{"id":174761,"date":"2026-02-28T15:55:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T06:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allway-japan.com\/?post_type=specialpost&p=174761"},"modified":"2026-04-23T09:44:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:44:47","slug":"%e6%b0%b8%e4%ba%95%e9%85%92%e9%80%a0%e7%be%a4%e9%a6%ac%e7%9c%8c%e5%b7%9d%e5%a0%b4%e6%9d%91%ef%bd%9e%e6%97%a5%e6%9c%ac%e9%85%92%e3%81%a8%e3%82%b3%e3%83%bc%e3%82%b9%e6%96%99%e7%90%86%e3%81%ae%e3%83%9a","status":"publish","type":"specialpost","link":"https:\/\/www.allway-japan.com\/en\/specialpost\/174761\/","title":{"rendered":"Nagai Shuzo (Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture) ~ Crafting a New Gastronomic Dialogue Between Sake and Course Dining ~"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From the left: Director Vice President Matsumi Nagai and Representative Director Noriyoshi Nagai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0 After a decade of dedication, a sparkling sake emerges\u2014celebrated by France\u2019s most distinguished sommelier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Founded in 1886. This sake brewery continues to brew \u201cbeautiful sake that expresses natural beauty\u201d in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, located at the source of the Tone River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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, \u201cMIZUBASHO PURE\u201d won the top prize in the sparkling category at the 2020 Kura Master competition, judged by France's top sommeliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0 \u201cNAGAI STYLE\u201d \u2014 Savoring Every Course with Sake, from Aperitif to Dessert<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nagai Sake Brewery unveiled \u201cNAGAI STYLE\u201d in 2014, aiming to challenge the global wine market by pairing sake with course meals in the same manner as wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u2014from aperitif to after-dinner\u2014was hailed as a groundbreaking first within the sake industry and generated widespread acclaim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0 \"SHINKA\" \u2014 An Exclusive Retreat Offering Total Immersion into the World of Nagai Sake Brewery<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Nagai Sake Brewery opened SHINKA, a new complex featuring a tasting room and brewing research facility, in August 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facility offers sake with unique value you can only experience here: sparkling sake adopted by high-end restaurants in Europe and America, \u201cLab SAKE\u201d developed at their brewing research institute, and seasonal limited-edition brews. Here, you can explore the infinite possibilities of sake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u2014it is truly exceptional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

[How to Apply for SHINKA]<\/p>\n\n\n\n