In the production of alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and sake, animal-derived “clarifying agents” may sometimes be used. Common examples include isinglass (made from fish bladders), bovine gelatin, egg whites, and casein (milk protein). These substances are used to remove cloudiness, improve clarity, and stabilize the quality of beverages.
Because these clarifying agents often leave little to no trace in the final product after serving their purpose during production, they may not always be required to be listed on ingredient labels. As a result, consumers cannot necessarily determine from the label alone whether animal-derived substances were used during the manufacturing process.
For vegans, even if no animal-derived substances remain in the final product, the use of animal-derived materials or processing aids during production may conflict with their ethical values. Therefore, transparent information about manufacturing processes is essential so that they can make informed choices with confidence.
On the other hand, sake is fundamentally made from rice, rice koji, and water, and generally does not contain animal-derived ingredients. For this reason, sake is often considered suitable for vegans. However, vegan certification requires verification not only of the ingredients but also of the entire manufacturing process.
Specifically, various aspects of production are reviewed, including the use of clarifying agents and filtration aids, the management of manufacturing equipment, cleaning agents, packaging materials, and even label adhesives, to confirm that no animal-derived materials are involved.
In other words, vegan-certified sake does not simply mean sake “made only from rice, rice koji, and water.” Rather, it refers to sake that has been verified by an independent certification body to be free from animal-derived ingredients and materials throughout the entire process, from raw materials and production to packaging.
However, even breweries that do not use animal-derived ingredients or clarifying agents may not obtain vegan certification, as certification requires an application process, audits, certification fees, and ongoing compliance management. For this reason, many breweries have not pursued official vegan certification.
Therefore, sake without vegan certification is not necessarily non-vegan. However, products bearing a vegan certification mark have been verified by an independent third-party organization, providing greater confidence for vegan consumers and international travelers.
Since vegan certification standards vary among certification bodies and there is currently no globally unified standard, this article introduces sake breweries that have obtained certification from various organizations as of June 2026.
Sake Breweries with Vegan Certification
Nanbu Bijin (Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture)
Certification Bodies: The Vegan Society (UK), VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai / Junmai Ginjo / Junmai Daiginjo Shinshira Yamada Nishiki / Sugar-Free Umeshu, and others (almost all products except seasonal limited editions, etc.)
Website: https://www.nanbubijin.co.jp/
Nagai Shuzo (Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: MIZUBASHO PURE / MIZUBASHO Junmai Daiginjo Midori / MIZUBASHO Yuki Hotaka Awa Sake / MIZUBASHO Yuki Hotaka Junmai Daiginjo
Website: https://www.nagai-sake.co.jp/
Asahi Sake Brewery (Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Certification Body: The Vegan Society (UK)
Certified Sake Products: Dassai Miriki Sono Saki e / Dassai Junmai Daiginjo Miriki Ni-wari San-bu / Dassai Junmai Daiginjo Miriki San-wari Kyu-bu / Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 45 / Dassai Sparkling 45
Website: https://www.dassai.com/
Kobe Shushinkan (Higashinada Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Product: Fukuju Tokubetsu Junmai — Koshihikari Rice Nurtured by Storks
Website: https://www.shushinkan.co.jp/
Watanabe Sake Brewery (Hida City, Gifu Prefecture)
Certification Body: The Vegan Society (UK)
Certified Sake Products: Hourai Junmai Ginjo, Family-Traditional Handcrafted / Josen / Iro-Otoko / Hida Nobu / W
Website: https://www.sake-hourai.co.jp/
Tanaka Sake Brewery (Kami Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
Certification Body: Currently being confirmed
Certified Sake Products: Manazuru Junmai Daiginjo (Purple) / Manazuru Junmai Ginjo (Green) / Manazuru Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo
Website: https://www.manatsuru.co.jp/
Imada Sake Brewery (Higashi-Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Fukucho (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://fukucho.jp/
Shimazaki Shuzo (Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Tōrikishi (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://azumarikishi.co.jp/
Aoki Sake Brewery (Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Tsuru-rei (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://www.kakurei.co.jp/
Hachinohe Shuzo (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Mutsu Hassen (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://mutsu8000.com/
Doii Sake Brewery (Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Kaiun (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://kaiunsake.com/
Tenzan Sake Brewery (Ogi City, Saga Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Tenzan / Nanada (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://www.tenzan.co.jp/
Akita Sake (Daisen City, Akita Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Kariho / Dewa Tsuru (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://www.igeta.jp/
Oki Daikichi Honten (Yamatsuri Town, Higashishirakawa District, Fukushima Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Shizenkyo / Gakki Masamune (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://www.daikichihonten.co.jp/
Yoshida Sake Brewery (Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Tedorikawa / Yoshida Kura u (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://tedorigawa.com/
Toshimori Sake Brewery (Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Products: Sake Ichijiku (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://www.sakehitosuji.co.jp/
Asama Sake Brewery (Naganohara Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Product: Asama-yama (Specific certified products have not been disclosed)
Website: https://www.asama-sakagura.co.jp/
Yao Honten (Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture)
Certification Body: VegeProject Japan
Certified Sake Product: Chichibu-nishiki Junmai Ginjo
Website: https://www.chichibunishiki.com/
Finally, when pairing sake with Edomae sushi, crisp, dry styles of sake have traditionally been preferred, as they enhance the delicate aromas and flavors of the sushi toppings without overpowering them. However, as richer and fattier sushi ingredients have become increasingly popular in recent years, more full-bodied and aromatic sake styles are also being selected to create harmonious pairings.
For vegetarian and vegan sushi, sake can play an even more important role. Compared with conventional Edomae sushi, which often includes seafood rich in umami compounds such as amino acids, plant-based sushi generally contains fewer naturally occurring amino acids. The umami, aroma, and complexity of sake can therefore complement these lighter flavors, adding depth and enhancing the overall dining experience.
Vegan-certified sake provides vegan diners with both confidence in the production process and an opportunity to appreciate the harmony between sake and plant-based sushi fully.