Not to be confused with Yamaguchi’s Asahi Shuzo (Dassai) or Niigata’s Asahi Shuzo (Kubota). Small Murayama basin brewery focused on local market. Hakuryu (White Dragon) brand reflects the snowy landscape of interior Yamagata.

Located in Tendo city famous for shogi (Japanese chess) pieces. Small traditional brewery maintaining time-honored methods. Produces primarily for local Tendo and Yamagata city market.

Small Nagai area brewery in the Okitama region. Not connected to the Kojima Sokokichi Shoten Toko brand despite similar name. Produces straightforward honest sake for the local community.

Shonai coastal brewery in Sakata. Kinryu means Golden Dragon. Sakata was historically a major rice trading port on the Kitamaebune shipping route. The city’s prosperity from rice trade supported many sake breweries.

Kaminoyama area brewery at the foot of the Zao mountain range. Kaminoyama is known for its onsen (hot springs) and as a castle town. Zao Otokoyama brand connects to the famous Zao mountains with their snow monsters (juhyo).

Located in Yamagata city itself. Gassan brand named after the sacred Mt. Gassan of the Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage mountains. Historic brewery building is a registered cultural property. Also produces fruit liqueurs using Yamagata’s famous cherries.

Located in Shinjo in the Mogami area of northern Yamagata. Shinjo’s heavy snowfall and cold winters provide ideal natural refrigeration for sake brewing. Mogami Otokoyama brand references the Mogami River which defines this region.

Historic Shonai brewery dating to 1725. Koikawa means Carp River. Known for reviving the ancient Kamenoo rice variety for sake brewing. Part of the movement to preserve heritage rice varieties. The Shonai plain where it’s located is one of Japan’s great rice bowls.

Located in Tamura city in the Abukuma highlands between Nakadori and Hamadori. Produces clean sake reflecting the pure highland environment. Area was impacted by 2011 events but the brewery has persevered and continued production.

Not to be confused with the famous Daishichi in Nihonmatsu. This small Iwaki-based brewery produces sake primarily for the local Hamadori coastal community. Taiheiyo (Pacific Ocean) brand reflects its coastal location.