# The Japanese Sake That Dreamed of France: The Story of Urakasumi ‘Zen’

By profession, I work at a Japanese sake retail shop in Osaka, navigating the rich world of flavors and traditions every day. Naturally, my expertise comes not just from study, but from a genuine love for drinking it. While I enjoy almost every traditional Japanese alcohol, shochu is the one exception I struggle with — simply because I find it lacks that rich, savory ‘umami’ flavor I crave. But setting my personal preferences aside, today I want to introduce one of my absolute favorite sake labels: Urakasumi ‘Zen’ Junmai Ginjo.

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### A 300-Year-Old Brewery and the Resilience of Tohoku

This exceptional sake hails from Miyagi Prefecture in Tohoku, the northeastern region of Japan. Brewed by a legendary sake house with over 300 years of history, it is a deeply respected household name. Sadly, I haven’t had the chance to visit the brewery myself yet.

Like many in the region, they suffered devastating damage during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, but they overcame that immense hardship and continue to brew beautiful sake to this day.

[Bottle of Urakasumi Zen]

### The Rules Broke for a French Dream

‘Zen’ was one of the very first bottles I discovered when I started learning about sake. Featuring a charming and somewhat adorable character on the label, it has been loved by fans for over 50 years since its release.

Interestingly, it is only sold in small bottles (720ml). Decades ago, due to distribution efficiency, nearly all sake in Japan was sold in massive 1.8-liter bottles known as Isshobon. While selling premium sake exclusively in smaller bottles is a common marketing strategy today, it was unheard of 50 years ago.

There is a fascinating history behind this decision: ‘Zen’ was originally crafted specifically for export to France. Ultimately, because exporting sake was extremely rare at the time and navigating foreign customs proved too difficult, the plan fell through. Yet, the innovative spirit of that original French dream lives on, and the brewery has lovingly continued to produce ‘Zen’ ever since.

[Close-up of the Label]

Flavor Profile & The Art of Local Pairings

In terms of flavor profile, ‘Zen’ falls into the Tanrei Karakuchi category — meaning it is beautifully crisp, clean, and dry. However, beneath that clean finish, you can still distinctly taste a delicate sweetness and rich umami. It pairs flawlessly with light, subtle dishes, and its compatibility with fresh fish is absolutely outstanding.

At its core, traditional Jizake (regional craft sake) is brewed by local people, tailored to perfectly complement the local palate and culinary culture. Nowadays, you can order almost any bottle from anywhere in the world. However, if you ever have the chance to visit Miyagi, experiencing this sake alongside the local cuisine will give you a much deeper appreciation for the craft.

Urakasumi offers a wonderful range, from highly affordable everyday bottles to luxurious, premium expressions. I highly encourage you to explore their lineup and find your favorite!

[Urakasumi Lineup / Variations]