From Junmai to Daiginjo – A Guide to Sake Varieties.
Sake, Japan’s traditional rice wine, is made from rice, water, yeast, and koji.
Its flavour and aroma change depending on the brewing process and how much the rice is polished.
Sake is mainly divided into two types: Specially Designated Sake and Ordinary Sake.
Specially Designated Sake (Tokutei Meisho-shu)
This premium category follows strict standards based on the rice polishing ratio and ingredients used.
Main types include:
Ginjo-shu:
Made with rice polished to 60% or less. Light, smooth, and aromatic, sometimes with a small amount of added alcohol.
Junmai-shu:
Brewed only from rice, water, and koji. Rich in umami with a well-balanced taste.
Honjozo-shu:
Uses rice polished to 70% or less with a touch of distilled alcohol. Clean, easy to drink, and enjoyable both warm or chilled.
Higher grades such as Daiginjo and Junmai Daiginjo are polished to 50% or less.
Ordinary Sake (Futsu-shu)
Sake that doesn’t meet the above standards is called Futsu-shu.
It usually uses rice polished to over 70% and may contain more added alcohol.
Futsu-shu is Japan’s everyday sake — simple, affordable, and perfect for casual drinking.
Other Popular Styles
Nama Sake:
Unpasteurised and fresh.
Nama-chozo-shu:
Stored cold and pasteurised once before shipping.
Namazume-shu:
Pasteurised before storage but not before bottling.
Ki-ippon:
Brewed entirely in one brewery.
Gen-shu:
Undiluted sake with rich flavour (around 18–20% alcohol).
Ori-sake / Nigori-sake:
Cloudy sake with fine rice sediments, soft and creamy.
Taru-sake:
Aged in cedar casks for a gentle woody aroma.
Koshu:
Aged 2–5 years for a deep, mellow taste.
Happou-shu:
Sparkling sake with light, refreshing bubbles.
Enjoying Sake
Sake can be enjoyed chilled, at room temperature, or warm — each style offers a unique taste.
Lighter types like Ginjo are best chilled, while richer ones like Junmai or Honjozo shine when warmed.
At Tokyo Liquor, we proudly offer premium sake such as Dassai, Kubota, and Urakasumi,
imported directly from Japan.
Sake is more than a drink — it’s a reflection of Japan’s craftsmanship, nature, and culture.