Fukushima tops the National New Sake Appraisal gold medal table for a second year running

217 gold medals, and Fukushima is sole leader for the first time in four years

The results of the National New Sake Appraisal were announced on 20 May 2026. The event is organised by the National Research Institute of Brewing, the state body for alcoholic-drinks research, and the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, the industry body. This year’s entries were new sakes brewed in the Reiwa 7 brewing year (the brewing season that began in July 2025). Of 793 entries, 411 won awards, and from these 217 outstanding sakes were chosen for gold medals. That is up from 202 gold medals the previous year.

By prefecture, Fukushima came first with 20 gold medals. This is its second consecutive year at the top and its first time as sole leader in four years. Niigata and Nagano shared second place with 16 each, Hyogo was fourth with 14, and Yamagata fifth with 12. Akita followed with 9, Aichi with 8, and Gunma, Saitama, Mie, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi with 7 each. Hyogo, Japan’s largest sake-producing region, came fourth this time.

A contest of brewing skill since 1911

The appraisal has been held since 1911. It is among the largest sake contests held on a national scale, and its aim is to raise the skill and quality of sake brewing. Entries are mainly daiginjo and junmai daiginjo. Daiginjo is sake brewed from rice polished from the outside down to 50% or less of its original weight, and it is known for a showy, fruit-like aroma. For a brewery, a gold medal is an important measure of that year’s technical skill.

Fukushima has a track record of holding first place in gold medal count for nine years in a row from the 2012 brewing year. One of the breweries that contributed to that record is Matsuzaki Shuzo in Tenei Village (brand: Hirotogawa). Its owner and toji (head brewer), Yuko Matsuzaki, has repeatedly won gold with the local sake rice Yume no Kaori. This year’s result again shows the high technical level of the prefecture as a whole.

How to enjoy it in Europe

If you are looking for these sakes in Europe, the daiginjo from top-ranked prefectures such as Fukushima, Niigata, Nagano and Yamagata are a good place to start. The importer’s description or the back label may say “gold medal brewery”. Bear in mind, however, that the award is for the single entry submitted that year. A brewery’s commercial bottles will not necessarily taste the same. Serve it chilled to around 10°C in a wine glass, which lets the aroma open up. It pairs well with white fish, shellfish and lightly salted starters. Tasting daiginjo from several prefectures side by side makes the differences in aroma and mouthfeel from one region to another easier to notice.