Kamitsuru Sen Junmai Ginjō

Kamitsuru Sen Junmai Ginjō (神鶴 千 純米吟醸) is brewed with 100% Gohyakumangoku, a variety long cherished by brewers for its purity and balance. It reveals both the gentle sweetness and the mellow aroma of the grain. The use of underground water drawn from the clear Kiso River lends a clean, refined quality that enhances its smooth texture and clarity of taste. Crafted with two carefully selected yeasts, it weaves together the polished fragrance of Ginjo brewing with the depth and warmth of junmai character, leaving a fresh yet lingering finish. Served best slightly chilled, between 5 and 15°C, this sake complements an array of dishes—from sashimi and sushi to grilled or simmered fish, yakitori, tempura, and shabu-shabu. Even lighter pairings, such as edamame, chilled tofu, or cheese, find an elegant match in its clean aftertaste.

Its quality has been recognised internationally, winning the prestigious Platinum Award in the Junmai category at Kura Master 2020, a distinction that reflects the craftsmanship and heritage behind every bottle.

The roots of Tsurumi Shuzō date back to 1873, when its founder, Teizō Tsurumi, a dyer by trade, started sake-making. He chose Owari-Tsushima, a riverside town once nicknamed "Nobunaga's Kitchen" for its role as a bustling commercial hub, where the underground springs fed by the Kiso Three Rivers provided the pure, abundant water that became the soul of his sake. From the start, the brewery drew on Tsushima's long-established brewing traditions, while gradually adopting new methods to improve consistency and quality.

Over the course of its history, the brewery's brands have evolved with the times. What began under the name "Kamori-Tsuru" was later refined into "Shin-Tsuru." In recent years the portfolio expanded further with the introduction of premium labels such as Gazan and Sansō, which joined the flagship Kamitsuru in 2020. To sustain brewing throughout the year and meet contemporary standards, a new facility was completed in September 2022. Equipped with modern systems for temperature and quality control, it allows the brewery to maintain both precision and flexibility, without losing sight of the traditions handed down from its founder.

Recognition soon followed. In 2025, Gazan and Sansō both claimed gold medals at the Australian Sake Awards, while Gazan also secured silver at the renowned SAKE COMPETITION. The same year, Tsurumi Shuzō earned a place among the world's most respected producers, ranking seventeenth in the "World Sake Breweries Ranking"—a reflection of the steady excellence that has defined the brewery for a century and a half.