Best Junmai Ginjo Sake: Reviews + Recommendations

For beginners yet to fully experience the art of sake-brewing, there's no better place to start than with the best junmai ginjo sake.

Attaining both the junmai and ginjo label at the same time isn't simple. To qualify, sake brewers must polish the rice down to 60% of the grain. This compares to just 70% for a non-ginjo junmai. Breweries also can't add any brewer's alcohol after fermentation.

The result is that the finest junmai ginjo sakes slot in among the top-rated sakes. They're especially good for newer sake drinkers who aren't ready to jump into more expensive premium junmai daiginjo sakes.

Not sure where to start looking? Excite your tastebuds some of these top-rated junmai ginjo sakes...

Top junmai ginjo sake recommendations

Kizakura Hana

Kizakura Hana

Crafted using a yeast strain extracted from cherry blossoms, Kizakura Hana releases a delicate floral scent. Its distinctive aroma places it among most unique of our top junmai ginjo sake picks.

The spring-like aromatics open up to a bloom of sweetness tipped with a hint of apple.

The light acidity and body make Kizakura Hana a fantastic easy-to-drink sake for beginners. It's especially superb when served chilled and paired with fish & seafood dishes.

Hakutsuru Junmai Ginjo

Hakutsuru

A floral and melon-like aroma introduces Hakutsuru Junmai Ginjo to the senses. It hints at the easy-sipping sake that follows.

This lighter-bodied sake is remarkably well-balanced, boasting a light-to-medium acidity. It piques a dry finish with flowery and grape-like undertones.

This Hakutsuru sake serves well both chilled and warmed. It also pairs wonderfully with sashimi, crab, and savory veggies.

Denshin Yuki

Denshin Yuki

Brewed in the shadows of Mount Haku in Fuki Prefecture, Denshin Yuki represents junmai ginjo sake at its purest.

Using the area's clean alpine run-off and local rice varieties, this sake goes down as smoothly as any.

This premium sake is one of the most well-balanced sakes out there. It features a slightly richer-than-normal body for a ginjo. You can also catch a mild sweetness with touches of mango & strawberry.

Denshin Yuku pairs superbly with savory shellfish, octopus, and squid dishes.

Kikusui Junmai Ginjo

Kikusui

Another well-balanced sake, Kikusui Junmai Ginjo charms sippers with its smooth and crisp finish.

The 55% rice-polishing ratio is shy of the super premium daiginjo status. But its silky & fresh medium body could trick you.

The flavors creep beyond the category's normally floral-forward notes. The tend towards more citrusy tastes like orange.

Thanks to a piquant dash of acidity, Kikusui serves well with most meat & seafood dishes.

Tozai Well of Wisdom

Tozai Well of Wisdom

For a toasty summer day, no junmai ginjo proves as refreshing as Tozai Well of Wisdom.

This sake is brewed with fresh local water in Fushimi near Kyoto, the cultural centre of Japan. It delights the palate with a splash of watermelon and raspberry topped with a slight white pepper finish.

Tozai Well of Wisdom leans more towards sweet than dry. Its mild acidity lets it pair wonderfully with foods like barbecued meat and ceviche.

Hakkaisan Yukimuro

Hakkaisan Yukimuro

Situated on the very edge of daiginjo territory, Hakkaisan Yukimuro is as premium a sake as you can find in its category.

On top of being a bonafide junmai ginjo, Hakkaisan Yukimuro qualifies as both koshu (aged 3+ years) and genshu (undiluted) sake. This drink is a special find.

This unique combo results in a sake that's more complex, richer, and stronger in alcohol content than most ginjos.

Its taste profile is creamy, much like you'd expect from a nigori sake, but with a medium, rather than full, body.

You'll also detect fruit-like flavors lingering about, particularly pear in the finish.

Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo

Momokawa Organic

Sitting among the best organic sake, Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo is a refreshing alternative that sake sippers all around the world will love.

This American sake is unique among our top ginjo sake recommendations. It charms drinkers with tropical fruit flavors in addition to the citrusy tastes that ginjo fans expect.

There's a crisp blend of both pineapple and lime here, enriched with a medium body.

Served chilled, Momokawa Organic is at its best. Pair it up with sushi and sashimi to watch the sparks fly.

Nanbu Bijin AWA Sparkling

Nanbu Bijin AWA

Ranked among the best sparkling sake, Nanbu Bijin AWA Sparkling is an exciting addition to the junmai ginjo crew.

You'll immediately detect a classic ginjo feel to this award-winning sake. It's got a medium-body that opens up to a fruity aroma.

Unlike champagne, there's no sugar added to Nanbu AWA Sparkling. It helps leave its semi-sweet pear and apple flavors intact. The sake rounds out with an umami rice-like finish.

Nanbu Bijin AWA pairs well with seafood and cheese appetizers. It's also a great choice to serve as an aperitif.