Takara Shuzo's "Takara CRAFT
About Takara CRAFT
"Takara CRAFT
The chuhai pairs well with Hokkaido soul food such as robata-yaki (open-hearth grilling) and Jingisukan (grilled mutton), complementing the richness and umami of the food while keeping the aftertaste light, making it easy to enjoy alongside a meal.
By limiting sales to Hokkaido, the product is designed around the region's own food culture and tastes, supporting local production for local consumption. Packaged in a craft-style bottle and sold only within Hokkaido, it has been a popular souvenir choice since its release in 2019.
Judges' Comments
The judging panel praised the label for being easy to read, with a design that conveys the product intuitively. They highlighted the fragrant aroma characteristic of the Niagara grape variety and a clean, not-too-sweet taste that pairs easily with food. Its easy-drinking character was seen as appealing to a wide range of people, and the panel noted a good balance between price and quality, calling it a craft chuhai that captures a sense of Hokkaido and suits souvenir-giving.
Product Overview
- Item: Liqueur (sparkling)
- Alcohol content: 8%
- Fruit juice content: 3%
- Volume / Container: 330 ml / bottle
- Packing: 12 bottles per box
- Reference retail price (excl. tax): ¥338
- Sales area: Hokkaido only
About the "Takara CRAFT" Series
Before "Takara CRAFT," Takara Shuzo sold chuhai made with domestic fruit as "period-limited, nationwide" products. While featuring regional fruits nationwide helped raise recognition and build the brand, it also surfaced challenges: after two to three years, limited-edition items lost their novelty and had to be replaced, and because they were available everywhere but only for a short time, they were hard to treat as a true local souvenir.
Company employees who visited the production areas themselves also saw challenges facing the regions: fruit that could not be sold as fresh produce often had to be discarded, aging producers and a shortage of successors were serious concerns, and local fruits could not be promoted to tourists outside of the harvest season.
To address these issues and build a sustainable business model that supports ongoing regional revitalization, "Takara CRAFT" launched in 2017. The series is region-limited and sold year-round, with the aim of helping local residents get to know the fruits grown in their own area and raising their profile and value. Matching the flavor to local dishes also encourages local restaurants and retailers to carry it, lifting the wider production area. Because many of these regions face a shortage of hands at harvest time due to aging producers, employees continue to visit the growing areas to help with the harvest.
The "Takara CRAFT" brand currently features 45 items in its lineup (as of July 2026). Learn more on the brand site:
https://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/products/soft_alcohol/takara_craft/
