Beyond Junmai and Honjozo: 4 Unique Types of Sake You Should Know

You’ve heard of Junmai, Ginjo, and maybe even Daiginjo — but did you know there’s a whole other world of sake styles out there?

Today, let’s explore 4 “other” types of sake that don’t always fit into the main categories, but are just as fascinating (and delicious)!

Futsūshu (普通酒) – The “Table Sake”

Futsūshu literally means “ordinary sake.”
It doesn’t meet the standards for Tokutei Meishō-shu (special designation sake) like Junmai or Honjozo, but don’t underestimate it!

 Key Features:

• Made with fewer restrictions (no strict rice polishing requirement)

• Often includes more added alcohol or other ingredients

• Affordable and widely available

Think of it like the “house wine” of sake — everyday, easy to drink, and perfect with a casual meal.

Namazake (生酒) – Fresh, Unpasteurized Sake

Namazake is sake that hasn’t been pasteurized (called hiire in Japanese).
Most sake is heat-treated twice to stabilize it, but namazake skips that step — and the result is super fresh!

Key Features:

• Bright, lively, sometimes slightly fizzy

• Must be kept refrigerated

• Best enjoyed young (within a few months of bottling)

It’s like the fresh-squeezed juice of the sake world — vibrant and exciting!

Nigorizake (にごり酒) – Cloudy, Milky Sake

If you’ve seen white, milky-looking sake, you were probably looking at Nigorizake.
Unlike clear sake, this one is only lightly filtered, so some of the rice solids remain.

 Key Features:

• Thick, creamy texture

• Sweet and smooth flavor

• Often lightly sparkling (and sometimes a bit boozy!)

Nigori is fun, approachable, and great for people who are new to sake.

Kijoshu (貴醸酒) – Sweet and Luxurious

Kijoshu is a rare and special type of sake.
Instead of using just water during fermentation, some of the water is replaced with… sake!

 Key Features:

• Rich, dessert-like sweetness

• Thick mouthfeel, like a wine or sherry

• Pairs beautifully with cheese or desserts

Perfect for a special occasion — or when you want to impress someone with something unique.