Why source from Japan
Honkaku Shōchū GI protection (Kagoshima imo, Iki mugi, Kuma kome, Ryukyu awamori, Kyushu kashu); 600+ year tradition.
Key spec
Alcohol 20-45%; ester profile dominated by ethyl caproate / acetate; lees rich in amino acid + peptides.
Typical end-product
Premium retail spirit, lees-derived cosmetic moisturisers, fine-dining hospitality export.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- Beverage: per supplier; ingredient: 1–10 kg lees / 1–10 L distillate
- Typical lead time
- 6–10 weeks (ingredient)
- Regions of origin
- Kagoshima (>100 distilleries), Miyazaki
- Category
- Traditional materials
- Harvest season
- Sweet potato October – November; distillation cycles year-round
- Japan regulatory status
- Honkaku Shōchū GI (MAFF, 2005); MHLW alcoholic-beverage rules
- Japanese name
- 薩摩芋焼酎
- Romaji
- 薩摩芋焼酎
About this ingredient
Sweet-potato distilled spirit (honkaku shōchū) — Kagoshima Prefecture's signature beverage with over 100 active distilleries. Production combines locally-grown sweet potato (Kogane Sengan, Beni Otome cultivars) with kuro-koji (black-koji) starter culture. The 'Honkaku Shōchū' GI designation (MAFF, 2005) protects the regional naming. Beyond consumer beverage, imo-shōchū-derived ingredient products (esters, lees-extract) are used in cosmetic and supplement OEMs. Distinct from existing 'awamori-extract' and 'shochu-kasu' entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Honkaku Shōchū GI (MAFF, 2005); MHLW alcoholic-beverage rules |
|---|---|
| EU | Spirit import; CN 2208; alcohol-content disclosure |
| United States | TTB regulated alcohol; FAS-licensed import |
| China | GACC; spirit-import licensing |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Imo-Shōchū (Sweet Potato Shōchū) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sake Extract
日本酒エキス
INCI Sake Extract (cosmetic) — JSCI ingredient; MOQ from 10–30 kg (cosmetic extract) / 50–500 L (bulk for food use).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Sencha Extract
煎茶エキス
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea)
焙じ茶
MOQ from 20–100 kg (powder); 50–200 kg (loose).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05