Sho Chiku Bai Classic Junmai

Sho Chiku Bai (Takara Sake USA) · Kyoto / US (Berkeley, CA)
Alcohol Sake Alcohol Established export

Takara's flagship US sake brand, brewed in Berkeley, California, and a default house sake for countless American sushi bars. High-volume, value, dependable, it is one of the most widely poured Japanese-style sakes in the US market.

The supplierTakara Sake USA Inc. (Berkeley, CA, est. 1983), subsidiary of Takara Holdings / Takara Shuzo — Japan's largest sake exporter with 180+ years heritage. Brews Sho Chiku Bai locally from Calrose rice. Very B2B/English-ready with US production.
Why it sells abroadFlagship US-brewed sake of Japan's largest sake exporter; local production for freshness/logistics; deep grocery and foodservice penetration

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHACCP / FSSC 22000: not publicly verified from Takara Sake USA's own materials. US Berkeley, CA plant confirmed (Takara Sake USA est. 1983, produces Sho Chiku Bai) and operates under FDA / US food-safety regime. Restate HACCP/FSSC as unverified.
Pack formats720ml, 1.5L/1.8L, 375ml, 180ml (per Takara Sake USA range) — keep as estimate.
Shelf life12 months recommended best-by — estimate.
StorageCool, dark; refrigerate after opening.
Minimum orderUS-produced (low domestic MOQ, e.g., mixed pallet); import lines via Takara Shuzo Intl
Lead timeUS-produced ships domestically (days); imported group lines Typical: ~6 weeks ocean
CapacityHigh — dedicated Berkeley brewery plus Takara group capacity in Japan
Container loadTypical: ~1,000 cases (720ml ×12) per 20ft
PricingEstimate: value; ex-works ~USD 5–8/720ml wholesale equivalent
OEM / private labelNot publicly documented. Unverified.
Wholesale & MOQTakara Sake USA distribution; case/pallet. Broad mainstream availability.
Key exporters & distributorsTakara Sake USA, JFC International, Mutual Trading
Export regulationUS TTB/COLA + state tier; primarily US-produced so import rules differ; shelf-stable.
Market demandBroad US/Canada mainstream grocery and Japanese-restaurant demand; reliable category staple
How to source itTakara Sake USA (Berkeley) direct for US (confirmed producer/distributor); N.A. Sales Co. as wholesaler; JFC / Mutual Trading for trade.
Verified sourceshttps://www.takarasake.com/about-us/; https://business.ca.gov/takara-sake-usa-inc/
MakerTakara Sake USA Inc.
OriginKyoto / US (Berkeley, CA)
CategoryAlcohol / Sake
Available inUnited States, Canada, United Kingdom
HandlingAlcohol
Price tierMass
ChannelMass
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code2206.00
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.