GENSAKA - SAKAYA HACHIBEI SEN JUNMAI DAIGINJO

Brewery Information

Gensaka Shuzō is located in Yanagihara, Mie Prefecture, a region known for its pure water sources and rich natural surroundings. The brewery works with water from the Miyagawa river basin and carefully selected rice. Their style revolves around balance, purity, and a sake that quietly comes into its own at the table.

During our internship and stay at the brewery, we gained exceptional insight into the philosophy of Shinpei-san and Shota-san. From the meticulous making of their own kōji to the deliberate limitation of interventions during the brewing process, everything is centered on precision, craftsmanship, and trust in the natural course of fermentation.

This combination of tradition and innovation, together with a minimalist approach, forms the core of their style. The result is a pure sake in which raw ingredients and technique are fully expressed: layered, full of character, and crafted with a clear vision.

SEN Junmai Daiginjo reveals the refined and elegant side of Gensaka Shuzō. The name SEN (饌) refers to shinsen, the carefully prepared meals offered to the kami, the deities in Shintoism. This tradition holds special meaning in Mie, home to Ise Jingū, where offering food to the deities plays a central role. With this name, the brewery expresses its gratitude for the rice and the gifts of nature. A thought that beautifully reflects their respect for ingredients and the craftsmanship behind this sake.

For this sake, the brewery uses Yamada Nishiki rice, polished down to 35%. This means that 65% of the original rice grain is milled away.

In the glass, SEN opens with soft aromas of green apple and a light hint of banana. On the palate, it is smooth and rounded, with a delicate rice umami and a gentle sweetness that gradually unfolds. Its refinement lies in the balance: fruity and soft, yet with enough structure to give the flavor depth.

A subtle, lightly sharp bitterness brings tension to the long, pleasant finish and keeps the rounded sweetness beautifully in check. This makes SEN elegant and inviting, whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a refined dish.

Serve lightly chilled with scallops and cauliflower cream, poached lobster, crab with avocado, or sushi and sashimi. Its fruitiness and rounded texture also pair beautifully with burrata and pear or a delicate panna cotta.