7 Best Gekkeikan Sake From Kyoto and Where to Buy Them

Get to know Gekkeikan

Gekkeikan was founded in 1637 as a small sake brewery in Fushimi, a thriving castle and lodging town in Kyoto. In 1902, the brewery made its first U.S. export. Still, it was not until 1905 that the brand name "Gekkeikan," a symbol of victory and glory, was adopted as the company’s formal pledge to excellence. Tsunekichi Okura, the company's 11th head and godfather, improved quality by adopting new technology and introduced preservative-free bottled sake at a time when barreled sake was the norm.

To help spread Gekkeikan’s brand across the country, in 1910, the company decided to sell sake in cups at train stations, allowing people to drink pre-bottled sake on the go at a time when rail transport started to become prevalent in Japan. In 1961, techniques that allowed sake to be brewed year-round and not just in the harsh winter months were developed by Gekkeikan. This innovation enabled more stable conditions and thus higher-quality sake at any time of the year. Through ground-breaking ideas and revolutionizing sake production in Japan, Gekkeikan’s techniques have greatly impacted Japan’s sake industry.

Learn more about the brand at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

The Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum is where visitors can learn about the company’s history, local sake brewing techniques of Fushimi, as well as the history of Japanese sake. Sake brewing tools from the past are displayed in a sequence of processes, evoking the feel of a historic sake brewery. Following the tour, visitors can try three different beverages in the foyer, including Daiginjo-shu and plum wine.

Brewers make sake using traditional methods at the Uchigura Sake Brewery, which is adjacent to the museum and can be visited by advance reservation. Viewing of the traditional sake brewing process is held on an irregular schedule so tours are only available on certain days. However, if you visit during the winter months when sake brewing is in full swing, you can smell the distinct aroma of steamed rice and fermentation, and experience the atmosphere of a sake brewery.

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Address: 247 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 5-min walk from Chushojima Station (Keihan Line;) 10-min walk from Fushimi-Momoyama Station (Keihan Line) and Momoyamagoryo-Mae Station (Kintetsu Kyoto Line)
Official website: https://www.gekkeikan.com/museum/

Read on to find the best seven Gekkeikan sake.

Gekkeikan Horin Junmai Daiginjo

Horin Junmai Daiginjo is made of Yamada-Nishiki and Gohyakumangoku, two of the most highly regarded rice varieties for sake brewing. Many famous sake are made from Yamada-Nishiki, which is known for its well-balanced breakdown of starch and proteins. On the other hand, Gohyakumangoku is a small-grained variety with a large white core that contains a lot of starch, and it's thought to make mellow, clean sake. 

Horin Junmai Daiginjo is fermented for around 30 days—longer than typical sake—to bring out its aroma and flavor. The sake is created with meticulous attention to detail, with each label applied by hand. It has won the highest gold award in prominent international sake competitions and is widely appreciated all around the world.

Gekkeikan Daiginjo Sake (Namazume)

Daiginjo Sake (Namazume) features groundbreaking innovation in yeast and brewing technology, characterized by its refreshing Ginjo aroma. Sake is usually pasteurized twice before being marketed; however, this type is heated only once, as the heat treatment before bottling is omitted. After the heat treatment and pressuring, the sake is cooled immediately. It has a fruity aroma, like fresh green apples and pears, and a smooth, light, and refreshing mouthfeel. Chilling it between approximately 5 to 15 degrees Celsius enhances its aroma. It pairs well with lightly flavored dishes such as white fish carpaccio, tofu, and fresh cheese.

Official website: https://www.gekkeikan.com/products/daiginjo_sake/

Gekkeikan Yamada-nishiki Tokubetsu Junmai

​​Yamada-nishiki Tokubetsu Junmai is a premium sake made using Yamada-Nishiki rice, renowned for imparting rich flavors and aromas to sake of high quality. Despite the use of premium rice, which is usually reserved for high-end sake such as Daiginjo, it’s reasonably priced. It has a well-rounded palate with a slightly dry finish and a clean aftertaste. The black bottle with its gold cap will add a touch of elegance to your dining table and is best served chilled at 10 to 15 degrees Celsius or room temperature.

Official website: https://www.gekkeikan.com/products/yamada_nishiki_tokubetsu_junmai/

Gekkeikan Nigori Sake

During the sake-making process in Japan, sake must be filtered by pressing the mash through a cloth sieve to achieve clarity in color. However, Nigori sake is a white, cloudy style of sake because it undergoes the same sake-making processes but is passed through a more porous cloth, allowing rice solids to remain in the liquid, giving Nigori that distinct cloudy look. Gekkeikan's Nigori sake has a low alcohol content of 10 percent and is distinguished by its fruity aroma and pleasant flavor that balances sweet and sour notes. The unfiltered particles contribute to a soft mouthfeel, delivering a light taste. It is best to drink it chilled to about 5 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Official website: https://www.gekkeikan.com/products/nigori_sake/

Gekkeikan Kanjuku Umeshu Genshu

Kanjuku Umeshu Genshu is a plum wine created entirely from Nanko-ume, Japan's finest white plum, which is cultivated mainly in Wakayama Prefecture. Fully ripened Nanko-ume plums create a rich flavor with a sweet peach-like aroma and no bitterness. To gradually bring out the genuine flavor of the plums, ingredients are added in batches, and the sake is bottled undiluted, with no additives such as flavoring, coloring, or acidifiers. The translucent bottle, with its three-dimensional plum pattern, makes for a great souvenir or gift. It can be enjoyed on the rocks, with sparkling water, water, or hot water.

Official website: https://www.gekkeikan.com/products/kanjuku_umeshu_genshu/

Gekkeikan The Shot: Available at convenience stores

"The Shot" series comes in small 180-milliliter bottles and is available in convenience stores. The lineup includes four types: the black-labeled Hanayagu Dry Daiginjo, the gold-labeled Tsuyameku Rich Honjozo, the white-labeled Sawayaka White Usu Nigori, and the red-labeled Azayaka Juicy Junmai-shu. These sake are praised for their affordability, appealing to both sake enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Official website: https://www.gekkeikan.co.jp/theshot/ (in Japanese only)

Where to buy Gekkeikan sake

Gekkeikan's products are widely available, as befits a major sake manufacturer. You can find them everywhere from convenience stores to liquor stores and supermarkets. If you are looking for a unique product, you can get it from the manufacturer's online store or from the souvenir shop at the Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum in Fushimi, where the company's headquarters are located. They can also be found in tax-free stores at airports across Japan.

Find your favorite Gekkeikan sake

Gekkeikan, which offers a diverse range of sake and bottle sizes, has been gradually increasing its product line, producing new items that utilize modern technology while honoring its 380-year tradition. Many of their products are reasonably priced, making them ideal as souvenirs. Try out some of their creations and compare their aromas and flavors to experience the many qualities of Gekkeikan.

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*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

*Consuming alcohol under the age of 20 is prohibited by Japanese law, and these regulations also apply to international visitors and foreign residents in Japan. Please enjoy alcohol responsibly and don’t drive after drinking. Please also check the alcohol import allowance of your country before bringing them back into your country.