Award ceremony held! Grand Prix winner! [Suisei, produced in Hokuryu Town] Made with 100% Hokkaido rice! Sake Award 2023 [Ryujin Tokubetsu Junmai] Ryujin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Gunma Prefecture)

Friday, October 13, 2023

The Hokkaido Rice Sake Awards 2023 award ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 10th from 11:00 AM at the Beer Ridge Hall (B2F) of the Sapporo View Hotel Odori Park.

Hokkaido Rice Sake Award 2023 Theme: Weaving Sake

"Ryujin Tokubetsu Junmai" by Ryujin Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Gunma Prefecture, Representative: Isao Kezuka), which uses 100% "Suisei" rice grown in Hokuryu Town, won the Grand Prix!!!

• Organizer:Hokkaido
• Sponsor:Hokkaido Sake Brewers Association, Hokuren Agricultural Cooperative Association
• operation:FY2023 Rice and Sake Region Promotion Project, Hokkaido Sake Sales Expansion Project Consortium "Made with Hokkaido Rice - Sake Award 2023" Secretariat

The Hokkaido Rice Sake Award 2023 aims to raise awareness and brand power of Hokkaido sake and stimulate demand. This contest, now in its third year, puts Hokkaido sake rice at the forefront, strengthens its appeal to young people and women, and places emphasis on the consumer perspective.

The theme is "Weaving Sake," which expresses the desire to weave connections between people and the history of sake breweries through sake.

The judging was held over two days, on September 12th (25 judges from the expert, distribution, and restaurant categories) and September 18th (general public), and a total of 293 Hokkaido residents judged the entries. Of the 19 sake entries from within and outside Hokkaido (15 breweries within Hokkaido and 4 breweries outside Hokkaido), seven winning sakes, including the Grand Prix, were selected.

• For the Hokkaido Prefectural Government press release "Announcement of the award-winning sake (dated September 29th)," please click here >>
• Click here for the Hokkaido Prefectural Government press release "About the Awards Ceremony (dated October 4th)" >>

Listing conditions

1. It must be a "junmai sake (excluding junmai sake with a rice polishing ratio of 50% or less)" made using rice of a variety cultivated in Hokkaido and grown entirely within the prefecture.
2. The price must be within 2,500 yen (excluding tax) in a 4-cup bottle. However, the secretariat will cover the cost up to 2,000 yen (excluding tax).
3. The sake must be able to continue to be sold in Hokkaido for a certain period of time after the award ends (this can also be done through the company's own online shop).
4. Breweries will endeavor to disseminate information via their websites and social media at the time of notification from the secretariat.

（Source: FY2023 Hokkaido Sake Promotion Plan）。

19 patterns exhibited (Hokkaido sake breweries: 14 breweries, 16 breweries)

Currently (as of September 2023), there are a total of 14 sake breweries and 16 production facilities in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido's pride and joy: rice suitable for sake brewing

Hokkaido's pride and joy, "rice suitable for sake brewing," is characterized by having a white core, being low in protein and fat, and having large, sturdy grains. There are three varieties: "Ginpu," "Suisei," and "Kitashizuku," each with its own unique characteristics and flavor.

7 Award-winning sake

Grand Prize: "Ryujin Special Junmai" Ryujin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Gunma Prefecture)

🌾 Rice used: "Suisei" rice from Hokuryu Town

Young People's Award: "Junmai Ginjo Kamikawa" by Midorigaokagura, Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery (Kamikawa Town)

🌾 Rice used: "Ginfu" from Hokkaido

Women's Award: "Sugata Junmai Ginjo Sake" Iinuma Meijo Co., Ltd. (Tochigi Prefecture)

🌾 Rice used: "Kitashizuku" produced in Asahikawa City

Foreigner Award: "Junmaishu" Usui Katsusaburo Shoten (Nemuro City)

🌾 Rice used: "Ginfu" from Hokkaido

Award in the Expert, Distribution and Restaurant Category: "Chitosetsuru First Brew Junmai Ginjo Kita Shizuku" Nippon Sake Co., Ltd. (Sapporo)

🌾 Rice used: "Kitashizuku" from Shintotsukawa Town

Label Design Award: "Tokachi Junmai Ginjo" by Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., Hekiunzura (Obihiro City)

🌾 Rice used: "Ginfu" from Hokkaido

A perfect gift for a 20th birthday celebration: "Special Junmai Mizuho no Shizuku" by Kobayashi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Kuriyama Town)

🌾 Rice used: "Suisei" rice from Ebetsu City
🌾 This sake was selected by DJ Heidi, the head of the cheering squad (Pashu Port Hokkaido PR manager).

A wide selection of 19 brands of sake!

Hokkaido Rice Ambassadors: Yui Takaoka and Moe Kobayashi

Award Ceremony

The general host will be freelance announcer Misa Kunii (Misa Kunii official website and SNS >>）。

The Hokkaido Rice Sake Awards 2023 has been held since 2021 with the aim of raising awareness of the brand power of Hokkaido sake and Hokkaido sake rice, and reviving demand for sake. This year marks the third time the awards have been held.

This year's theme is "Weaving Sake." It expresses our hope to continue weaving the connections between people who were unable to meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the history of the sake brewery.

This year we have set up a quota for foreigners and have established a new award. Now, we will move on to the award ceremony."

Greetings from the organizer: Mr. Yu Mitobe, Director of the Agriculture and Forestry Department of Hokkaido

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the sake breweries and sake rice producers for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend today's award ceremony for the Hokkaido Rice Sake Awards 2023.

Hokkaido is now one of the leading rice-producing regions in Japan. Producers have been highly praised for their improved varieties, such as "Nanatsuboshi" and "Yumepirika," solidifying Hokkaido's reputation as one of Japan's leading rice-producing regions.

In addition, new varieties of sake rice from Hokkaido, such as "Ginpu," "Suisei," and "Kitashizuku," have appeared and are now used and loved by over 50 sake breweries, both in Hokkaido and overseas. We believe that the reputation of sake rice from Hokkaido is growing day by day.

This year, 2023, marks the third time the Sake Awards have been held, and the event is being held with the aim of attracting as many fans of sake made with Hokkaido rice as possible.

This year, once again, we have received many wonderful entries and have been evaluating them. This year's awards ceremony will focus on sake rice, and we have decided to hold the event with that in mind, including the participation of the producers from Hokuryu Town who are here today.

I actually had the opportunity to judge 19 brands. I was impressed by how each brewery's unique characteristics and craftsmanship were utilized in the aroma, taste, and appearance. I would like to share this excitement with as many people as possible, including myself.

This year's judging was conducted by a total of 293 judges, including beginners who don't usually drink much sake, sake tasters, and buyers. I will now present the awards to each of the breweries, and I believe that they reflect the excellent skills of the brewers, who are all equally impressive.

We will continue to make steady progress in promoting sake made with Hokkaido rice, so that it will take off not only within the prefecture, but also throughout Japan and the world.

I would like to conclude my opening remarks by wishing all of you gathered here today continued good health and success, and that sake made from Hokkaido rice will take flight around the world. Thank you for your cooperation today."

Guest speech: Tetsuo Kawamura, Chairman of the Hokkaido Sake Brewers Association

"The Hokkaido Sake Award 2023, hosted by Hokkaido Prefecture and now in its third year, is an awards ceremony for sake made with Hokkaido rice, the quality of which is improving year by year.

The quality of wine in Hokkaido is improving year by year. Governor Suzuki has said, "I want to make Hokkaido the second Napa Valley," and the quality of Hokkaido itself is improving.

As a Hokkaido resident, I would like the brewers at Hokkaido Sake Breweries to use good Hokkaido rice and make good Hokkaido sake.

I am extremely pleased that the sake brewers in Honshu who are being recognized today also like Hokkaido rice and have been able to create such excellent sake.

"Thank you very much for inviting me to this very auspicious occasion today. I will continue to do my best for the development of Hokkaido. I look forward to your continued support."

Guest speech: Akiya Minami, General Manager of the Rice Business Division, Hokuren Agricultural Cooperative Association

"I would like to congratulate you on the grandeur of the award ceremony for the Hokkaido Rice Sake Awards 2023. Congratulations.

When this sake award began, we were in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I imagine that sake breweries and everyone involved was in a really difficult situation. As producers, we felt that we had to somehow overcome this crisis, so we shared the pain and worked together with everyone.

This year, we have reduced the planted area by about 40% and have responded to demand several times. Thanks to this, life has finally returned to normal. This year, we have returned to about 90% of the planting area before COVID-19. I think this will be an important year for us to move forward from here.

This year in Hokkaido, we have experienced unprecedented temperatures. We are joined by producers from Hokuryu Town today, who are working hard in the heat to produce the best possible rice. The harvest is already over and the rice is being transported to the facilities.

We have never experienced such heat before, so the teachers at the testing center will also be working hard to come up with countermeasures against the heat.

I have heard that this year's sake rice has a relatively high protein content, so I hope that the brewers will be able to overcome this, including using their skills.

Due to the hot weather, there is a slightly higher amount of "Shirata" (white rice). Each facility carefully adjusts the quality and produces first-grade rice before shipping it out. I've heard that most of the rice can be shipped as first-grade rice. We will continue to work hard to deliver high-quality rice to consumers.

This year has been a year of heat waves both outside Hokkaido and elsewhere, causing disasters. In that sense, it seems likely that the heat will continue.

The latest information is that we are doing business with 75 breweries across the country, and the number is steadily increasing. I hope that through this sake award, we can continue to grow together with you all, and I would like to conclude my remarks by saying congratulations on your participation today.

Introduction of attendees: Kitasorachi Agricultural Cooperative Association Representative Director and Managing Director, Mr. Naoto Matsuda

Announcement and awards ceremony for the award-winning breweries

Explanation of the judging method: Freelance announcer Misa Kunii

"I will explain the screening process.
First, the conditions were that it be made with Hokkaido rice and that it be commercially available, and that one brand be selected per brewery. In the end, 19 brands were submitted from 19 breweries, including 15 breweries from 13 breweries in Hokkaido and 4 breweries from 4 breweries outside Hokkaido.

On Tuesday, September 12th, 25 judges, including experts and members of the food and beverage distribution division, tasted these 19 brands and gave them an overall rating on a four-point scale.

On Monday, September 18th, cheering squad leader DJ Heidi and two general judges tasted the drinks and graded them on a four-point scale.

The seven awards have been decided: the Grand Prix, Young People's Award, Women's Award, Foreigner's Award, and Professional, Distribution and Restaurant Category Award, which were determined based on the total points of 2 points for "I really like it" and 1 point for "I like it"; the Label Design Award, which was decided by popular vote; and the Best Alcohol to Give as a Gift for a 20th Birthday, chosen by DJ Heidi, the leader of the cheering squad.

The best sake to give as a 20th birthday gift, chosen by the cheering squad leader: "Special Junmai Mizuho no Shizuku" by Kobayashi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Kuriyama Town)

🌾 Rice used: "Suisei" rice from Ebetsu City

Comments from cheer leader DJ Heidi (read by announcer Kunii)

"When I turned 20, I was given a bottle of sake to celebrate. It was a very memorable occasion; I remember carrying it carefully home, being surprised at how different the taste was between when I opened it and the next day, and drinking a lot and getting drunk.

This time, I was the one celebrating, and when it came time to choose, I had a hard time deciding because all the drinks were delicious. After much deliberation, I decided to choose Mizuho no Shizuku by Kobayashi Sake Brewery to celebrate my 20th birthday.

What I like most about this sake is its clean taste, but it also has a strong umami flavor, making it a very delicious drink.

When I turned 20 and made my sake debut, I thought that the criteria for choosing a sake would be a refreshing taste and a balance of the umami flavors of rice and sake.

I hope that people will get interested in sake through Kobayashi Sake Brewery's Mizuho no Shizuku and become fans of Hokkaido sake."

Comments from the award winner: Shuji Minami, Executive Officer and Head of the Production Department (Toji), Kobayashi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

"We are very moved. Our handmade sake has been highly praised by everyone, and it is a sake that young people in their twenties would especially like to give as a gift, so this is a very welcome award for us.

I will continue to work hard, using this award as encouragement. I would like to ask for your support from everyone involved. Thank you very much."

Label Design Award: "Tokachi Junmai Ginjo" by Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., Hekiunzura (Obihiro City)

🌾 Rice used: "Ginfu" from Hokkaido

Comments from the winner: Shinji Kawabata, Executive Vice President of Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

"The Label Design Award is a newly established award, but in our case, we incorporated the essence of the character "dai" (large) from Daisetsuzan, known as the roof of Hokkaido, to create a family crest that evokes the essence of Hokkaido, and used it in our label design. We are very pleased that this has been recognized.

This design is attached to most of our labels, so we feel that all of our drinks have been appreciated. Thank you."

Award in the Expert, Distribution and Restaurant Category: "Chitosetsuru First Brew Junmai Ginjo Kita Shizuku" Nippon Sake Co., Ltd. (Sapporo)

🌾 Rice used: "Kitashizuku" from Shintotsukawa Town

Comments from the winner: Tomoko Ichizawa, Executive Officer of Nippon Sake Co., Ltd. and Chief Brewer of Chitosetsuru Brewery

"Thank you very much for receiving the award today. This award is for a product that has just been produced in our new brewery. Receiving praise from experts, as well as from distributors and restaurants, has given all of our employees a push in the right direction. Thank you very much."

Foreigner Award: "Junmaishu" Usui Katsusaburo Shoten (Nemuro City)

🌾 Rice used: "Ginfu" from Hokkaido

Comment from Usui Katsusaburo Shoten (read by announcer Kunii)

"Thank you very much for receiving the Foreigner's Award at the Hokkaido Rice Sake Awards 2023 today. With the proportion of sake exported increasing, I am very pleased that the sake we produce so that it can be delivered to people in Japan has been recognized in this way. We will continue to work hard every day. Thank you very much for this award."

Women's Award: "Sugata Junmai Ginjo Sake" Iinuma Meijo Co., Ltd. (Tochigi Prefecture)

🌾 Rice used: "Kitashizuku" produced in Asahikawa City

Comment from Iinuma Meijo Co., Ltd. (read by announcer Kunii)

"Thank you very much for receiving the Women's Award at the Hokkaido Rice Sake Awards 2023. I would like to continue brewing feminine sake that is unique to Hokkaido rice, so I appreciate your continued support. Thank you very much."

Young People's Award: "Junmai Ginjo Kamikawa" by Midorigaokagura, Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery (Kamikawa Town)

🌾 Rice used: "Ginfu" from Hokkaido

Comments from the award winner: Shinji Kawabata, Executive Vice President and Chief Brewer, Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

"The sake that won the Young People's Award this time, Junmai Ginjo Kamikawa, is a type of sake that can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores so that it can be enjoyed by more ordinary people than ever before. The fact that it was accepted by young people reminds us that it is a product aimed at a new customer segment.

I would like to continue working hard to increase the number of Hokkaido-produced sakes made with this type of Hokkaido rice. Thank you for today."

Grand Prize: "Ryujin Special Junmai" Ryujin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Gunma Prefecture)

🌾 Rice used: "Suisei" rice from Hokuryu Town

Comments from the winner: Ryujin Shuzo Co., Ltd. Production Department Manager/Toji (master brewer) Hideki Horikoshi

"I would like to express my gratitude for receiving this honorable award. Thank you very much.

We have been using "Suisei" rice from Hokuryu Town for the past five years. The first year was difficult, but two years ago, we entered the three-year period of the COVID-19 pandemic, and by doing what we could and making efforts to improve our techniques, we were able to produce a wonderful sake in the second year.

Now, "Suisei" is our specialty sake rice. I have been involved in brewing for 26 years, and personally, I think "Suisei" from Hokuryu Town is the best. It is a wonderful sake rice.

The sake made with "Suisei" is clear, yet has a rich umami flavor, low in amino acids, and a fruity aroma. Over the past three years, the sake made with "Suisei" has been extremely helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has gained support from customers all over the country.

The Grand Prix-winning sake "Ryujin" is on sale at Yamasho Shoten in Sapporo Chuo Ward, with a limited run of 500 bottles. If you're interested, please stop by. Thank you very much for coming today."

"Suisei" producers from Hokuryu Town will be speaking: Yasunori Watanabe, Yoshinobu Deguchi, and Hirokuni Kitakiyo (Kitasorachi Agricultural Cooperative Association, Hokuryu District Representative Director)

Comment from producer representative of "Suisei" from Hokuryu Town: Yasunori Watanabe

"As a producer, I am deeply moved to hear Mr. Horikoshi's wonderful comments.

I have been growing sake rice for 10 years now, and I am truly happy to be able to make sake using the rice I grow.

For the past few years, Ryujin Sake Brewery has been using "Suisei" sake produced in Hokuryu Town. In January of this year, the mayor, Kitasorachi Agricultural Cooperative, and Hokuren visited Ryujin Sake Brewery. We feel a strong connection between Ryujin Sake Brewery and Hokuryu Town due to their connection with the word "dragon."

Encouraged by this award, we as producers will strive to produce even better rice. Thank you very much for today."

Ryujin Sake Brewery presents "Ryujin Special Junmai" to Suisei producers

Comments from the judges: Comments and overall summary by Karin Kumada, Managing Director of Yutaka Meishu

Profile of Karin Kumada (Introduction of announcer Kunii)

• Born in California, USA, majored in mechanical engineering at an American university
• Before coming to Japan, he studied sake at "Meishu no Yutaka," a sake specialty store that handles 500 types of sake, mainly from all over Japan, and celebrates its 122nd anniversary this year. He joined the company in 2009 and is currently serving as Representative Director and Senior Managing Director.
• He has outstanding abilities, but he continues to work hard to improve his sake tasting skills together with his staff. He is a sake sensory evaluator and is qualified to teach the highest rank of WSET (the world's largest wine education institution).
• He has served as a judge at the UK's International Wine Challenge, the US Sake Tasting Competition, the National New Sake Tasting Competition, and the Tohoku New Sake Tasting Competition, and also works as an English interpreter and translator for sake-related work.
• In winter, he travels to sake breweries for up to three weeks, living and eating with the brewers, brewing sake, getting close to the brewers, and empathizing with their passion for sake-making. He is a sake evangelist who loves sake.

"I feel that Hokkaido sake is getting more delicious every year. I am truly grateful that they have used Hokkaido rice to create such wonderful sake.

This year's sake is uniquely Hokkaido, even though the breweries are from outside Hokkaido. This year's sake is not overly aromatic, but rather full of the fragrant, sweet, and refreshing aroma of Muscat, which is a trend this year, and I'm pleased that they are continuing to make sake that is uniquely Hokkaido.

All varieties have a clean, sharp taste, with a gorgeous melon-like flavor that is typical of Hokkaido. As Kamikawa Taisetsu Brewery's master brewer Kawabata puts it, "a sake you'll enjoy drinking," all of the sake is easy to drink, and before you know it, you'll have finished it all.

I just returned from Sendai the other day, where I was given the opportunity to judge at the Tohoku New Sake Tasting Competition, and I noticed a big change in the taste of sake there. Last year, there were many sakes that were sweet and had a strong aroma like pear or pineapple, and were not very acidic, but this year, 60% of the sakes were like the kind of sake that Hokkaido has been working hard to produce. There were many sakes that were not flashy, but were easy to drink in small portions.

I think it's a success that Hokkaido has not followed the trend and has continued to make a calming sake that suits Hokkaido. I think this is due to the hard work of everyone at the sake breweries in Hokkaido.

Farming rice is a difficult task that has been persevered through many years, both hot and cold, but I have heard from farmers I know that no matter how hard you try, you can only farm rice 60 times in a row. There are many different tasks in life, but farming rice is one task that can only be done 60 times.

Hokkaido rice has a long and wonderful history. Mr. Kyuzo Nakayama and others have worked hard to finally succeed in rice cultivation, and have poured their passion into promoting rice cultivation and passing it on to future generations. (Editor's note: Mr. Kyuzo Nakayama is the father of rice cultivation in Japan's cold regions.)
With the current difficult weather, I hope you will remember the hardships and thoughts of Mr. Kyuzo Nakayama and do your best.

We, the sellers and producers, are truly grateful for the delicious rice they produce. I believe that the future will be bright as the appeal of Hokkaido rice and sake spreads throughout the country. Thank you very much for joining us today."

Photo shoot of award winners and related parties

Tasting time

Yamasho Shoten, a retailer of Ryujin Special Junmai

🍶 address:10 Minami 3-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Tel/Fax:011-210-3373
Email:info@yamasyo-sake.comClosed:Sunday

Yamasho Shoten Facebook page

From the producers who lovingly cultivate sake rice, to the passionate brewers who make sake, to the sellers who act as a bridge to consumers, all are connected by wonderful connections, and we send our boundless love, gratitude, and prayers to a vibrant and brilliant Sake Awards 2023...

YouTube videos

Other photos

Award ceremony held! Grand Prix winner! [Suisei from Hokuryu Town] Made with 100% Hokkaido rice! Japanese Sake Award 2023 [Ryujin Tokubetsu Junmai] Ryujin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Gunma Prefecture) Photos (159 photos) can be found here >>

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◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)