Takao no Tengu Junmai Ginjo

Takao no Tengu (高尾の天狗) is a limited-edition junmai ginjō made of different rice types (Miyamanishiki, Gohyakumangoku, etc.) and Hachiōji Takatsuki Kinuhikari rice produced by farmers from Hachiōji. The words "Takao no Tengu" on the label were designed by the 32nd head of Takaosan Yakuoin Temple (髙尾山 薬王院 有喜寺), Ōyama Ryūgen (大山隆玄). The Tengu and the fan are from an illustration on display at the Yakuoin. In 2014, the "Hachi-Project&TOKYO (Hachipro はちぷろ)" was launched to revitalise Hachiōji through brewing sake. Hachipro brings together farmers, sake brewers and retailers in Hachioji to let the public experience the whole process from rice production to sake production and bring together restaurants, retailers and the public.

Takao no Tengu has a full aroma and a soft, crisp rice taste. It is the perfect sake to accompany all dishes and to complement them. It is best served chilled or lukewarm.







In the autumn, the brewery releases a hiyaoroshi version of its Takao no Tengu. Hiyaoroshi (冷やおろし) is brewed in early spring and stored during summer; around September, the sake is ready for consumption without pasteurisation; it has a deep-matured aroma and is sold only in September and October as a seasonal sake of limited production. Takao no Tengu Hiyaoroshi develops its flavour over the summer and has a mild aroma and a full flavour.

Maihime Sake Brewery is located in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture. Along Kōshū Kaidō (甲州街道) in Suwa, five sake breweries stand side by side over a distance of just 500 metres. Each brewery uses the same subterranean water from the Kirikamine mountains for its brewing water, but each has its unique character. The five breweries have come to be known as the "Five Suwa Breweries" (諏訪五蔵 Suwa gozō). Maihime, one of the five Suwa breweries, started brewing sake in Suwa in 1894.