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Tokushima > Naruto, Tokushima City > Narutotai Sake: Japanese Craftsmanship Refined Over More Than 200 Years

Narutotai Sake: Japanese Craftsmanship Refined Over More Than 200 Years

A Historic Brewery Founded in 1804

Discover the elegant flavors of premium Japanese sake, crafted through centuries of tradition and innovative brewing techniques in Tokushima Prefecture.

Narutotai is a distinguished sake brand produced by Honke Matsuura Shuzojo, a historic brewery founded in 1804 during Japan’s Edo period. With more than 200 years of brewing heritage, the brewery combines time-honored craftsmanship with modern technology to create sake that reflects the character and quality of Tokushima’s local ingredients.

The brewery uses natural underground water filtered through the Awa-Sanmyaku mountain range, together with carefully selected sake-brewing rice varieties such as Awa Yamada Nishiki and Gohyakumangoku. Water quality, rice selection, and meticulous brewing techniques all contribute to the refined flavors and aromas of Narutotai sake.

Traditional Techniques Meet Innovative Brewing

One of the brewery’s distinctive achievements is its original “Kiri-zukuri” (mist-making) method, developed over seven years. In this process, pure junmai sake is exposed to ultrasonic waves, transforming it into a fine mist-like, semi-gaseous state. The mist is then cooled to minus 20°C, causing it to condense into liquid droplets that are collected one by one.

This unusual approach demonstrates the brewery’s willingness to explore new possibilities while preserving the care and precision of traditional Japanese sake-making. Narutotai’s range includes premium daiginjo sake, celebrated for its delicate aromas, smooth textures, and carefully balanced finishes.

Narutotai Daiginjo Hou: Delicate Fruit Aromas and Gentle Freshness

Narutotai Daiginjo Hou is made using Yamada Nishiki, one of Japan’s most highly regarded sake-brewing rice varieties. The rice is carefully polished until only 48% of each grain remains, removing much of the outer layer to help create a refined flavor profile.

The sake mash undergoes a lengthy, low-temperature fermentation lasting approximately 30 days. This patient process develops a delicate fragrance reminiscent of sweet apples, accompanied by a fresh, gentle taste that evokes a soft spring breeze. Its graceful character makes it an appealing choice for drinkers who appreciate aromatic sake with a clean and elegant finish.

Narutotai Daiginjo Kei: Silky Smoothness and a Clear Finish

Narutotai Daiginjo Kei offers a different expression of the brewery’s craftsmanship. Made with premium Yamada Nishiki rice polished to just 40% of its original size, it is brewed carefully using traditional techniques passed down through generations at the brewery.

The sake is fermented at low temperatures to preserve its refined character. Its defining features include an expressive, floral-fruit aroma that unfolds as you drink, a remarkably silky texture, and a refreshing, clear finish. The result is a pure and understated flavor profile that allows the quality of the rice, water, and brewing process to shine through without unnecessary embellishment.

Experience Tokushima Through Japanese Sake

Narutotai offers visitors an opportunity to discover the depth and diversity of Japanese sake through a brand rooted in Tokushima’s brewing heritage. From the delicate apple-like fragrance of Daiginjo Hou to the smooth texture and refreshing finish of Daiginjo Kei, each expression showcases a different aspect of the brewery’s skill.

When exploring the Naruto and Tokushima City area, sampling locally produced sake is a rewarding way to connect with the region’s food culture and traditional industries. Enjoy Narutotai alongside Japanese cuisine, where its refined aromas and balanced flavors can complement a variety of dishes, and discover how more than two centuries of experience continue to shape the art of sake brewing.

Information

Name
Narutotai Sake: Japanese Craftsmanship Refined Over More Than 200 Years
Link
Official Site

Naruto, Tokushima City

Tokushima