From Japan’s artisans to the U.S. market — BŌKEN Sake.
BŌKEN means “adventure” or “journey” in Japanese, and that is exactly what this line of artisanal sakes means to provide. BŌKEN partners exclusively with passionate, small-scale brewers from across northern and southern Japan. Many of these family-run breweries have operated for generations, in some cases for centuries, ensuring that every bottle reflects the depth, tradition, and artistry of Japanese sake culture.
BŌKEN Sake
These brewers have honed their craft over hundreds of years, using local ingredients and time-honored recipes to make each bottle an expression of the land, water, and craftsmanship behind it. Large-scale producers operate differently. They prioritize efficiency and consistency over individuality, sourcing ingredients from multiple regions and blending them in a single facility. As a result, mass-produced sake often loses the regional character that would otherwise make it unique. BŌKEN works with small brewers who take the opposite approach—and now, through BŌKEN, their sake is reaching enthusiasts around the world.
Terroir in Sake
The terroir of BŌKEN sake varies from brewer to brewer, reflecting unique combinations of soil, water, rice, and climate that shape production. Local water has a profound impact on taste, texture, and fermentation. Each brewery also has its own ambient yeast and microflora, which further influence the brewing process. Through the lens of terroir, every sake tells the story of the people, landscape, and culture that created it.
Hiraizumi Honpo
Hiraizumi Honpo, one of BŌKEN’s brewing partners, is the second-oldest sake brewery in Japan, with a history dating back more than 500 years. Its hallmark style, the Yamahai method, uses lactic acid for natural fermentation, creating remarkable depth and complexity. The brewery is located in the foothills of Mount Chokai in Akita Prefecture, where consistently cold temperatures provide ideal conditions for brewing.
BŌKEN NANA
BŌKEN No. 77
BŌKEN NIGORI
Takagi Shuzo
Ippo Takagi is a sixth-generation brewer who is shaping the brewery’s future while honoring its rich history. Ippo meticulously crafts sake with an approach that is grounded in tradition and guided by innovation. His vision, the ‘Tosa Experience Sake’, is a concept designed to showcase the unique characteristics of Kochi, where the brewery is located. Ippo does this through locally grown rice and region-specific yeast strains.
