The Sake Anatomy › Sake Brand Index › Imayotsukasa
No.108 · Brewery Profile
Imayotsukasa今代司 · Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery 今代司酒造
A short walk from Niigata Station, Imayotsukasa has brewed since 1767, starting life as a combined sake shop, clothing retailer and inn before settling into sake alone in the Meiji era. The kura brands itself as ‘only junmai,’ refusing any added distilled alcohol, and keeps a small museum and public tours running alongside a lineup that has picked up honors at the International Wine Challenge.
Who makes Imayotsukasa?
Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery, founded in 1767 a short walk from Niigata Station. It began as a combined sake shop, clothing retailer, and inn before settling into sake alone during the Meiji era. The kura brands itself “only junmai,” refusing any added distilled alcohol.
What does Imayotsukasa taste like?
Tagged Elegant & Refined and Rich & Umami. The Junmai Ginjo (full 3/5) and Junmai Daiginjo — “clear rice umami with a gentle aroma and clean finish,” aromatic 3/5 — are both made with 100%-Niigata Gohyakumangoku rice, with honors at the International Wine Challenge underscoring the range’s polish.
Which bottle should you try first?
The Nishikigoi is explicitly called the brewery’s flagship gift bottle, named for ornamental koi carp — the natural starting point.
How does Imayotsukasa compare to other Niigata breweries?
Niigata is usually associated with a bone-dry tanrei style, seen in prefecture-mates Kubota and Hakkaisan, both tagged Dry & Crisp. Imayotsukasa instead leans toward Rich & Umami alongside fellow prefecture-mate Kakurei, while staying Elegant & Refined.
Frequently asked questions
What did Imayotsukasa’s business look like before it focused on sake?
It began as a combined sake shop, clothing retailer, and inn, only settling into sake alone during the Meiji era.
Does Imayotsukasa add distilled alcohol to its sake?
No — the kura brands itself “only junmai” and refuses any added distilled alcohol.
What rice is used in Imayotsukasa’s Junmai Ginjo and Junmai Daiginjo?
Both are made with Gohyakumangoku rice; the Junmai Ginjo specifically uses 100% Niigata-grown grain.
The bottles
Junmai Ginjo純米吟醸
醇酒 Junshu · Rich“Made with 100% Niigata-grown Gohyakumangoku rice.”
Junmai Daiginjo純米大吟醸
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“Clear rice umami with a gentle aroma and clean finish.”
Nishikigoi錦鯉
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“Flagship gift bottle named for ornamental koi carp.”
Reading the bars: an editorial flavor reading (0–5) of each bottle — Dry→Rich, Light→Full, Subtle→Aromatic, Low→High acidity — not laboratory values. The colored badge is the SSI four-type classification (薫酒 Kunshu · 爽酒 Soshu · 醇酒 Junshu · 熟酒 Jukushu). SMV and acidity appear only where the brewery publishes them.
Sources: imayotsukasa.co.jp · niigata-sake.or.jp