The most popular sake brands in Japan
The top 3 according to 4 votes from people: Juyondai (Yamagata, Takagi Shuzo) · Dassai (Yamaguchi, Asahi Shuzo) · Hakkaisan (Niigata, Hakkai Jozo). (Updated Jun 23, 2026.)
Sake that always ranks near the top of 2026 rankings on SAKETIME, Kakaku.com and Sakenowa, from hard-to-find cult labels to beginner-friendly classics.
Automatically translated (original in 日本語). See the original
Top 10
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1
Juyondai (Yamagata, Takagi Shuzo)
The sake that sparked the rich, fruity sake boom; a hard-to-find label at the top of every ranking.
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2
Dassai (Yamaguchi, Asahi Shuzo)
Brewery making only junmai daiginjo; the face of sake around the world.
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3
Hakkaisan (Niigata, Hakkai Jozo)
Clean, crisp classic recommended for beginners.
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4
Aramasa (Akita, Aramasa Shuzo)
Innovator using kimoto and wooden vats; its No.6 series is hugely popular.
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5
Jikon (Mie, Kiyasho Shuzo)
Fresh, juicy sake whose popularity soared.
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6
Hiroki (Fukushima, Hiroki Shuzo)
Balanced food sake, Fukushima's celebrated label.
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7
Kubota (Niigata, Asahi Shuzo)
Benchmark of light, dry Niigata sake, known for Manju and Senju.
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8
Kokuryu (Fukui, Kokuryu Shuzo)
Daiginjo pioneer, a popular gift.
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9
Denshu (Aomori, Nishida Shuzoten)
Masterful junmai made only with rice and koji.
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10
Senkin (Tochigi)
Sweet-tart, domaine-style sake with character.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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11
Nabeshima (Saga, Fukuchiyo Shuzo)
Saga sake crowned 'Champion Sake' at IWC 2011.
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12
Kamoshibito Kuheiji (Aichi, Banjo Jozo)
Wine-like sake served at three-Michelin-star restaurants in Paris.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (1)
十四代は入手困難すぎる…定価で飲めたら最高。