Nagai Shuzo (Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture) ~ Crafting a New Gastronomic Dialogue Between Sake and Course Dining ~

■ After a decade of dedication, a sparkling sake emerges—celebrated by France’s most distinguished sommelier

Founded in 1886. This sake brewery continues to brew “beautiful sake that expresses natural beauty” in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, located at the source of the Tone River.

While preserving the tradition, Nagai Sake Brewery is also boldly challenging the creation of new values that have never been found before.

One of their challenges is sparkling sake.

They took ten years from conception and five years of prototyping to perfect the fine bubbles rivaling champagne, achieved through the same bottle fermentation method used for champagne. Born after 700 failed attempts, “MIZUBASHO PURE” won the top prize in the sparkling category at the 2020 Kura Master competition, judged by France's top sommeliers.

Xavier Thuizat, France's top sommelier, was deeply impressed by the purity and delicate flavor of MIZUBASHO PURE, along with its refreshingly crisp bubbles. He highly praised it as being of a quality that rivals champagne.

This company has also shown enthusiasm for aged sake and is vigorously pursuing research.
They spent 20 years exploring optimal temperature control, successfully achieving in their sake a deep, rich aroma, a full-bodied flavor, and a pleasant aftertaste cultivated through long-term aging.

■ “NAGAI STYLE” — Savoring Every Course with Sake, from Aperitif to Dessert

Nagai Sake Brewery unveiled “NAGAI STYLE” in 2014, aiming to challenge the global wine market by pairing sake with course meals in the same manner as wine.

NAGAI STYLE consists of four categories: starting with Sparkling Sake (MIZUBASHO PURE) for toasts, followed by Still Sake (MIZUBASHO) for appetizers through seafood dishes, Vintage Sake (MIZUBASHO VINTAGE) for main courses like meat dishes, and finally sweet Dessert Sake perfect for pairing with cheese or chocolate after the meal.

The style of pairing an entire dinner course exclusively with sake—from aperitif to after-dinner—was hailed as a groundbreaking first within the sake industry and generated widespread acclaim.

■ "SHINKA" — An Exclusive Retreat Offering Total Immersion into the World of Nagai Sake Brewery

Nagai Sake Brewery opened SHINKA, a new complex featuring a tasting room and brewing research facility, in August 2023.

The facility offers sake with unique value you can only experience here: sparkling sake adopted by high-end restaurants in Europe and America, “Lab SAKE” developed at their brewing research institute, and seasonal limited-edition brews. Here, you can explore the infinite possibilities of sake.

The spatial design was handled by Keiji Otaka, a sensory creator active in Japan and China. He used lighting to express Nagai Sake Brewery's future and worldview, capturing elements like the bubbles of sparkling sake, rice, and the brilliance of the sake itself.

The custom-made table crafted from mountain cherry wood, measuring approximately 5 meters in length, along with other furniture generously using wood, exudes warmth and provides a soothing atmosphere. Furthermore, the windows offer a panoramic view of the beautiful countryside. Savor the sake while immersing yourself in the world of Nagai Sake Brewery and the beautiful nature of Kawaba Village, its source—it is truly exceptional.

"SHINKA", created by Nagai Sake Brewery's sense of beauty and hospitality, is completely invitation-only.
For more information, please visit the official website.

[How to Apply for SHINKA]

• Limited one pair per day
• Please apply using the QR code printed on the invitation enclosed with designated aged sake such as the “2008 Aged Sake Series.” For purchase methods and other inquiries, please contact them.
• TEL (Japanese/English) 0278-52-2311
• Address: 713 Monzen, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture
• SHINKA Official Website (in Japanese):https://shinka-nagai.jp/

■ Recommended Items

MIZUBASHO PURE

This is the world's first authentic sparkling sake produced through bottle-fermented secondary fermentation. After a decade of conceptualization and over 700 failed attempts, it was perfected in 2008 and patented.
Characterized by an elegant aroma reminiscent of cherries and lychees, and a silky foam as delicate as a fairy's touch. This masterpiece astonished the world's top chefs, who hailed it as “a texture unlike any other.”

In 2020 and 2024, it won the top prize in the Kura Master Sake Sparkling category.
In 2023, it was also selected as the toast drink for the ministerial meetings at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

THE MIZUBASHO PURE 2008

This is a special sparkling sake aged since 2008, undergoing secondary fermentation in the bottle like champagne.
Through extended aging, the bubbles have become even finer, resulting in a complex and elegant flavor profile.
A truly one-of-a-kind vintage, created only by Nagai Sake Brewery—a master of vintage sake (aged sake) research spanning decades and holder of patented sparkling sake technology.
This exquisite piece is perfect for adorning your most precious moments.

THE MIZUBASHO Aged 17 Years Sake

This is a new style of aged sake, blended from sake brewed in 2002, 2004, and 2006 and aged at low temperatures.
The aroma offers a sweet, barrel-derived fragrance. The attack reveals a smooth texture, followed by clean acidity, balanced umami, and a mineral-driven finish with a hint of bitterness. Three distinct personalities were blended in an exquisite ratio, then aged in new French oak barrels at a controlled temperature of -3°C to -5°C.
Bring it to room temperature and pour it into a large wine glass to allow its aroma and flavor to fully develop.

Certified by the Toki SAKE Association, which aims to establish aged Japanese sake as a brand.

[Nagai Sake Brewery Company profile]

Address: 713 Monzen, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture
Access:
· About 30 minutes by car from JR Joetsu Line Jomo Kogen Station
· About 10 minutes by car from Kan-Etsu Expressway Numata Interchange
Phone number: 0278-52-2311
Official website:https://nagai-sake.co.jp/

* This article is machine translated from Japanese to other foreign languages