Norman

9.1

Tokyo Zakari Junmai Ginjo

Brewery: Koyama Honke Shuzo, Saitama, Japan
Classification: Junmai Ginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki 100%
Polishing: 60%
ABV: 15%
SMV: +1.5
Acidity: 1.5

Tokyo Zakari was originally created in the Taisho era with the name expressing hopes for Tokyo’s prosperity. Koyama Honke revived the brand in 2020. The brewery describes this Junmai Ginjo as combining the substantial umami of Yamada Nishiki with a fragrant, approachable profile and a balance intended to work well with food.

Pleasant and enjoyable, with good rice character, gentle sweetness and a smooth, easy-drinking profile. Liked it, but nothing exceptional or something I’d specifically seek out.

Tasted at Sake Day SF — 9/26/2026. Rating is limited since the same glass was reused throughout the tasting, making it difficult to get a truly clean tasting and accurate read on the aromas. — 2 days ago

Andrew C.

9.1

A nice and mineral start... The fruity tartness comes through in the end. — 11 years ago

Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

8.9

solid wine needing time — 12 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2022/5/6 with Japanese style bincho charcoal grilled ribeye with wasabi and shoyu, shishito peppers, bamboo shoots in dashi and rice with peas. I found this at a shop and the aging conditions seemed questionable, so I was prepared for whatever. Indeed, at first the nose seemed a little browned out, but the palate still had acidity and flesh - blueberry at first. With a couple of hours of air, though, the nose brightened up, with dark berries. There’s also green pepper and smoky herbs - an interesting angle on Japanese claret. — 4 years ago

Yuri

9.0

I found very nice non-smoking Yakitori-bar in Nishi-Koyama. We can enjoy craft beer and Nihonshu:-) — 10 years ago

Tim Sullivan

9.0

Fragile nose in the beginning, but boy is the body fun: fruity and light, rippling with red berries, currents and woody elements. The 2013 is fun and fresh, opening well after it breathes for a spell; might age for a few years and see what the result is. — 12 years ago

Ted

9.2

Upon opening the bottle there was lots of smoke. Kind of obnoxious. That goes away after half an hour and you really start to get that red cherry fruit. Light color with some cloudiness. It’s growing on me. — 5 years ago

with Jeni

Aki Ttr

9.2

Honey honey 🎶 — 8 years ago

Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

8.9

Revisited after several months (new bottle) and find it more engaging. my palate liked it more this time. rustic and #delectable — 11 years ago