Matsumidori Shuzō
Rokkon Junmai Ginjo Senken
Alcoholic
Beverages
Rokkon Junmai Ginjo Senken is a cloudy sake (nigori) produced by Matsumidori Shuzō in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
It is made from Akita Sake Komachi rice, polished to 60% of its original grain weight, rice kōji, and water, without added distilled alcohol. It contains 16% alcohol, while fine rice particles remaining in the sake give it its characteristic cloudy appearance.
It features a pronounced, elegant aroma, gentle sweetness, moderate umami, and lively acidity, with a soft, silky mouthfeel. It can be served lightly chilled, at approximately 10–15 °C, or at room temperature. It pairs well with simmered root vegetables and pot-au-feu, a French dish of meat and vegetables gently cooked in broth.
Producer
Matsumidori Shuzō is a Japanese sake brewery in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, producing sake since 1904. Its brands include Matsumidori, Rokkon, Reiho, and Deka.
The brewery’s roots date back to the Edo period, when it produced shubo - a fermentation starter supplied to other sake brewers in the Tsugaru region. As breweries began preparing their own starters, the company shifted to sake production. Today, it uses soft underground water from Mount Iwaki and carefully selected rice from Aomori and other regions of Japan.
Production relies on manual work, traditional rice steaming, and close monitoring of kōji preparation and fermentation. Since 2016, the brewery has produced only sake without added distilled alcohol. That same year, it became the first brewery in Aomori to obtain kosher certification.
Matsumidori and Reiho maintain close ties with local consumers in Tsugaru, while the Rokkon range provides scope for exploring new expressions of sake. The brewery’s long-term vision centers on preserving traditional knowledge, local ingredients, and quality, ensuring that its sake remains a distinctive part of Hirosaki in the years ahead.