World Sake Imports

What World Sake Imports does

World Sake Imports, Inc. is a Honolulu, Hawaii-based B2B importer and distributor of premium Japanese sake and shochu, founded in 1998. The company represents 13 regional sake breweries and 4 shochu distilleries in the United States, with a portfolio that includes heritage labels such as Masumi (Miyasaka Brewing Company, since 1662), Tamagawa (Kinoshita, since 1842), Sohomare (since 1872), Dewazakura, Kokuryu, Kamoizumi, Koshi no Kanbai, Tedorigawa, Hoyo, Akitabare, Nagurayama, Seitoku, Nishida, and the Hawaii-based Islander Sake Brewery, plus four shochu producers (Iki, Satoh, Toyonaga, Yama no Mori). The competitive core is an unbroken cold-chain logistics system: orders are placed directly with breweries, transported via refrigerated trucks to a refrigerated warehouse in Tokyo, and shipped to the US in refrigerated containers, with monthly replenishment aimed at preserving the brewery-mandated flavor profile.

The company serves two primary B2B segments — restaurants (sushi bars, izakaya, nightclubs, fine dining) and specialty retail stores — and uses a sales-led, education-driven go-to-market model anchored by sake pairing dinners, brewery meet-and-greet events, and Sake 101 classes at partner venues such as Toro (Honolulu), Sushi Nakazawa (New York), Little Plum (Honolulu), The Sake Shop (Honolulu), and Uva Wines and Spirits (Brooklyn). Revenue is generated through wholesale transaction-based distribution of sake and shochu, supplemented by ticketed consumer events priced from $20 (educational classes) to $375 per person (omakase pairing dinners). The firm operates a UK subsidiary (worldsake.uk) extending the model into a second geography, and markets through organic social (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), content marketing via the "Sake no Monogatari" editorial blog, email newsletters, and event activations.

The company is privately held with 11-50 employees, no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no public listing. Operating status is active, with evidence of continuous portfolio refresh (e.g., 2024 additions of Sohomare "Ki-Itsu" and Dewazakura "Awa"; 2025 releases of Masumi "Arabashiri," Kokuryu "Icchorai," and Tedorigawa "Hiyaoroshi"). No management team, M&A activity, regulatory actions, or leadership changes are disclosed in the source data.

Name

World Sake Imports

Legal name

World Sake Imports, Inc.

Website

https://worldsake.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

World Sake Imports is a Honolulu-based B2B importer and distributor, founded in 1998, that represents 13 Japanese sake breweries and 4 shochu distilleries in the United States, serving restaurants and specialty retailers through refrigerated cold-chain logistics and education-driven sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sake and Shochu Import Distribution

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beverage Import/Export & Cross-Border Wholesale (AFAIAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sake, Soju & Other Asian Alcoholic Beverages Producers & Brands (CRADAIAF), Ethnic Beverages Wholesale (Specialty/Import) (AFAIAIAG), Sake & Traditional Rice Wine Production (AFAFAAAG)

Keywords

• Japanese sake import
• Premium shochu distribution
• Wholesale beverage distribution
• Cold chain logistics
• Brewery import services

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sake & Shochu Import Distribution: World Sake Imports generates revenue by importing premium Japanese sake and shochu from 13 regional breweries and 4 shochu distilleries, and distributing them to restaurants and retail stores across the United States. Orders are placed directly with the breweries for delivery via refrigerated trucks to a refrigerated warehouse in Tokyo, then shipped to the U.S. in refrigerated containers. The company monitors inventory closely for rapid turnover and monthly replenishment from Japan.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

World Sake Imports imports and distributes premium Japanese sake and shochu from thirteen regional breweries and four shochu distilleries to restaurants and retail stores across the United States. The company maintains an unbroken refrigerated supply chain from brewery pickup in Japan through Tokyo refrigerated warehouse, refrigerated ocean containers, and onward U.S. distribution. It also runs sake education events, tasting dinners, and brewery pairing experiences.

Product overview

World Sake Imports is a premium Japanese sake and shochu import company established in 1998, distributing products from thirteen regional sake breweries and four shochu distilleries across the United States. The core product offering is premium sake import and distribution services, with the company maintaining a cold chain from Japanese breweries through refrigerated trucks and warehouses to ensure products arrive in perfect condition. Their portfolio spans multiple product brands including Masumi (from Miyasaka Brewing Company since 1662), Dewazakura, Kokuryu/Kuzuryu, Kamoizumi, Akitabare, Hoyo, Tamagawa, Tedorigawa, Koshi no Kanbai, Islander Sake (from Hawaii), Nagurayama, Sohomare, and Seitoku, each offering various expressions ranging from Junmai and Ginjo to Daiginjo classifications, plus specialty categories like Nigori, Sparkling, Koshu (aged), Nama (unpasteurized), and Genshu. The company also distributes shochu from four distilleries. Services include restaurant and retail distribution with monthly replenishment, plus educational sake events and pairing dinners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Masumi Sake Portfolio (Miyasaka Brewing Company) Portfolio of premium sakes from Miyasaka Brewing Company (established 1662 in Suwa, Nagano), discoverer of the Association No. 7 (Nanago) yeast. Distributed to U.S. restaurants and retailers seeking authentic Japanese sake with heritage credentials.
• Dewazakura Sake Portfolio

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miyasaka Brewing Company (Masumi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiyasaka Brewing Company, founded in 1662 in Suwa, is one of the great names of the sake world. The company discovered the Association No. 7 (Nanago) yeast in 1946, which continues to be used by over half of the breweries in Japan. World Sake Imports represents Masumi sake in the U.S., featuring products including Nanago, Yumedono, Arabashiri, Shiro, Origarami, Sparkling, Yuzu Liqueur, Hiyaoroshi, Okuden Kantsukuri, and Sanka. Joint events such as the Masumi × Nakazawa Omakase Dinner are held to promote the brand.
• Dewazakura Sake BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDewazakura is one of the most innovative sake-makers in Japan, credited with popularizing ginjo sakes through its 'Oka' label introduced in 1980. The company pioneered storing unpasteurized sake at 25 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve aroma and flavor until bottling. World Sake Imports distributes Dewazakura products including Dewasansan, Oka, Izumi Judan, Omachi, Daiginjo, Sarasara Nigori, Tobiroku, Awa, Namagenshu, Mini-Daiginjo, Ichiro, and Yukimanman. Tasting events featuring the brewery are hosted at U.S. retailers.
• Kokuryu Sake Brewing CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKokuryu Sake Brewing Corporation in Fukui Prefecture is known for sakes with deep flavor and overall finesse. The brewery skillfully balances rich flavor with delicate balance. World Sake Imports distributes Kokuryu and Kuzuryu labels including Daiginjo (Crystal Dragon), Ryu (Gold Dragon), Tarekuchi, and Icchorai.
• Kamoizumi Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKamoizumi is brewed in Saijo, one of Japan's top three brewing areas, known for both delicacy and strength in its sakes. World Sake Imports distributes Kamoizumi products including KomeKome, Shusen, Junmai Daiginjo, Nigori Ginjo, Umeshu, Koju, Red Maple, Yamabuki, Sachi, Summer Snow, and Koju.
• Koshi no Kanbai / Ishimoto Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIshimoto Brewing Company in Niigata pioneered the 'clear and dry' Niigata style of sake. Koshi no Kanbai sakes have both balance and flavor depth, defining the classic Niigata ginjo style. World Sake Imports distributes Amane, Sai, Muku, Kinmuku, Tokusen, and Chotokusen from the brewery. Special tasting events feature brewery representatives traveling from Niigata.
• Tedorigawa / Yoshida Sake BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoshida Sake Brewery in Ishikawa Prefecture is central to the Hokuriku region's movement toward full-flavored sakes, known for elegance and finesse. The brewery uses Kanazawa Yeast for smooth, balanced sakes. World Sake Imports distributes Tedorigawa products including Tsuyusanzen, Iki na Onna, Yamahai Junmai, Hiyaoroshi, Kinka, Yamahai Daiginjo, Mangekyo, and U.
• Tamagawa / Kinoshita Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKinoshita Brewing Company, established in 1842 in Kyoto, produces richly flavored, crisp-drinking sakes under the direction of Philip Harper, the first non-Japanese toji in Japan since 2007. World Sake Imports distributes Tamagawa products including Junmai Daiginjo, Red Label, White Label, Tokubetsu Junmai, Ice Breaker, Time Machine, and Kinsho.
• Sohomare Sake BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSohomare, established by the Kono family in 1872 in Tochigi Prefecture, is known for rich, expressive flavor, genteel clarity and balance. Unusually, the brewery uses 'Designation A' Yamadanishiki rice across its premium and standard labels. World Sake Imports distributes Ki-Itsu, Karakuchi, Tokubetsu Honjozo, Junmai Ginjo, Tokubetsu Kimoto, and Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo.
• Akitabare / Akita Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkitabare is brewed in the northern Tohoku region, which has the highest per-capita sake consumption in Japan. The brewery uses traditional methods with fermentation at low temperatures for up to 25 days. World Sake Imports distributes Daiginjo, Shunsetsu, Suirakuten, Koshiki Junzukuri, and Suirakuten Reserve from the brewery.
• Hoyo / Uchigasaki Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUchigasaki Brewing Company in Miyagi Prefecture produces graceful, charming Hoyo-labeled sakes using regional rice strains like Manamusume and Kura no Hana. World Sake Imports distributes Yamadanishiki Daiginjo, Manamusume, Sawayaka, Genji, and Kura no Hana.
• Nagurayama Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNagurayama Brewing Company in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture has produced ginjo sake since 1973 and is a leader in Japan's sake appraisal competitions. World Sake Imports distributes Yokikana, Gekkyu, Nigori Ginjo, and Aizu Shikon from the brewery.
• Seitoku Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeitoku Brewing Company in Gunma Prefecture is led by virtuoso brewmaster Yoshihiko Nishioka, trained at the National Research Institute of Brewing. Known for precise, understated ginjo style. World Sake Imports distributes Junmai Ginjo, Daiginjo, Genshu, and Bessen.
• Islander Sake Brewery HawaiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIslander Sake Brewery Hawaii in Waimea, Hawai'i carries on the heritage of the Honolulu Sake Brewery founded in 1908, brewing authentic ginjo and daiginjo labels using Japanese and California rice varieties with ultra-soft volcanic-filtered water. World Sake Imports distributes Kitashizuku Junmai Daiginjo, Kitashizuku Junmai Ginjo, Golden State Ginjo, Kona, Liliko'i Ginjo, and Pineapple Ginjo.
• Nishida Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNishida Brewing Company in Aomori Prefecture focuses on making the best sake possible from local Hanafubuki rice. Readers of Japan's Wall Street Journal voted 'Denshu' the best junmai sake in Japan. World Sake Imports distributes Denshu from the brewery.
• Genkai Distilling Company (Iki Shochu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four shochu distilleries represented by World Sake Imports in the United States, producing Iki shochu.
• Satoh Distilling Company (Satoh Shochu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four shochu distilleries represented by World Sake Imports in the United States, producing Satoh shochu.
• Toyonaga Distilling Company (Toyonaga Shochu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four shochu distilleries represented by World Sake Imports in the United States, producing Toyonaga shochu.
• Yama no Mori Distilling Company (Yama no Mori Shochu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four shochu distilleries represented by World Sake Imports in the United States, producing Yama no Mori shochu.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Tippsy: Tippsy is an online sake marketplace offering curated bottles and subscription boxes from Japanese breweries. It overlaps with World Sake Imports in sourcing sake from premium Japanese breweries and reaching U.S. consumers, but sells directly to consumers rather than via on-premise and retail accounts.
• SakéOne: SakéOne is a U.S.-based sake producer (Oregon) that also distributes imported sake in the U.S. market. It is a partial competitor for on-premise sake accounts and demonstrates the U.S. domestic production model that imported brands like WSI's must compete against.

Direct peers

• Vine Connections: Vine Connections is a U.S. importer and distributor specializing in premium sake, Japanese spirits, and natural wines. It is highly comparable to World Sake Imports in portfolio curation, education-led marketing, and on-premise focus.
• Nishida Shoten: Nishida Shoten (operating Takara Sake USA) is a Japanese sake producer-importer with U.S. production and import operations. It is comparable as a sake-focused importer with deep brewery relationships serving both retail and on-premise channels.
• True Sake: True Sake is the first standalone sake retail store in the U.S., based in San Francisco. It is comparable as a specialty channel for premium Japanese sake with strong education and tasting-driven customer engagement, although retail rather than distribution.
• JFC International: JFC International is one of the largest importers and distributors of Japanese food and beverages in North America, with a portfolio that includes sake, shochu, and other alcoholic beverages. It is the closest large-scale direct competitor to World Sake Imports in the U.S. Japanese beverage import channel.
• Skurnik Wines: Skurnik Wines is a U.S. importer and distributor of fine wine and sake, with a curated portfolio of Japanese breweries. The company shares World Sake Imports' selective, education-driven approach to sake distribution in the U.S.
• Mutual Trading Company: Mutual Trading is a major Japanese food and beverage importer supplying restaurants and retailers across the U.S. with sake, shochu, and other Japanese products. It competes with World Sake Imports for the same on-premise and specialty retail accounts.

Broad incumbents

• Republic National Distributing Company: RNDC is a major U.S. alcoholic beverage distributor operating across dozens of states. Its broad portfolio includes sake and Japanese spirits, positioning it as a broad incumbent competitor for premium sake distribution at national accounts.
• Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits: Southern Glazer's is the largest U.S. wine and spirits distributor, carrying sake, shochu, and other alcoholic beverages across all 50 states. It competes with World Sake Imports for on-premise and retail accounts via broad-line relationships, with significantly greater scale and logistics reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/worldsakeimport
• Facebookfacebook.com/worldsake
• Instagraminstagram.com/worldsakeimports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/world-sake-imports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Sake Imports