Abukuma Daiginjo
The Second Chapter Begins for "Abukuma," the Brand That Drew Widespread Attention.
Genba Honten, long known to the world as the home of 'Oushu Tsuru' sake, was facing a turning point. It all began when Yujiro Genba, the current Representative Director, returned home from Tokyo. Though he had been a successful businessman on the global stage, he had absolutely no knowledge of sake brewing. Realizing he couldn't catch up by only studying under the head brewer, he dove into his studies, learning both theory and technique at the National Research Institute of Brewing and the FUKUSHIMA SAKE ACADEMY.
"I worked desperately to close the gap with those who had specialized in brewing," he recalls. "But in practice, I often found myself lost." It was in those moments that his contemporaries—fellow brewers of his generation from across the prefecture—extended a helping hand. He sought guidance from these passionate artisans who were already hands-on in their own breweries. They engaged in heated discussions, and through that collaborative fire, he began to refine and transform the flavor of the brewery's existing 'Abukuma' brand.
The results were dramatic. The very first daiginjo he ever brewed stunningly won a Gold Prize at The Annual Japan Sake Awards. Two years later, after becoming the head brewer (toji) himself, he went on to win Gold Prizes for five consecutive years, steadily building an incredible track record for the brewery.
"Perhaps it was something I could only achieve because I was ignorant," Mr. Genba says humbly, yet with a burning passion. "Winning the Gold Prize was just a matter of happening to throw the ball into the established framework. The real work starts now." The evolution of 'Abukuma' has only just begun.
Genba Honten
Nestled in the rich nature of the Abukuma Mountains in Funehiki-machi, Tamura City, stands Genba Honten 🌿. Since its founding in 1823, the brewery has been brewing sake together with the local community for approximately 200 years. The signature sake “Abukuma” produced here is highly acclaimed for its reliable quality, having won the Gold Prize 🥇 at The Annual Japan Sake Awards for five consecutive years.
A major turning point in the brewery’s history occurred in 2001. Just as the previous generation had decided to close the business, Mr. Yujiro Genba, who was working as a trading company employee, returned to the brewery with a strong desire to “protect this historic brewery” and stepped into the world of sake brewing. The reborn “Abukuma,” crafted by Mr. Genba who eventually became the master brewer, has evolved while remaining grounded in tradition, attracting attention from sake fans 🍶✨.
“Abukuma” is characterized by a gentle mouthfeel, a mild aroma, and a full-bodied flavor. It softly accompanies the savory flavors of cuisine, gently enhancing the entire dining experience. At the foundation of this sake’s quality design lies the brewer’s unchanging wish: “May you unwind and spend a quiet moment with this sake.”
🍶 Abukuma Daiginjo
Brewed carefully using Yamadanishiki polished down to 40%.
This bottle features an exquisite balance between the gorgeous aroma and umami.
Its transparent quality is a characteristic shared across the entire “Abukuma” line.
🍶 Abukuma Tokubetsu Junmai
A Tokubetsu Junmai sake brewed using Yamadanishiki with a polishing ratio of 50% for the Koji rice and Yumenokaori for the Kake rice. It offers a plump and soft body, and upon tasting, you can feel a slowly spreading, gentle umami.
High-quality subsoil water from the Abukuma Mountains is used as the brewing water. For rice, highly rated varieties are exclusively selected, including Yamadanishiki, Fukushima Prefecture-grown Gohyakumangoku, and locally contract-farmed Yumenokaori and Chiyonishiki. All koji is carefully made without relying on machines, and the pressing is done using the traditional “fune” (vat press) method. We hope you take your time to enjoy this genuine handmade sake.
🏘️: Genba Honten
📍: 41 Funehiki Kitamachi-dori, Funehiki-machi, Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture
“Great rice, great water, great people. Fukushima sake 🍶”
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