IINUMA HONKE
Brewery: Iinuma Honke Co., Ltd.
Founded: 1688~1703
Founded during the Genroku era, Iinuma Honke has been dedicated to sake brewing in Shisui, Chiba for more than 300 years. Blending traditional craftsmanship with modern brewing technology, the brewery produces its signature sake, “Kinoene Masamune.” Today, the company also focuses on tourism by making use of its brewery resources. In addition to sake itself, it aims to develop and offer experiences surrounding sake culture, including food pairings and accompaniments. Through its brewing philosophy, the company strives to create a “high-quality countryside” experience.
CHIBA
Sake Brewing, Water, and Rice
Kinoene Masamune is crafted by a team of five kurabito (brewers) led by the toji (master brewer) and factory manager, Koichi Kawaguchi. The brewers are committed to exploring innovative manufacturing techniques while maintaining the traditional craftsmanship of sake brewing. Their goal is to think creatively and produce sake that complements contemporary foods and tastes.
The brewery has two wells that draw water from 100 meters underground, used in the mashing, rice washing, and dilution processes. The moderately soft quality of this well water imparts a gentle and smooth flavor to the sake.
Iinuma Honke is among the few breweries in the prefecture with its own rice polishing facility. They employ the labor-intensive and time-consuming "flat milling (henpei seimai)" technique to polish rice, reducing its protein content to avoid off-flavors. This method allows them to produce a sake of exceptional purity.
Tasting Notes
Brewed exclusively from rice and rice koji - using Gohyakumangoku rice grown under contract in Shisui and Yachimata, and utilizing groundwater as the brewing water - this is a true Junmai proudly "Made in Chiba." It is a savory Junmai sake characterized by a mellow mouthfeel that preserves the inherent umami of the rice, offering a rich, robust, and substantial flavor profile.
Overview
Food Pairings: Yakitori, Sake-steamed Clams, Cod Milt with Ponzu Sauce, Tempura, Ajillo, Vegetable Fritto, Marinated Seafood, Cream of Shellfish Soup, Beurre Noisette, Pear and Gorgonzola Risotto, Sweet and Sour Pork, Miso-marinated Cream Cheese
Awards:
2025 - IWC - Silver Medal, Junmai Category
2025 - Kan Sake Award - Grand Gold Medal, Premium Nurukan Category
2025 - U.S. National Sake Appraisal - Gold Medal - Junmai B Category
2025 - Oriental Sake Award - Champion, Gold Medal - Junmai Category
2025 - Japan Women's Sake Awards - Gold Medal - Rich & Umami Category
Specifications
Class: Junmai
Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 68%
ABV: 15%
Size: 720ml, 300ml
Brewery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
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