How many Sake breweries are there?

According to Japan’s National Tax Agency, there were 1716 Sake breweries in 2011, 1251 of which made Japanese ‘Sake’ (while others made cooking Sake, etc.). The number has dropped over the past 30 years, from 2507 in 1984 when clean, dry Sake was at its height.Next, let’s take a look at the brands.

How many brands are there?

Those 1251 Sake breweries make about 40,000 to 50,000 Sake brands. They amount to 445, 716 kl in 2011. Sake in Sake Special Category such as Ginjo, Junmai, Honjo-zo, etc. amount to 149, 848 kl.

Which type is made the most?

The numbers of Sake breweries making different types of Sake are:

Junmai Ginjo (純米吟醸): 1082

Junmai (純米): 1054

Ginjo (吟醸): 942

Honjo-zo (本醸造): 920

Source: National Tax Agency, 2011

Is Sake on the decline?

Sake has been on the decline over the past 30 years. Almost 800 Sake breweries have left the market. To our relief, Sake production has increased slightly since 2009. We hope that more and more Sake breweries will make great Sake, thus our mission is to share the beauty of Sake to as many people as possible!