What Is Sake Made Of? A Beginner’s Simple Guide to Sake
- What Is Sake Made Of? A Beginner’s Simple Guide to Sake
- What is Japanese sake, nihonshu?
- Learn Sake Like a Local in Asakusa
- 1. 🏯 Junmai (純米) – The Pure One
- 2. 🍽️ Honjozo (本醸造) – The Easy Drinker
- 3. 🌸 Ginjo (吟醸) – The Elegant One
- 4. 🥂 Daiginjo (大吟醸) – The Fancy One
- 5. ☁️ Nigori (濁り酒) – The Cloudy & Fun
- 6. ⚡ Namazake (生酒) – The Wild One
- 7. ⌛ Koshu (古酒) – The Aged One
- 8.🍶 Junmai Ginjo (純米吟醸) – The Smooth Artisan
- 9.👑 Junmai Daiginjo (純米大吟醸) – The Masterpiec
- Bonus: Sparkling & Seasonal Sake
- Sake Styles at a Glance
What is Japanese sake, nihonshu?
You’ve heard of sake. Maybe you’ve even tried it.
But have you truly understood it?
Sake is more than Japan’s national drink — it’s centuries of craftsmanship in a cup.
With every sip, there’s a story: of rice polished to perfection, of mountain water, of time, temperature, and tradition.
From rich, earthy brews to crisp, floral notes, the world of sake is vast, nuanced, and waiting to be explored
This sake roadmap is your key — whether you’re a curious first-timer or someone chasing that unforgettable bottle you once had in Kyoto.
Learn Sake Like a Local in Asakusa
Join a knowledgeable Japanese guide for bar hopping at two local spots in Asakusa. You’ll not only taste different kinds of sake, but also learn how to recognize flavors and discover your personal favorites. On the way between bars, enjoy stories about Asakusa’s rich history and culture. Take home not just memories, but the skill to enjoy sake with confidence.
1. 🏯 Junmai (純米) – The Pure One
Meaning: “Pure rice” — no added alcohol, just rice, water, koji, and yeast.
Taste: Rich, earthy, umami, sometimes slightly sour.
Vibe: Traditional. Honest. Balanced.
👉 Best served: Warm or at room temperature.
👉 Perfect for: Chilly nights, old-school izakaya, or meals with umami like miso or grilled fish.
🍶 Sake brands:宝剣(Houken),神雷(Shinrai),田中六十五(Tanaka rokujugo)
2. 🍽️ Honjozo (本醸造) – The Easy Drinker
Meaning: Small amount of distilled alcohol is added to bring out aroma and lighten body.
Taste: Light, smooth, slightly dry.
Vibe: Easygoing. Clean finish.
👉 Best served: Slightly chilled or warm.
👉 Perfect for: Dinner with friends, sushi, or bar hopping in Tokyo.
🍶 Sake brands:石鎚(Ishizuchi), 美和桜(Miwasakura),浦霞(Urakasumi)
3. 🌸 Ginjo (吟醸) – The Elegant One
Meaning: Made from highly polished rice (at least 40% milled away).
Taste: Floral, fruity, smooth.
Vibe: Refined. Aromatic. Delicate.
👉 Best served: Cold or chilled.
👉 Perfect for: Omakase meals, date nights, or relaxing in a ryokan with a view.
🍶 Sake brands: 雨後の月(Ugonotsuki),黒龍(Kokuryu),
4. 🥂 Daiginjo (大吟醸) – The Fancy One
Meaning: Even more polished rice (50%+ milled away), made with love and precision.
Taste: Ultra-refined, light, aromatic, clean.
Vibe: Premium. Celebration-level.
👉 Best served: Cold.
👉 Perfect for: Celebrations, proposals, anniversaries — or just treating yourself.
🍶 Sake brands:鍋島(Nabeshima),九頭龍(Kuzuryu)
5. ☁️ Nigori (濁り酒) – The Cloudy & Fun
Meaning: “Cloudy sake” – unfiltered with rice particles still inside.
Taste: Creamy, sweet, sometimes fizzy.
Vibe: Playful. Friendly. Dessert-y.
👉 Best served: Cold, shaken gently.
👉 Perfect for: First-time drinkers, spicy food, or as a sake “dessert.”
🍶 Sake brands:竹鶴(Tkesturu),雁木（Gangi)
6. ⚡ Namazake (生酒) – The Wild One
Meaning: Unpasteurized sake. Must be refrigerated.
Taste: Bright, fresh, zesty. Sometimes fizzy.
Vibe: Raw. Youthful. Bold.
👉 Best served: Cold — and consumed quickly!
👉 Perfect for: Adventurers, sake fans looking for something exciting and seasonal.
🍶 Sake brands:飛鸞(Hiran),寒菊(Kankiku)
7. ⌛ Koshu (古酒) – The Aged One
Meaning: Aged sake (1–3+ years). Rare and rich.
Taste: Deep, earthy, sherry-like. Sometimes nutty or caramelized.
Vibe: Philosophical. Slow. Unique.
👉 Best served: Room temperature or slightly warm.
👉 Perfect for: Thoughtful moments, sipping while journaling, or pairing with aged cheese.
🍶 Sake brands:十四代(Juyondai),山吹(Ymabuki)
8.🍶 Junmai Ginjo (純米吟醸) – The Smooth Artisan
Meaning: Made with highly polished rice (≤60%) and no added alcohol. A refined balance of craftsmanship and purity.
Taste: Clean, light, with fruity notes like apple or banana. Soft aroma, smooth body.
Vibe: Elegant. Gentle. Artistic.
👉 Best served: Chilled or slightly cool.
👉 Perfect for: Sushi night, thoughtful dinners, or first-time sake explorers.
🍶 Sake brands:雨後の月(Ugonotsuki),賀茂金秀(Kamokinshu)
9.👑 Junmai Daiginjo (純米大吟醸) – The Masterpiec
Meaning: The highest grade of pure rice sake, using rice polished down to ≤50%. No additives, only perfection.
Taste: Floral, aromatic, with flavors of melon, lychee, and soft rice sweetness. Ultra-smooth and clean.
Vibe: Sophisticated. Celebratory. Memorable.
👉 Best served: Well chilled.
👉 Perfect for: Celebrations, gifts, romantic dinners, or when only the best will do.
🍶 Sake brands:久保田(Kubota), 賀茂鶴(Kamotsuru)
Bonus: Sparkling & Seasonal Sake
- ✨ Sparkling sake is bubbly, light, fun — like Japan’s version of prosecco!
- 🌸 Seasonal bottles (e.g. “Hiyaoroshi” in fall, “Shiboritate” in winter) offer limited-edition flavors and gorgeous labels.
- Sake brands:澪(Mio),真澄(Masumi)
If you’re visiting during sakura season, be sure to ask your Rental Japanese companion to help you find a bottle that matches the mood
Sake Styles at a Glance
| Sake | Ingredients | Rice Polish | Flavor | Best Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junmai (純米酒) | Rice, rice malt | ー | Rich, full-bodied, savory | Warm or room temp |
| Honjozo (本醸造酒) | Rice, rice malt, brewer’s alcohol | 70% or less | Light, clean, smooth | Slightly chilled |
| Ginjo (吟醸酒) | Rice, rice malt, brewer’s alcohol | 60% or less | Fruity, floral, elegant | Chilled |
| Daiginjo (大吟醸酒) | Rice, rice malt, brewer’s alcohol | Less than 50% | Ultra-refined, aromatic, smooth | Chilled |
| Junmai Ginjo (純米吟醸酒) | Rice, rice malt | 60% or less | Balanced, fruity, rice-forward | Chilled |
| Junmai Daiginjo (純米大吟醸酒) | Rice, rice malt | Less than 50% | Elegant, nuanced, masterfully crafted | Chilled |
Each bottle is a story — of craft, of region, of time.
But the true joy of sake is exploring its endless variety and discovering your own favorite, much like the depth of wine. On our bar hopping tour, you’ll even visit a sake shop where you can see countless bottles, and enjoy a sake flight that makes our tour especially focused on Japanese sake.
Ready to explore the world of Japanese sake? Join our Asakusa Bar Hopping Tour and find your perfect match. Perfect for anyone eager to dive deeper into the world of sake.
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