Ginjo fruit plus a rich cocoa and caramel leaping from the glass due to the Honjozo (brewer’s alcohol) used to extract extra aroma and texture.
Uchigasaki Brewing (Miyagi)
Junmai
A cheerful junmai sake—trim, relaxed, expressive. Sawayaka’s easy drinkability makes it a good choice for both the home sake larder and the neighborhood izakaya. It’s a dry sake, but mildly so.
Mine no hakubai (Niigata)
Junmai Ginjo
Brewed using white koji that generates citric acid to create a refreshing, summery acidity. The aroma is all about the Meyer lemon and tangerine. So juicy! You might get some fresh bamboo shoot undertones. The palate feels sweet and rich with young pear and peach, though it’s actually rather dry.
Nakajima Brewery (Gifu)
Junmai Ginjo
A true companion for the thirsty fisherman, Kozaemon Sakana is the essential celebration of fish of all shapes and sizes. Delicate enough to stand its own at the sushi counter, but full enough to pair with richer and fattier fish like grilled mackerel.
Asahi Shuzo (Niigata)
Junmai Ginjo
A balanced tanrei-karakuchi sake that has an elegant, refreshing and gentle aroma, with echoes of umami and a smooth, dry mouthfeel. When chilled, you'll get hints of tartness and a crisp finish.
Gekkeikan (Kyoto)
Gekkeikan Cap Ace
Junmai
Small, single-serving sake products have long been popular in Japan, and Cap Ace brings that culture to sake lovers across America. Cap Ace’s cap doubles up as a traditional style drinking cup to let you enjoy this junmai sake at your leisure.
Imayo Tsukasa Shuzo (Niigata)
Imayo Tsukasa Black
Junmai
A sharp yet smooth sake with bright acidity and a savory finish. Hints of umami-rich kombu, subtle pepperiness, and a touch of ripe banana create a clean, refreshing taste that pairs beautifully with food.
Shop Sake Online
-
Tippsy makes finding great sake easy and fun!
-
Retail shop and tasting room located in Portland, OG
-
features around 50 highlyselected premium Sake
-
Japan's finest sake straight to your door.
-
Marin Sake Imports is a Mill Valley California company
-
An online sake boutique bringing unique artisanal varieties from the breweries