A unique craft sake featuring four native Japanese plants will launch nationwide on September 2, 2025. The product, called "Hoori" (火折), represents a collaboration between Ine to Agave, a craft sake brewery based in Oga, Akita Prefecture, and the Japan Flora Research Institute, which researches innovative applications for native plants.
The product is available through retailers nationwide and online: https://shop.inetoagave.com/products/%E7%81%AB%E6%8A%98
Collaboration with Mountain Plant Researchers
Ine to Agave partnered with the Japan Flora Research Institute after discovering their work on utilizing Japan's underexplored plant resources. The institute conducts research in mountainous regions, identifying native plants with potential as food ingredients and flavor enhancers.
The collaboration emerged from shared interest in Japan's natural resources that remain largely untapped. Through this partnership, Ine to Agave gained deeper insights into Japan's mountain ecosystems and their potential applications in craft brewing.
Four Mountain Plants Create Unique Flavor Profile
"Hoori" combines traditional rice and koji with four native Japanese plants collected by the Japan Flora Research Institute. Each plant contributes distinct aromatic characteristics:
Lindera (Fruit)
Provides refreshing, cooling fragrance similar to lemongrass.
Japanese Torreya (Branches and Leaves)
Contributes fresh, deep citrus notes reminiscent of grapefruit.
Mugwort (Flowers)
Adds complex, sophisticated herbal aromatics.
Sakhalin Spruce (New Shoots)
Brings woody, seasonal nuances from shoots harvested only at specific times.
The fermentation process harmonizes these botanical elements with traditional sake ingredients, creating layered aromatics that evoke walking through Japanese mountain forests.
Product Details
Product Name: Hoori (火折)
Launch Date: September 2, 2025
Price: ¥3,500 (excluding tax)
Volume: 720ml
Ingredients: Rice (domestic), rice koji (domestic rice), Lindera fruit, Japanese Torreya branches and leaves, mugwort flowers, Sakhalin spruce new shoots
Availability: Sake retailers nationwide and online
About the Partners
Japan Flora Research Institute focuses on utilizing plant resources from Japan's mountains, working to transform underutilized native plants into valuable food ingredients and flavorings. The institute aims to support regional economic development and sustainable food systems through plant research.
- Website: https://nihonkusakilab.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nihonkusaki_lab/
Ine to Agave operates as both a craft sake brewery and community development initiative in Oga City, Akita Prefecture. Founded in 2021, the company creates craft sake using traditional Japanese brewing techniques combined with innovative ingredients. Beyond brewing, the company has expanded into hospitality, food processing, and community spaces, including hotels, restaurants, and distillery operations.
- Website: https://inetoagave.com/
- Location: Oga City, Akita Prefecture
- Established: March 2021
