Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.

Sake lees (酒粕, sakekasu) is the residual solid obtained after pressing fermented rice mash in sake brewing. Used in cosmetics for amino acids, peptides, and yeast-derived bioactives. Major sake-producing regions (Niigata, Nada, Fushimi, Saijō) supply upstream material. Well-suited to sustainability narratives as an upcycled brewing byproduct.

Sake extract is a concentrated preparation from Japanese rice wine, typically aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extraction capturing amino acids, peptides, and flavor actives. Cosmetic applications use non-alcoholic or low-alcohol fractions for moisturizing and brightening claims; food applications use sake concentrate in seasonings, glazes, and bakery.

Rice bran extract is derived from the pericarp and germ fractions of milled Oryza sativa. Long used in Japanese household skincare via togijiru (rice-rinsing water) and nukabukuro (rice-bran poultices). The extract concentrates gamma-oryzanol, ferulic acid, tocopherols, and B-vitamins, and pairs well with other rice-derived materials.

Amazake is a traditional Japanese sweet beverage made by fermenting rice with rice koji. Koji enzymes convert rice starch to glucose, producing a naturally sweet, non-alcoholic drink. A separate variant made from sake lees contains low alcohol. Hakkaisan Brewery's 'Kōji dake de tsukutta Amasake' (FFC notification I290) is Japan's first koji-based beverage with dual functional claims via A. oryzae HJ1 strain and koji-derived glucosylceramide. Modern positioning includes 'drinking IV drip' (nomu tenteki) health-food claims.