Product Development Story

• #5Pressing and Bottling of the Original Cup Sake Completed!

  

  This is an update on the development project for the "Fukushima sake" original cup sak...e series. 📰✨
  
  The sake has now moved into the "Josō" (pressing) stage!
  
  
  
  We visited Sasamasamune Shuzo in Kitakata City.
  
  @sasamasamune1818
  
  After about a month of fermentation, the "moromi" (fermenting mash) was sent to the pressing machine. As the freshly pressed sake—known as "arabashiri"—flowed into the tank, the area was filled with a beautiful "ginjo-ka" (fruity aroma).
  
  
  
  Koutaro Iwata, Executive Director:
  
  "The result is exactly as intended: a crisp, dry sake with a clean finish. It is not just dry; it also possesses a fine aroma and a solid structure. Since it is easy to keep drinking without tiring of the taste, I believe it will pair perfectly with bento meals during your travels. I can recommend this with full confidence as a 100-point finish."
  
  
  
  A few days later, the bottling process took place at Akebono Shuzo in Aizubange Town. @akebono_brewery After undergoing a heat pasteurization process called "hi-ire," the sake was filled into the cups one after another. Caps were then applied to each, completing the line-up of finished cup sakes. 🍶✨
  
  
  
  Koichi Suzuki, Representative:
  
  "We have successfully brewed an excellent sweet sake that follows our design perfectly. I am looking forward to seeing it sold in these originally designed cups. I truly hope many people will enjoy it."
  
  
  
  We can hardly wait for the official release! 💗
  
  Please stay tuned for further updates. ☺️!
  
  
  
  "Great rice, great water, great people. Fukushima sake.🍶"
  
  
  
  
  
  #FukushimaDestinationCampaign #FukushimaDC #CupSake #CupSakeProject #SakeLover #SakeStagram #LocalSake #Fukushima #Sake #JapaneseSake #FukushimasakeRead MoreClose

• #4Brewing of the Original Cup Sake Begins!

  

  Here is a follow-up report on the original "Fukushima sake" cup sake development proje...ct 📰✨
  
  The brewing of the sake for the cup sake project has begun at Akebono Shuzo!
  
  
  
  The highlight of this project is the collaboration between many different sake breweries🤝!
  
  On this day, brewers gathered from all over Fukushima Prefecture. One after another, they carried freshly steamed sake rice to the fermentation tanks. The brewing water used was a unique blend, brought together from each participating brewery.
  
  
  
  We spoke with Koichi Suzuki, Representative Director of Akebono Shuzo, where the brewing took place.
  
  
  
  Message from Koichi Suzuki:
  
  "We have been brewing together with so many other breweries and now we are finally ready to begin producing. It is unprecedented for 44 breweries to collaborate on a single sake, and I am excited to feel everyone's energy. I am confident we will create an excellent sake. I hope this cup sake serves as an opportunity for those who don't usually drink sake to give it a try."
  
  
  
  The following day, brewing for a second, distinct flavor of sake took place at Sasamasamune Shuzo.
  
  This project offers two different taste profiles. One features a combination of Fukushima Prefecture's original sake rice "Yumenokaori" and "Utsukushima Kirameki yeast," while the other combines the prefecture's original sake rice "Fukunoka" with "Utsukushima Yume yeast." 🍶💡
  
  
  
  We will continue to share updates on this project via the "Fukushima sake" Instagram. Please stay tuned for more information!
  
  
  
  "Great rice, great water, great people. Fukushima sake.🍶 "
  
  
  
  
  
  #FukushimaDestinationCampaign #FukushimaDC #CupSake #CupSakeProject #SakeLovers #SakeStagram #Sake #LocalSake #Fukushima #SakeLover #fukuneko_fukushima #sake #japanesesake #sakestagram #SakeGirls #SakeBoys #SakeBeginner #SakeConnect #SakeLover #CheersWithSake #Sake #InstaSake #sakelover #FukushimaSake #FukushimaSake #FukushimaSakeFestival #SakeEvent #SakeFestivalRead MoreClose

• #3Design Announcement

  

  Here is a follow-up report on the original "Fukushima sake" cup sake development proje...ct 📰✨
  
  The cup designs have finally been revealed 😆!
  
  
  
  To commemorate the Fukushima Destination Campaign and the 150th anniversary of the Fukushima Prefectural Government, two types of cups were created! They feature a blue-themed design carrying two logo marks on the "winds of happiness blowing through Fukushima"! The designs are perfectly displayed as a matching set.
  
  
  
  We asked Koichi Suzuki, Representative Director of Akebono Shuzo and Chairman of Joyukai, about this design.
  
  "The design is inspired by the catchphrase 'Shiawase no Kaze Fukushima (Wind of Happiness Fukushima)' for the main Fukushima Destination Campaign starting in April. We are particular about the sake inside the cups too, and want to create delicious sake using Fukushima's original sake rice and yeast. We hope this sake makes its way across the prefecture and brings a moment of happiness to everyone who drinks it."
  
  
  
  Not only the designs, but the taste of the sake will also be different, so we can't wait for the day we can taste them side by side! Click here for more details on the two cup sakes ↓↓
  
  https://www.fukunosake.com/dc-cupsake/progress
  
  
  
  Plus! Another highlight to share💡
  
  The cup design collaborating with a popular manga character will be announced at a later date. We're excited to see what kind of cup sake it will be!✨
  
  
  
  We will continue to share project updates here on the Fukushima Sake Instagram. Please stay tuned for future info!
  
  
  
  "Great rice, great water, great people. Fukushima sake🍶"
  
  
  
  
  
  #FukushimaDestinationCampaign #FukushimaDC #CupSake #CupSakeProject #SakeLover #PonshuTagram #Ponshu #Jizake #Fukushima #LoveSake #fukuneko_fukushima #sake #japanesesake #sakestagram #SakeGirls #SakeBoys #SakeBeginner #ConnectWithSakeLovers #SakeLover #KanpaiWithSake #JapaneseSake #InshuTagram #FukushimaSake #FukushimaNoSake #FukushimaSakeFestival #SakeEvent #SakeFestival #Fukushima150thAnniversaryRead MoreClose

• #2Design in Progress

  

  Here is a follow-up report on the original "Fukushima sake" cup sake development proje...ct📰✨
  
  While the taste of the sake is obviously key, the cup design is also super important!🍶
  
  
  
  We asked Yujiro Iwata, President of Sasamasamune Shuzo and member of Joyukai, about what kind of design we can expect.
  
  
  
  President Yujiro Iwata: "As we brainstormed ways to make a truly appealing product, the idea of using a certain famous character came up. After much coordination, a collaboration between that famous character and Fukushima's tourism icons has become a reality!
  
  We know you'll love collecting them all, so we're planning to prepare several design variations.
  
  We hope that the many people visiting the prefecture for the Fukushima DC will pick one up to enjoy during their trip or take home as a souvenir.
  
  We can't show you the designs just yet, but please look out for them!"
  
  
  
  You'll definitely want to keep an eye on the cup sake design moving forward👀💡
  
  
  
  We will continue to share project updates here on the Fukushima Sake Instagram. Please stay tuned for future info!
  
  
  
  
  
  "Great rice, great water, great people. Fukushima sake🍶"
  
  
  
  #FukushimaDestinationCampaign #FukushimaDC #CupSake #CupSakeProject #SakeLover #PonshuTagram #Ponshu #Jizake #Fukushima #LoveSake #fukuneko_fukushima #sake #japanesesake #sakestagram #SakeGirls #SakeBoys #SakeBeginner #ConnectWithSakeLovers #SakeLover #KanpaiWithSake #JapaneseSake #InshuTagram #FukushimaSake #FukushimaNoSake #FukushimaSakeFestival #SakeEvent #SakeFestivalRead MoreClose

• #1Project Launch

  

  An original "Fukushima sake" cup sake development project has officially kicked off in... preparation for the "Fukushima Destination Campaign" starting in April 2026 (Reiwa 8)!🍶✨
  
  
  
  Members of the young brewers' group "Joyukai" have gathered with a heartfelt goal: to create a product even more captivating than last year's hit "Fukushima Pre-Destination Campaign" commemorative cup sake, and to win over even more fans of Fukushima sake!
  
  
  
  We asked Koichi Suzuki, Chairman of "Joyukai" and Representative Director of Akebono Shuzo, about his thoughts on this project.
  
  
  
  Representative Director Koichi Suzuki: "I wanted to create a cup sake that truly captures the essence of Fukushima. It’s designed to be an inspiring reason for visitors coming for the Fukushima Destination Campaign to discover just how delicious Fukushima sake is during their travels. We are planning a completely new, original cup sake with special brewing created with obsessive attention to detail. I guarantee it will be a Fukushima sake you can only experience through this opportunity."
  
  
  
  We can't wait to see what kind of product will be born, right? 😊!
  
  
  
  We will be sharing follow-up reports on the project right here on the Fukushima Sake Instagram. Please stay tuned for future updates!
  
  
  
  "Great rice, great water, great people. Fukushima sake🍶"
  
  
  
  
  
  #FukushimaDestinationCampaign #FukushimaDC #CupSake #CupSakeProject #SakeLover #PonshuTagram #Ponshu #Jizake #Fukushima #LoveSake #fukuneko_fukushima #sake #japanesesake #sakestagram #SakeGirls #SakeBoys #SakeBeginner #ConnectWithSakeLovers #SakeLover #KanpaiWithSake #JapaneseSake #InshuTagram #FukushimaSake #FukushimaNoSake #SakeEvent #SakeFestival #MisoSoySauceFestivalRead MoreClose

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