SAKE MAP
Kanto / Types: Sake
Six drinks from Tochigi, each with a snack that suits it and a short story behind the bottle.
Hobiden
A leading popular Tochigi label whose gorgeous, fruity aroma captivates many fans. Its almost fruit-like fragrance lightly overturns preconceptions of sake. True to the "biden" (beautiful paddy) in its name, it evokes the bounty of rich rice fields. Enjoy it in a wine glass, aroma and all.
Pairs with：Yuba (tofu skin) / Ayu-shioyaki (salt-grilled sweetfish)
Senkin
A Sakura-city individualist that has honed the balance of sweetness and acidity. Committed to brewing with only local water and rice, it features a fresh, white-wine-like acidity. A modern taste that lightly leaps beyond the traditional image of sake. It lets you feel the new possibilities of sake.
Pairs with：Shimotsukare (regional root-vegetable dish) / Yuba (tofu skin)
Daina
An Otawara powerhouse whose name means "the great bounty of Nasu." Insisting on Nasu-range spring water and local rice, it draws out an honest, robust umami. Its generous compatibility with food earns deep trust from connoisseurs. A refreshing bottle evoking the clear air of the Nasu highlands.
Pairs with：Chitake-soba (soba with lactarius mushrooms) / Yuba (tofu skin)
Sohomare
A distinguished Ichikai-town brewery that keeps upholding the labor-intensive "kimoto" method. From the old technique of naturally drawing out lactic bacteria comes a rich, full-bodied taste. Its choice of savoriness over flash stands out all the more when warmed. A serious sake to take your time with.
Pairs with：Shimotsukare (regional root-vegetable dish) / Kenchin-jiru (vegetable & tofu soup)
Sawahime
An Utsunomiya brewery flying the flag of a "true local sake declaration," insisting on brewing with only Tochigi's rice, water, and skill. Its thoroughly local stance shows in an unadorned, poised taste. It pairs well with Utsunomiya's famous gyoza, coloring the everyday table. Local things with local sake — it teaches you that luxury.
Pairs with：Utsunomiya gyoza / Yuba (tofu skin)
Shikizakura
A long-standing Utsunomiya label named with the wish to be loved like cherry blossoms through all four seasons. Its mellow, easy-drinking taste has a generous compatibility with a wide range of dishes. Long loved at local sake festivals, it's a Tochigi staple. A bottle you crave even when it isn't blossom season.
Pairs with：Yuba (tofu skin) / Yuzu (citron)