Skip to content

Junmai & Honjozo

These dependable categories of sake are the workhorses of the sake world. 

The Junmai category is historically the “way sake was.” These brews can have their rice milled to many different levels from 80% with 20% removal to 65% with 35% removal as long as the milling percentages are on the label. The old norm was Junmai sake had to be milled to at least 70% remaining and 30% removed, but this is no longer the case.  The result is that some Junmai can drink very rich and full-bodied, and some drink lighter and more elegant. Just remember that Junmai also means “rice and water only,” and it’s a great center of the plate food pairing sake that is perfect for most cuisines from salty and savory to rich and robust, fried and grilled to baked and steamed, and from spicy to complex. Good for chilled, room temperature, warming and heating. 

Honjozo sake has the same rice milling standard that Junmai sake used to have 70% remaining and 30% removal.  The difference with Honjozo is that the makers add a little “brewer’s alcohol” to lighten the sake and clean things up. Honjozo sake is not fortified sake – it is not made stronger by the added alcohol – in fact it makes a sake lighter and more refreshing. This category of sake is perfect for easy drinking and easy food pairings.  Good for chilled, room temperature, warming and heating.

  •
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00

    Gakki Masamune Honjozo Nakadori "Sacred Offering"

    beautifully complex, juicy, rich.
    In stock

    The nose on this stunning Honjozo sake is a vast collection of orange creamsicle, blueberry, watermelon, Rice Krispies Treats®, peach, banana bread...

    View full details
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
  • Sold out
    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00
    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00

    Koimari Cup Sake Junmai "Nomanne"

    beautiful ceramic keepsake.
    Out of stock

    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00
    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00
    Sold out
  • Sold out
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00

    Senkin Organic Kimoto Kioke Junmai 2023 "Nature"

    wild yeast, technical, amazing.
    Out of stock

    *New 2023 bottling! Our stock photo needs updating. -Chris The nose on this organic traditionally made wood vat or “Kioke” sake is an outstanding c...

    View full details
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    Sold out
  • $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00

    Tenbi Tokubetsu Junmai

    expressive, zesty, pear.
    In stock

    The nose on this very popular "new world" Junmai is a clever collection of cherry, kiwi, young melon, raisin, cotton, cucumber, and steamed rice ar...

    View full details
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
  • $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00

    Sohomare Tokubetsu Kimoto Junmai "Heart and Soul"

    cereal, roasted grains, elegant.
    In stock

    The nose on this traditionally made special brew is a gentle collection of toasted rice, wheat, nutty, earthy, cereal, vanilla, and lemon peel arom...

    View full details
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
  • $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00

    Gakki Masamune Junmai "Junjo"

    66%, bright, great with yakitori.
    In stock

    The nose on this extremely hard to get Junmai has a vivid collection of melon, Asian pear, grape, apricot, blueberry, and cantaloupe aromas. Are yo...

    View full details
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
  • Sold out
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00

    Izumibashi Megumi Junmai Genshu "Red Label"

    dry, acidity, creamy.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this undiluted “cask strength” Genshu sake is an interesting collection of woody, musky, cheesy, earthy, nutty, soy sauce, and mint aro...

    View full details
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    Sold out
  • Sold out
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00

    Kumaya Shuzo AN "Bizen Omachi"

    round, cinnamon cereal, power.
    Out of stock

    "Best to consume in 1-2 days max after opening." -Chris The nose on this sake that is made with the Omachi rice varietal is a very cool collection...

    View full details
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    $40.00 - $40.00
    $40.00
    Sold out
  • $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00

    Chitose Tsuru Junmai "Ginpu"

    semi-dry, pomelo, minerals.
    In stock

    The nose on this slick Junmai is a gentle collection of cream, powdered sugar, snowmelt, sourdough, sesame seeds, sugar cookie, and rice cracker ar...

    View full details
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
  • $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00

    Hojo Biden Yamahai Junmai "Pastoral Beauty"

    brown sugar, burnt vanilla, silky.
    In stock

    The nose on this Yamahai sake made with Yamadanishiki brewing rice is a wicked collection of butter, honey nuts, forest floor, grains, and fig arom...

    View full details
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
  • Sold out
    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00
    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00

    Kiuchi Kikusakari Junmai "Tarusake"

    elegant, woody, impressive.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this sake that was made using cedar barrels from Akita Prefecture is a gentle collection of cedar, cream, and steamed rice aromas. When...

    View full details
    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00
    $30.00 - $30.00
    $30.00
    Sold out
  • $42.00 - $42.00
    $42.00
    $42.00 - $42.00
    $42.00

    Heiwa Shuzo KID Junmai "Agara 80"

    elegant, ricey, intriguing.
    In stock

    The nose on this special and very “locals only” Junmai is a cool collection of apple, vanilla, raisin, seawater, cooked pear, grapefruit, and lemon...

    View full details
    $42.00 - $42.00
    $42.00
    $42.00 - $42.00
    $42.00
  • $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00

    Toyonoaki Junmai "Karakuchi Kingoro"

    shibumi, steamed rice, dry.
    In stock

    The nose on this dry guy from Shimane has an interesting collection of steamed rice, crushed leaves, rice crackers, and banana bread aromas. Ok, so...

    View full details
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
  • Sold out
    $46.00 - $46.00
    $46.00
    $46.00 - $46.00
    $46.00

    Tsukinoi Nanotsuki 80 Junmai "The Moon's Well"

    organic, ricey, dry.
    Out of stock

    This brewery loves their own estate grown rice so much they put rice grains under the label to prove their fascination. The nose on this JSA certif...

    View full details
    $46.00 - $46.00
    $46.00
    $46.00 - $46.00
    $46.00
    Sold out
  • $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00

    Isojiman Honjozo "Pride of the Seashore"

    if you know, you know.
    In stock

    The nose on this Honjozo made with spring water from the Minami Alps, is a solid collection of mineral, cherry, peach, grapefruit, green bamboo, an...

    View full details
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
  • $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00

    Hiraizumi Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai "Splashing Spring Water"

    lemon custard, crisp, creamy.
    In stock

    The nose on this traditionally made sake from a brewery that was founded in 1487 is a slick collection of pralines 'n cream, lemon tea, crème brûlé...

    View full details
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
  • $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00

    Shimeharitsuru Tsuki Honjozo

    dry, subtle, brilliant.
    In stock

    The nose on this extremely cool Niigata-loved sake is a gentle collection of steamed rice, vanilla, mint, hay, toast, and nougat aromas. Stop the p...

    View full details
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
    $31.00 - $31.00
    $31.00
  • $54.00 - $54.00
    $54.00
    $54.00 - $54.00
    $54.00

    Tsuchida Kimoto Junmai 90 "Shin"

    acidity, complex, umami.
    In stock

    The nose on this sake pays homage to brewing techniques from the 1600’s is a wild collection of apple cider, natto, maple syrup, candied cherries, ...

    View full details
    $54.00 - $54.00
    $54.00
    $54.00 - $54.00
    $54.00
  • Sold out
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00

    Hatsusakura Junmai Kimoto "Taro"

    green apple, brioche, nougat.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this traditionally made (pole-rammed) brew is a great collection of apple, sweet potato, mochi, steamed rice, lemon tart, Muscat grape,...

    View full details
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    $39.00 - $39.00
    $39.00
    Sold out
  • $37.00 - $37.00
    $37.00
    $37.00 - $37.00
    $37.00

    Gokyo Kimoto Junmai "Kioke Zukuri"

    woody, apple pie, raisins.
    In stock

    The nose on this traditionally-made sake is a vast collection of black cherry, vanilla, cedar, spices, corn, graham cracker, and honey aromas. Typi...

    View full details
    $37.00 - $37.00
    $37.00
    $37.00 - $37.00
    $37.00
  • Save 20% Save %
    $26.00
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
    $20.80
    $20.80 - $20.80
    $20.80

    Kagatobi Organic Junmai

    certified organic in japan, usa, and eu.
    In stock

    From the distributor Wismettac fka Nishimoto: This organic Junmai sake is certified under the organic system of Japan, the United States, and the E...

    View full details
    $26.00
    $26.00 - $26.00
    $26.00
    $20.80
    $20.80 - $20.80
    $20.80
    Save 20% Save %
  • Sold out
    $50.00 - $50.00
    $50.00
    $50.00 - $50.00
    $50.00

    Matsunotsukasa Kimoto Junmai "Kame Clay Vessel 2022"

    rare and/or limited.
    Out of stock

    There's not a lot of this in the United States. If you were even the least bit curious, I'd snag this now before it's too late. -Chris

    $50.00 - $50.00
    $50.00
    $50.00 - $50.00
    $50.00
    Sold out
  • Sold out
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00

    Akashi-Tai Honjozo "Kuro"

    rice candy, cocoa, maple syrup.
    Out of stock

    The nose on this Hyogo Honjozo is a generous collection of cocoa, oatmeal, butter, steamed rice, cream, and hot chocolate aromas. Talk about a smoo...

    View full details
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
    $32.00 - $32.00
    $32.00
    Sold out
  • $29.00 - $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    $29.00

    Azumaichi Junmai "Eastern Legend"

    rich, dry, vegetal.
    In stock

    The nose on this Junmai with Yamadanishiki milled to 64% is a unique collection of apple, celery, pear, custard, daikon, mint, oatmeal, and herbal...

    View full details
    $29.00 - $29.00
    $29.00
    $29.00 - $29.00
    $29.00