Sake

Seishu (sake) is a “brewed alcoholic beverage” made by fermenting rice.
Among them, only alcohol brewed in Japan using Japanese rice is called “nihonshu” (Japanese sake).
Seishu made with overseas rice, or seishu made overseas even if it uses Japanese rice, is not recognized as nihonshu (Japanese sake).

There are two types of nihonshu (Japanese sake): “tokutei meishoshu” and “futsushu.” Tokutei meishoshu is further divided into eight types, such as ginjo and daiginjo. “Futsushu” refers to nihonshu that does not fall under tokutei meishoshu.

Nihonshu flavors can be broadly categorized into “amakuchi,” which is smooth and full-bodied, and “karakuchi,” which is clean and dry.

All products clearly labeled “nihonshu” have an alcohol content under 22%, but in recent years, those around 15% have become the norm.