The weather is definitely leaning to the slightly warmer spring side (blink and you’ll miss it), and the number of events happening around Japan indicate that brewers finally have some time on their hands to get out, have some fun and take their sake to the masses.
It’s the time of year to monitor one’s calendar carefully so as to not miss out on any of the shenanigans around town. So grab a pen and start circling dates because it’s time to get out there and find some new sake, revisit old friends and ENJOY sake!
And now for the news…
Saga- Saga Prefecture has officially launched its “newly” developed sake rice variety, Saga Sake No. 73. The new rice has been nine years in the making as a response to demand for high-quality local brewing rice with an improved resilience to heat and solubility issues.
The variety made its debut via a trial brew release at a local tourism event, “Kashima Sake Brewery Tourism 2026”.
The first bottling, has been produced by Baba Shuzojō (maker of Nogomi), and uses 100% Saga Sake No. 73 alongside locally developed StyG (Saga Hagakure) yeast and prefectural water, positioning it as a fully “All-Saga” sake aligned with the region’s “The SAGA” certification framework. The initiative also reflects continued growth in premium categories, with junmai and other tokutei meishō-shu now accounting for over 70% of shipments.
Early tastings describe a profile of fresh, fruit-driven aromatics, soft sweetness, and underlying umami depth. According to Koichiro Baba, the rice may produce a distinct sweetness compared to existing varieties.
The new rice is expected to support both quality improvements and farm-level profitability, with further trial releases planned as brewers assess its commercial potential.
Source – SagaTV | Pref.Saga
JG: I think the most significant point here is the clear statement that the rice was developed to have an “improved resilience to heat and solubility.” There are lots of great rice strains out there, and while the “made in Saga” point was surely one priority, clearly addressing modern challenges was obviously up there too. Often, it takes several years for a new rice to work its way into the prefectural mainstream; let us hope Saga Sake No. 73 pans out well.
馬場酒造場（能古見）
Fukuoka- Best Amenity Co., Ltd., based in Kurume, Fukuoka, has announced it will acquire the facilities, real estate, and sake brewing operations of Hanano Tsuyu, a brewery with roots dating back to the Edo period. The move follows Hanano Tsuyu’s business closure in December 2024 and subsequent bankruptcy filing.
