On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the “Fukushima Autumn Sake Awards” were held at the Aizuwakamatsu Technical Support Center of the Fukushima Technology Centre in Aizuwakamatsu City. The Governor’s Prize and Gold Prize winners were selected from sake brewed during the 2024 brewing year.
The highest honor, the Governor’s Prize, was awarded to “Okunomatsu” (Higashinihonshuzo Cooperative, Nihonmatsu City) in both the Ginjo and Junmai categories, and to “Aizuchuujou” (Tsurunoe Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., Aizuwakamatsu City) in the Fukunoka category.
“Okunomatsu” won the top prize in both the Ginjo and Junmai categories. Following the award, Mr. Usuki, General Affairs Department Manager at Okunomatsu Sake Brewery (the brewer), expressed his delight:
“We are honored to receive the Governor’s Prize, the highest evaluation, in both the Junmai and Ginjo categories at the Fukushima Autumn Sake Awards.
We sincerely thank all our customers for their daily patronage and support, which made this possible.
Encouraged by this recognition, which we achieved thanks to everyone, we will continue to strive even harder to brew delicious sake that brings joy to all.”
A total of 153 sakes were entered: 74 in the Ginjo category, 63 in the Junmai category, and 16 in the Fukunoka category. The judging panel consisted of 13 experts, including Mr. Keita Yamada, Chief Appraiser of the Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau, and Mr. Kenji Suzuki, Special Advisor to the Fukushima Prefecture Sake Brewers Association and a sake advisor.
【Reiwa 7 (2025) Fukushima Autumn Sake Awards – Gold Prize Winners List】
~ Ginjo Category ~
★ Governor’s Prize
Okunomatsu (Higashinihonshuzo Cooperative)
★ Gold Prize Winners
Yauemon (YAMATOGAWA SHUZO Iidekura)
Senkoma (Senkoma Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
Suzunoi (Suzunoi Shuzoten Co., Ltd.)
Gensai (Suehiro Sake Brewery Co.,Ltd Hakasegura)
Hanaharu (Hanaharu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Kokken (Kokken Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Hirotogawa (MATSUZAKI SHUZO Co., Ltd.)
Meiwakura (Sasanokawa Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Aizuchuujou (Tsurunoe Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Fujinoi (Sato Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
ISSYO SEISYUN (Akebono Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
Bandaiho (Shiraishuzoten Goshi Kaisha)
Kaitouotokoyama (Kenichi Watabe (Kaitouotokoyama Shuzo))
Miharukoma (Miharu Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
Sasamasamune (Sasamasamune Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
~ Junmai Category ~
★ Governor’s Prize
Okunomatsu (Higashinihonshuzo Cooperative)
★ Gold Prize Winners
Anzu (Suehiro Sake Brewery Co.,Ltd Hakasegura)
Aizu Yoshinogawa (Yoshinokawa Shuzoten)
Hirotogawa (MATSUZAKI SHUZO Co., Ltd.)
Fujinoi (Sato Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Aizuchuujou (Tsurunoe Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Miharukoma (Miharu Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
Inochi (YAMATOGAWA SHUZO Iidekura)
Hanaharu (Hanaharu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
TENMEI (Akebono Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
Kitanohana (Kitanohana Shuzojo)
ROMAN (HANAIZUMI Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Aizu (Aizu Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
Kaisei (Sasanokawa Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Kuboi (Kenichi Watabe (Kaitouotokoyama Shuzo))
~ Fukunoka Category ~
★ Governor’s Prize
Aizuchuujou (Tsurunoe Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
★ Gold Prize Winners
Kinsuisho (Kinsuisho Shuzou Shikinokura)
ROMAN (HANAIZUMI Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Yamatoyazennai (Minenoyuki Shuzojo Co., Ltd.)
TENMEI (Akebono Shuzo Co., Ltd.)
Okunomatsu (Higashinihonshuzo Cooperative)
Anzu (Suehiro Sake Brewery Co.,Ltd Hakasegura)
*About “Fukunoka”
Fukunoka is an original sake-brewing rice variety developed by Fukushima Prefecture.
The name, meaning “Fragrance of Fortune,” reflects its characteristic of producing highly aromatic sake and carries the wish that good fortune (Fuku) will come to everyone associated with it.
