Takazo Distillery

History

The company behind Meiri Shurui was founded as Kato Shuzojo and grew through capital participation from sake distillers in the Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures. It was established in September 1950 (Showa 25) and has since developed into a broadly operating alcohol producer. Today Meiri Shurui is described as a technically advanced producer of fermentation products, manufacturing alcoholic products such as sake, shochu, and fermented flavorings.

Over the years the company has developed signature yeast strains, including Meiri Ogawa yeast (明利小川酵母) which is officially registered as SAKE yeast (No. 10) and M310 yeast – two different yeast strains that have had a significant impact on the production of high-end sake and the character of aromas and acidity.

A central project has been the Snowflake Lami’s sake-making project (雪花ラミィの日本酒づくりプロジェクト), which is in its fifth season during this period. The project focuses on conveying the art of sake to the world and includes development of various models of 雪夜月, including both classic and award-winning variants at the IWC World Spirits Competitions in 2022 and 2023.

Production/Manufacture

Production follows the basic ingredients for sake: rice, water, koji, and yeast. Fermentation proceeds via a process that includes moromi (mash) and subsequent addition of water and rice to intermediate moromi for maturation, after which it is pressed and the remaining solids undergo further processing. Specific characteristics in their sake-producing framework include the use of two important yeast strains – 明利小川酵母 and M310 – which give certain aromas (e.g. ethyl caproate and other volatiles) as well as a balance between acidity and sweetness. The description also highlights that yeast selection and the type of rice used (for example, Yamada-nishiki vs. Gohyakumangoku (五百万石)) are designed from the ground up and tailored to the purpose.

Products/Series

• Snow Night Moon series (雪夜月)

• Sparkling Snow Night Moon (13% alc, 720ml): a lightly sparkling sake with a sweet-tart profile, designed as an entry-level model without losing the Japanese sake character. Price 6,300 yen; availability varies over time.

• Daiginjo Snow Night Moon (17% alc, 720ml): a cornerstone sake in the Snow Moon series with a fruity aroma and a balanced sweet/spicy profile.

• Junmai Daiginjo Snow Night Moon Favorite Model (17% alc, 720ml): favorite model, where flavor is analyzed according to Lami’s preference.

• Junmai Daiginjo Snow Night Moon Favorite Celebration Model (17% alc, 720ml): special model for celebrating a prize (IWC Bronze) in Season 4/2022–2023.

• Snow Night Moon 720 2024: newly developed version of Snow Moon with IWC Bronze medal justification in 2023 for the Favorite Model and customization in 2024.

• Isoran Junmai Daiginjo (15% alc, 720ml): Taiwan-Japan collaboration brand with Chinglan Gong and We’s Star, uses Meiri Ogawa yeast and the rice types Gohyakumangoku/Isoran. Price 3,500 yen. Delivery planned for 2026.

• Liqueur and sweet/spice products

• Sake Matcha (20% alc, 500ml): Matcha liqueur made with Tenkuu no Matcha; recommended to enjoy as a milk-based matcha latte or as a dessert topping.

• Spicy Lemon Pepper (20% alc, 500ml): chilies and lemon as a spicy liqueur; recommended to mix with soda, and also suitable as a flavoring for dishes such as meat and dumplings.

• Taiyaki Liqueur (500ml): sweet-sweet liqueur based on anko and peeled dough; recommended neat, on the rocks, or in milk-based drinks.

• Yakiimo Liqueur (20% alc, 500ml): sweet potato flavor with honey; varies with how it’s mixed with milk/ice or used as dessert garnish.

• The four liqueurs are priced around 1,408 yen per 500ml.

• NOEL’S GIN TONIC: NOEL’S GIN TONIC (ALC 5%, 350ml x 8): premium craft gin ‘Noel’s Potion’ in a canned version, produced in collaboration with VTuber Shirogane Noel. Price 5,500 yen (pack). Delivery may occur. Uses kabosu juice from Ōita Prefecture in gin-tonics.

• Non-alcoholic Hyaku-nen Rei-ZERO- (0% alc, 500ml): non-alcoholic version of the prize-winning Hyakunen Umeshu (Year-long Plum Wine)

• Hon-kaku Umeshu Hyakunen Umeshu (14% alc, 720ml): home-made Japanese ume-shu based on ume fruit and noble honey and cognac; highlighted for winning at Osaka Temman Meishu Taikai.

• Hon-kaku Imo Shochu Manyuki (漫遊記) (alc. 25%, 720ml): traditional imo shochu made with Satsuma-imo using a particular distillation method.

• Junmai Ginjo Fukushōgun (720ml): sake made solely from rice, with careful aroma and mouthfeel.

• IWC Bronze medal-winners (Snow Moon series and related variants) are described as part of the product family and naming for the 2022-2023 season, with reference to tasting notes and the selected yeast strains.

• Notable statistics: IWC Bronze medal inspiration and designation of central variants as part of the Lami’s sake project.

Visits/Experiences

-Betsu Shunkan (別春館) is a museum/exhibition space for ume-shu and traditions of sake production. It opens as an in-house icon for visitors, and is part of Meiri Shurui’s cultural heritage and exhibition area to showcase traditional sake production and ume-shu. A visit here is part of the company’s culture and experiential offerings.

Philosophy

• The aim is to communicate the appealing nature of sake to the world through the Snow Moon series and other projects; the Lami’s project (雪花ラミィの日本酒づくりプロジェクト) shows a dedication to designing the entire process—from raw materials to alcohol content—and to gaining recognition on the world stage (IWC Bronze in 2022 and 2023).

• The company claims that sake can be accessible while preserving its traditional Japanese character through a balance between the authentic feel of sake and drinkability for entry-level consumers.

• Yeast and malted rice (明利小川酵母 and M310) are central to flavor and aroma development, and the company describes a history of developing its own yeast strains and using them broadly in sake production. Specific stories about historical figures and cultural heritage (e.g., Dr. 小川知可良博士) are also mentioned as part of the company’s background and values.

Products (Summary)

• Snow Moon series: Sparkling Snow Night Moon; Daiginjo Snow Night Moon; Junmai Daiginjo Snow Night Moon Favorite Model; Junmai Daiginjo Snow Night Moon Favorite Celebration Model; 2024-version of Snow Night Moon.

• Isoran Junmai Daiginjo: Taiwan/Japan collaboration under We’s Star program and Taiwan’s 鎮瀾宮, with 15% alc and 720ml for Isoran.

• Liqueur series: Matcha, Chili Lemon, Taiyaki, Yakiimo, with variants at 20% alc and 500ml; serving suggestions for mixing and use.

• NOEL’S GIN TONIC: 5% gin-tonic in cans, 350ml x 8, with collaboration with Hololive's Shirogane Noel.

• Non-alcohol Hyaku-nen Rei-ZERO: 0% alcohol source, 500ml.

• Hyakunen Umeshu: 14% alc, 720ml; price 1,682 yen.

• Manyuki Imo Shochu: 25% alc, 720ml; price 1,167.

• Junmai Ginjo Fukushōgun: 720ml; price 1,430.

• Snow Night Moon series in 2024/2023: characterized by Bronze medals (IWC 2022, 2023) and related sections and descriptions of flavor characteristics.

Status and Availability

• The products are listed in Meiri Shurui’s online shop, with specified stock and delivery times; some products are temporarily out of stock or slated for launches (e.g., Isoran in 2026). The overall company appears active and continues to offer a wide range of sake and liqueur products via online sales.