Sakura Masamune, a 400-year-old sake brewery, presents a new way to enjoy Japanese sake! “Maroya-Kan”

Hello, I’m Rina, a writer for Kodawari Times.
Winter has finally arrived in Japan. For sake lovers, this is the perfect season for “kanzake”—warmed sake! While sake can be enjoyed chilled or warmed in various ways, today I’ll introduce a new drinking method proposed by a long-established brewery in Nada, Kobe—Japan’s premier sake-producing region. Check out “Maroya-kan,” an easy-to-enjoy low-alcohol warmed sake!

Sakura Masamune: 400 Years of Brewing Tradition, Kobe’s Nada Sake Brewery

Sakura Masamune is a long-established sake brewery founded in 1625 (the second year of the Kan’ei era), based in Nada Gogo, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture—renowned as Japan’s premier sake-producing region. Throughout the history of Japanese sake, Sakura Masamune has played numerous pioneering roles, building the culture of its beginnings.

▲Sakura Masamune Logo

1. Miyamizu, the renowned water for sake brewing

First is the discovery of “Miyamizu,” the renowned water used for sake brewing. Discovered during the Edo period (1603–1868) when the sixth-generation head of the family focused on well water in Nishinomiya, this celebrated water continues to be passed down as the water that sustains Nada’s sake brewing today.

2. The Original “Masamune” Sake Brand Name

Sakura Masamune is the sake brewery that originated the “Masamune” brand name. While many breweries across Japan use ‘Masamune’ in their sake brands or company names, the origin traces back to when the sixth-generation head of Sakura Masamune saw the characters for the Buddhist scripture “Rinzai Seishu” at a temple. He was drawn to the sound of “Masamune” and adopted the name.

3. The Origin of “Association No. 1 Yeast”

Furthermore, Sakura Masamune is also known as the origin of “Association No. 1 Yeast.” During the Meiji era (1868–1912), the government established the National Brewing Research Institute. To ensure safe brewing and improve sake quality, superior yeast strains were collected from across the nation. Among these, Sakura Masamune’s yeast was the first to be officially recognized by the state as superior and distributed nationwide as “Association No. 1 Yeast.”

 
For 400 years since its founding, Sakura Masamune has preserved tradition while spearheading innovation in sake brewing. The sake crafted by this brewery offers an approachable taste even for first-time drinkers, yet one that unmistakably evokes Japan. It has been cherished across generations as a celebratory drink passed down from parents to children.

This time, we introduce initiatives commemorating 400 years of brewing, designed to carry forward Sakura Masamune’s history and spirit of sake production.

What is “Maroya-Kan”?

Sakura Masamune, which has continuously pursued new challenges to preserve Japanese sake culture, has taken on the challenge of creating a new sake culture to mark its 400th anniversary of brewing. It has developed Japan’s first*1 “new way to enjoy low-alcohol warmed sake.”

In recent years, with the rise in health consciousness, low-alcohol beverages have gained attention. Within the “sake” category of the alcoholic beverage industry, while low-alcohol sake that tastes good at room temperature or chilled does exist, there was a challenge: when sake is warmed to become “kanzake,” the flavor balance deteriorates, making it less enjoyable.

Sakura Masamune focused on this challenge and has now successfully developed a “low-alcohol warmed sake” that is both low in alcohol (5-10% ABV) and delicious. By adding “amino acids,” “salt,” and “organic acids” to the low-alcohol kanzake and heating it to 60°C to 70°C, it becomes a delicious and satisfying kanzake. This production method is currently patent pending*2.

▲Ingredients for soaking in warmed sake

Specifically, through this development, we discovered that soaking various ingredients like pickled Ume (Japanese plums), Konbu (kelp), and Katsuobushi (bonito flakes) in warmed sake achieves a similar effect.
This allows not only sake enthusiasts but also those who find it challenging to enjoy low-alcohol warmed sake deliciously, easily, and casually as part of a meal.

Sakura Masamune has named this diverse approach to drinking low-alcohol warmed sake “Maroya-kan” and aims to promote a new sake culture.

▲(Left) Maroya-Kan Tororo Konbu 　(Right) Maroya-Kan Shio Konbu

▲(Left) Katsuobushi (Bonito Flakes) Maroya-Kan 　(Right) Ume Maroya-Kan

Sake warmed with uniquely Japanese ingredients sounds fresh, easy, and delicious! I’m curious about the flavor profile. It’s exciting to see low-alcohol options joining the warm sake category, broadening the ways we enjoy sake.
Try “Maroya-Kan,” a new way to enjoy sake proposed by Sakura Masamune, a name etched in the history of Japanese sake brewing!

※1…Based on Sakura Masamune research. Within the low-alcohol range of 5-10% ABV.
※2…Details are confidential as they are currently under review.

The commemorative sake “HIJOU” for the 400th anniversary of brewing is also available for sale

Introducing another commemorative project for Sakura Masamune’s 400th anniversary!

Starting Thursday, November 27th, we will begin limited-quantity sales of the 400th Anniversary Commemorative Sake “HIJOU”. This is a masterpiece crafted using Sakura Masamune’s 400 years of tradition and skill. It is a brewed liquor made with a special method using only rice and water, then aged for 19 years, including time in oak barrels. Its taste offers a new sensation in Japanese sake: a rich complexity where the smoky aroma of oak barrels mingles with the mellow smoothness of aged alcohol, interwoven with subtle umami and sweetness derived from the rice.

Its appearance, with a color reminiscent of aged whiskey, makes it a very rare Japanese sake indeed. With only 400 bottles available, interested customers should check it out soon!

A portion of the proceeds from this product will be donated to facilities and organizations addressing social issues related to alcohol. Sakura Masamune is committed to providing comfort to people through sake brewing while sincerely embracing the responsibilities that come with it, and to continuing to pass on the sake culture nurtured and preserved by our predecessors.

400th Anniversary Commemorative Sake: Sales Overview

Product Name: Sakura Masamune 400th Anniversary Commemorative Sake “HIJOU”
Volume: 700ml
Alcohol Content: 28%
Price: ¥40,000 (tax excluded)
Limited to 400 bottles ※Available while supplies last
Sales Start: Thursday, November 27, 10:00 AM
Sales Locations: Sakura Masamune Official Online Shop “Rakuten Market Sakura Masamune Memorial Hall Sakuraen”, Physical store “Sakura Masamune Memorial Hall Sakuraen”, and others

A portion of the sales proceeds from the 400th Anniversary Commemorative Sake “Hijou” will be donated to the following facilities and organizations.
・Public Interest Incorporated Association Alcohol Health and Medical Association (Donation Amount: ¥1,000,000)
　…An association promoting awareness of “responsible drinking” and “preventing underage drinking”
・Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Traffic Accident Orphans Scholarship Association (Donation Amount: ¥1,000,000)
　… An organization supporting children who have lost a parent or whose parent has suffered severe disability due to traffic accidents, such as drunk driving.

Make Sake More Fun! The Special Site for Harenomi-bu

As the third commemorative initiative, driven by a desire to make sake more accessible and enjoyable in a personal way, the new project “Harenomi-bu” was launched to mark the 400th anniversary of its founding.

Sakura Masamune, which has long been a part of people’s “Hare-no-hi (in Japanese, referring to special days or celebrations)” throughout its history, proposes ways to enjoy sake not only during major milestones but also during those little special moments in everyday life.

On Thursday, November 20th, the project launch date, the “Harenomi-bu” special website will go live. It features guide content allowing you to freely choose sake based on your mood or occasion, along with diagnostic content designed to make sake enjoyable even for those unfamiliar with it.

I actually tried the “Harenomi-bu Member Diagnosis” myself and found out I’m the “Warm Storyteller Type”—a guide who reveals the depth of sake. Each question was fun, and it made me rediscover how I usually enjoy my drinks. What type will you be? Be sure to give it a try!

▼“Harenomi-bu” Special Website URL
https://sakuramasamune-400th.com/

▼Sakura Masamune Official Website (English)
https://www.sakuramasamune.co.jp/english/

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