3 Must-Try Sake for the Season
Hello,
This is Uchida, owner of Tabitebako, bringing you our April selection.
As cherry blossom season approaches, we welcome more and more visitors from both Japan and around the world.
And what are they all looking for?
Freshly arrived spring sake — especially “nama (unpasteurized) sake.”
Many guests come in carrying seasonal delicacies they’ve picked up at Tsukiji Uogashi or the Outer Market, enjoying the perfect pairing with these vibrant spring sakes.
What is “Nama Sake”?
Nama sake is unpasteurized Japanese sake, known for its incredibly fresh, lively, and expressive flavor.
One of the most fascinating aspects of sake is how it changes with the seasons—
each time of year offers its own unique character and taste.
However, because nama sake must be kept refrigerated,
👉 it cannot currently be shipped overseas.
Which means…
✨ This is a special experience you can only enjoy in Japan.
☁️ This Month’s Theme: “Kasumi” — Spring Haze
This month, we’re introducing cloudy, slightly unfiltered nama sake (nigori) inspired by the beauty of kasumi—the soft haze of spring.
“Kasumi” describes the gentle mist that drifts across mountains in spring,
creating a dreamy, blurred landscape in pale white.
Both “kasumi” and “harugasumi” (spring haze) are seasonal words representing the Japanese spring period known as “Miharu” (from early February to early May).
If you’re traveling in Japan during this time,
we highly recommend waking up a little earlier and enjoying a glass of kasumi sake alongside the morning haze.
👉 Try our kasumi-zake 3-bottle tasting set (¥300 shipping discount)
🍶 Our 3 Spring Selections
(1) Yahyemon Junmai Ginjo “Hibari no Kokoro” (Spring Limited) – Fukushima
Brewery: Yamato-gawa Brewery
Rice: Yamadanishiki (Koji) / Yumenoka (Kake)
A gentle and elegant sake with refreshing aromas of green apple and pear.
Its calm, umami-rich flavor feels like the quiet arrival of spring after a long winter.
The label is equally beautiful—evoking cherry blossoms emerging through a soft spring haze.
A limited seasonal release from Yamato-gawa Brewery in Kitakata, Aizu.
Pairing Ideas:
• Sakura sea bream sashimi
• Carpaccio
• Egg tofu
Perfect For:
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) / Home parties / Gifts
👉 Shop now
About the Brewery:
Founded in 1790 in Kitakata, Fukushima, Yamato-gawa Brewery combines traditional craftsmanship with innovation, using pristine water from Mt. Iide. Their flagship brand “Yauemon” has earned top awards in Japan and international recognition.
(2) Kariho “Spring KAWASEMI” – Akita
Brewery: Akita Seishu
Rice: Akita-grown rice
A Yamahai-style sake with depth and structure, offering a rich expression of the fermentation mash.
Among this month’s selections, this is the driest.
Its distinctive character comes from the traditional “sakafune pressing” method, where the fermented mash is gently pressed over time—resulting in a smooth, rounded umami.
A refined sake that quietly signals the arrival of spring.
Pairing Ideas:
• Sakura sea bream
• Steamed spring vegetables
• Light fish soup with yuzu pepper
Perfect For:
Hanami party / Gatherings / Gifts
👉 Shop now
About the Brewery:
Founded in 1865, Akita Seishu operates two breweries—Dewatsuru and Kariho—each specializing in traditional brewing methods such as Kimoto and Yamahai.
(3) Biroku Junmai Ginjo “Ori-garami” Nama Genshu – Miyagi
Brewery: Otokoyama Honten
Rice: 100% Miyagi-grown “Kuranohana”
As you bring the glass closer, soft aromas from the fermenting mash rise gently, along with a delicate lactic nuance.
On the palate, a refreshing acidity glides smoothly, finishing clean and crisp—making it a beautifully light and lively kasumi sake.
Pairing Ideas:
It pairs wonderfully with seafood from the Sanriku coast—
• especially oysters
• cherry salmon
• rockfish, and greenling
Perfect For:
Home drinking / Hanami party/ gatherings / Gifts
👉 Shop now
About the Brewery:
Founded in 1912 in Kesennuma, Miyagi, Otokoyama Honten crafts sake rooted in the local climate and ingredients. Their “Biroku” series reflects both tradition and innovation, driven by a new generation of brewers.
🌾 Discover the Character of Each Brewery
By intentionally leaving some of the rice solids (moromi) in the sake,
kasumi and nigori styles reveal deeper textures and richer flavors.
Each brewery expresses its own personality through this method—
that’s the true charm of cloudy sake.
🐟 Experience Spring in Tsukiji
Just a 10-minute walk from Ginza,
you’ll find Tsukiji Outer Market and Tsukiji Uogashi—home to professional fish vendors sourcing the freshest seafood daily from Toyosu Market.
From cherry salmon and sea bream to oysters and rockfish,
you’ll discover seasonal ingredients rarely found in regular supermarkets.
⚠️ Please note:
The sake introduced here is unpasteurized and cannot be shipped to Australia or Taiwan.
That’s why we invite you to experience it here in Tokyo.
Pick up fresh seafood at Tsukiji,
then bring it to Tabitebako and enjoy expertly curated sake pairings.
✨ A one-of-a-kind experience you can only have here.
🍶 Monthly Recommendations
Every month, Diploma-certified experts Uchida & Seo introduce seasonal sake selections.
👉 Read more articles
🛒 Available Online & In-Store
At Tabitebako, we offer:
• 50+ types of Japanese sake
• 10+ varieties of island craft beer
Our online store ships selected sake to Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.
If you’re visiting Tokyo, we’d love to welcome you in person!
🗾 View Store Map
Uchida
https://www.instagram.com/oceans_good
