Symbiotic Business Model: Watanabe Shuzo's 'Iyasa no Sake Kotobuki' Junmai Daiginjo Made from 40% Polished Edible Rice

Overview Featured on radio as 'tasting like white wine,' Watanabe Shuzo's 'Iyasa no Sake Kotobuki' is gaining attention for challenging the conventions of premium sake production. Unlike standard premium sake that uses specialized sake rice, this brand uses edible table rice polished to Junmai Daiginjo standards. Tasters have praised it for its surprising fruitiness, proximity to white wine, and refreshing character.

Vision for the Future of Agriculture Watanabe Shuzo believes that preserving sake culture requires rethinking not just brewing, but rice cultivation itself. Facing structural issues in agriculture such as extreme weather, an aging workforce, and rising fertilizer costs, the company asked: 'Why must we use only specialized sake rice? If rice is delicious to eat, shouldn't it be delicious to drink?' This question sparked their latest innovation.

Challenging 40% Polishing of Edible Rice They chose the 'Nikomaru' edible rice variety, known for its heat resistance and strong sweetness. While typically milled to 92%, they polished it to 40%. Because table rice grains are smaller and prone to breaking during milling, the company spent eight months collaborating with milling companies and master brewers to achieve successful productization.

A Circular Value System This project aims beyond simple product development to secure the future of agriculture. Contracted farmers expressed amazement that their rice could produce such high-grade sake. The potential of the rice they grew returned to them as surprise from consumers, forming the project's envisioned cycle of value.

The Symbiotic Management Model Instead of mass-market volume, Watanabe Shuzo aims to be a brand chosen for life's milestones. They intend to share this model—inspired by the Omi merchant principle of 'three-way satisfaction' (good for the farmer, the brewer, and the drinker)—with other like-minded breweries, producers, and distributors to scale the impact.

Product Summary - Product Name: Junmai Daiginjo 'Iyasa no Sake Kotobuki' - Ingredients: 100% Edible 'Nikomaru' Rice / 100% 'Yamada Nishiki' Sake Rice - Polishing Ratio: 40% for both - Price: 10,000 yen per bottle - Production: Limited to 10,000 bottles annually (includes serial number)