Awamori
Awamori is Okinawa's distilled spirit: rice (mostly Thai rice) is all turned into black-koji rice koji, fermented in a single mash and distilled in a pot still; aged three years or more, it is called kusu. KIKI's website lists 421 awamori bottles, with a median price of ¥1,712 per 720 ml (as of 1 Oct 2026).
How is awamori different from shochu?
By law awamori belongs to the honkaku (single-distilled) shochu family, but all its rice is turned into koji and fermented in one single mash, and the koji is black koji only.
| Awamori | Other shochu | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Rice koji and water only (mostly Thai rice) | Koji + sweet potato, barley, rice, brown sugar … |
| Koji | Black koji only | White, black or yellow koji |
| Mash | One (all-koji) | Usually two |
| Ageing | "Kusu" when all of it is 3+ years old | Up to each distillery |
What is kusu?
Kusu is awamori of which all has been stored for three years or more (labelling rule since August 2015); an age statement gives the youngest kusu in the blend. Of the 421 awamori bottles on this site, 236 are kusu; the median price per 720 ml is ¥2,475 for kusu and ¥1,172 for regular awamori.
Where is awamori made?
Awamori is made by distilleries in Okinawa Prefecture; 46 awamori makers were covered by Okinawa's liquor-tax relief (end of March 2021, Cabinet Office), and the Okinawa distillers' association lists 45 distilleries plus its cooperative (28 September 2026). Awamori made with black koji (Aspergillus luchuensis) and Okinawan water only, and fermented, distilled, stored and bottled in Okinawa, may carry the "Ryukyu" geographical indication; 27 bottles on this site show it on the label.
Sources: Cabinet Office, Okinawa Development Bureau (FY2024 review); Okinawa distillers' association, list of distilleries
Guides to awamori
- How does awamori differ from shochu?Thai rice, black koji only, one single mash, plus where awamori sits in the law and its story.
- How awamori is madeThai rice, black koji only, one mash, and kusu that grows with age.
- Kusu (aged awamori) and shitsugiOnly awamori aged three years or more (all of it) is kusu. Age statements, pots and bottles, and shitsugi at home.
- How to drink awamoriIn Okinawa it's mostly with water; on the rocks, hot, and kusu neat. The karakara and the chibugwā.
- Where awamori is madeThe "Ryukyu" GI and some 45 distilleries, from the main island to Miyako, Yaeyama and Yonaguni.
- A short history of shochu and awamoriDistilling arrived from the southern seas, reaching Ryukyu, Satsuma, then all Japan.
- Types of shochu and awamoriSweet potato, barley, rice, brown sugar and buckwheat, plus koji and still.
- How to mix shochuRatios and strength for shochu on the rocks, with water, hot water or soda, and maewari.
Awamori in KIKI's data
Numbers for the awamori on this site (the part of KIKI's catalogue that meets the website's gate, as of 1 Oct 2026). Prices are medians of the lowest shop price, converted to 720 ml.
| Bottles | Median per 720 ml | |
|---|---|---|
| All awamori | 421 | ¥1,712 |
| Kusu (aged) | 236 | ¥2,475 |
| Regular (not labelled kusu) | 185 | ¥1,172 |
| Label shows the "Ryukyu" GI | 27 | – |
How strong is awamori?
Awamori (a single-distilled shochu) is 45 % or less; above 45 % it is classed as raw-material alcohol. Of the 410 awamori on this site with a known strength, 30 % is the most common (126 bottles).
| Strength | Bottles | Bottles |
|---|---|---|
| 25 % or less | 75 | |
| 26–30 % | 127 | |
| 31–39 % | 38 | |
| 40–43 % | 144 | |
| 44 % and more | 26 |
How do shops suggest drinking it?
Of the serving suggestions KIKI read from the shop descriptions of 231 awamori bottles, the most common is on the rocks (186 bottles) (several per bottle).
| Serving | Bottles | Bottles |
|---|---|---|
| on the rocks | 186 | |
| with water | 135 | |
| straight | 134 | |
| with soda | 45 | |
| with hot water | 37 |
Awamori distilleries
The 43 distilleries with awamori on this site, by area (bottles = awamori listed on this site, 421 in all).
Okinawa Island, north
| Distillery (town, main brands) | Bottles |
|---|---|
| Yamakawa Shuzo 山川酒造本部町Brands: Sangosho, Kaneyama, Yamakawa, Sangosho | 25 |
| Nakijin Shuzo 今帰仁酒造今帰仁村Brands: Utsukushiki Furusato, Nakijinjo, Sennen no Hibiki, Marudai | 18 |
| Yanbaru Shuzo やんばる酒造大宜味村Brands: Yanbaru Kuina, UFUYANBARU, Maruta, KUINA BLACK | 18 |
| Sakiyama Shuzosho 崎山酒造廠金武町Brands: Matsufuji, Sakiyama no Genshu, Inishie no Bishu, Nannansei | 15 |
| Ryusen Shuzo 龍泉酒造名護市Brands: Ryusen, Haneji Naikai | 8 |
| Onna Shuzojo 恩納酒造所恩納村Brands: Manza, NAVI | 7 |
| Helios Shuzo ヘリオス酒造名護市Brands: Kura | 4 |
| Tsukayama Shuzosho 津嘉山酒造所名護市Brands: Kokka | 4 |
| Sakimoto Shuzo 咲元酒造恩納村Brands: Sakimoto, Kuraha | 3 |
| Kin Shuzo 金武酒造金武町Brands: Ryu | 1 |
Okinawa Island, central
| Distillery (town, main brands) | Bottles |
|---|---|
| Kamimura Shuzo 神村酒造うるま市Brands: Shurei, Danryu, Hojun Roman Shurei, Sho | 21 |
| Higa Shuzo 比嘉酒造読谷村Brands: Zanpa | 11 |
| Chatan Choro Shuzo Kojo 北谷長老酒造工場北谷町Brands: Chatanchoro, Ipponmatsu | 10 |
| Ishikawa Shuzojo 石川酒造場西原町Brands: Gyokuyu, Shimakaze, Omonogusuku | 7 |
| Shinzato Shuzo 新里酒造うるま市Brands: Churashima, Shinzato, Kariyushi, Ryukyu no Shizuku | 4 |
Okinawa Island, south
| Distillery (town, main brands) | Bottles |
|---|---|
| Masahiro Shuzo まさひろ酒造糸満市Brands: Vintage Bottle, Masahiro, Shurijo Seiden, Shimauta | 28 |
| Chuko Shuzo 忠孝酒造豊見城市Brands: Chuko, Koryukyu, Yumekokai, Suiko | 23 |
| Mizuho Shuzo 瑞穂酒造那覇市Brands: Mizuho, Suiten, Mizuho, Koto Shuri | 19 |
| Okinawaken Shuzo Kyodo Kumiai 沖縄県酒造協同組合那覇市Brands: Uminokuni, Paikaji, Konpeki, Ryukyu Awamori | 14 |
| Zuisen Shuzo 瑞泉酒造那覇市Brands: Zuisen, Haebaru, Ushuu | 12 |
| Kamiya Shuzo 神谷酒造八重瀬町Brands: Nanko, Koryu, Hanahana, Kamiya | 11 |
| Miyazato Shuzosho 宮里酒造所那覇市Brands: Harusame | 10 |
| Kumesen Shuzo 久米仙酒造那覇市Brands: Kumesen, Bakutan | 6 |
| Shikina Shuzo 識名酒造那覇市Brands: Shigure | 4 |
| Tsuhako Shuzo 津波古酒造那覇市Brands: Taihei | 4 |
Kume and Izena islands
| Distillery (town, main brands) | Bottles |
|---|---|
| Kumejima no Kumesen 久米島の久米仙久米島町 (Kumejima)Brands: Kumejima no Kumesen | 13 |
| Izena Shuzosho 伊是名酒造所伊是名村 (Izena)Brands: Tokiwa, Izenajima, Kanamaru, Izenajima | 11 |
| Yoneshima Shuzo 米島酒造久米島町 (Kumejima)Brands: Churabotaru, Kumejima, Hoshi no Hi | 5 |
Miyako
| Distillery (town, main brands) | Bottles |
|---|---|
| Taragawa 多良川宮古島市 (Miyako)Brands: Taragawa, Ryukyu Ocho, Kuon | 17 |
| Kikunotsuyu Shuzo 菊之露酒造宮古島市 (Miyako)Brands: Kikunotsuyu | 11 |
| Ikema Shuzo 池間酒造宮古島市 (Miyako)Brands: Zuiko, Nikoniko Taro, Zunara | 10 |
| Miyanohana 宮の華宮古島市 (Miyako)Brands: Miyanohana, Udisannosake | 7 |
| Okinohikari Shuzo 沖之光酒造宮古島市 (Miyako)Brands: Okinohikari | 4 |
| Tokuyama Shuzo 渡久山酒造宮古島市 (Miyako)Brands: Honen | 3 |
Yaeyama (Ishigaki, Yonaguni, Taketomi)
| Distillery (town, main brands) | Bottles |
|---|---|
| Yaesen Shuzo 八重泉酒造石垣市 (Ishigaki)Brands: Yaesen, Murikabushi, Shimaurara, Ninufabushi | 11 |
| Seifuku Shuzo 請福酒造石垣市 (Ishigaki)Brands: Seifuku | 9 |
| Ikehara Shuzo 池原酒造石垣市 (Ishigaki)Brands: Shirayuri, Akanma | 9 |
| Takamine Shuzosho 高嶺酒造所石垣市 (Ishigaki)Brands: Omoto, Iriomotejima no Awamori, Omoto, Kabira | 7 |
| Sakimoto Shuzosho 崎元酒造所与那国町 (Yonaguni)Brands: Kaiha, Yonaguni, Namikoe | 6 |
| Nakama Shuzo 仲間酒造石垣市 (Ishigaki)Brands: Miyanotsuru | 2 |
| Hateruma Shuzosho 波照間酒造所竹富町Brands: Awanami | 1 |
| Donan Shuzo どなん酒造与那国町 (Yonaguni)Brands: Donan | 1 |
Other
| Distillery (town, main brands) | Bottles |
|---|---|
| Godo Shusei 合同酒精松戸市Brands: Mizuho, Churasansan, Suiten | 7 |
Awamori by style
Picked from the awamori that have a page on this site, most shops first.
Kusu (aged)
| Awamori (distillery, ABV) | Per 720 ml |
|---|---|
| Zuisen Aged Awamori 43%瑞泉 古酒Zuisen Shuzo · 43 % | ¥1,118 |
| Kumesen Aged Awamori 35%久米仙 古酒 35度Kumesen Shuzo · 35 % | ¥987 |
| Shimauta Awamori 30%島唄Masahiro Shuzo · 30 % | ¥599 |
| Yaesen Kuroshinju Black Pearl Awamori 43%八重泉 黒真珠 43度Yaesen Shuzo · 43 % | ¥1,480 |
| Chatanchoro 13-Year Aged Koshu Awamori 25%北谷長老 13年古酒Chatan Choro Shuzo Kojo · 43 % | ¥2,950 |
| Kikunotsuyu 5 Year Aged Awamori 40%菊之露 5年古酒 40度Kikunotsuyu Shuzo · 40 % | ¥1,296 |
| Kura Aged Awamori 25%古酒 くら 25度Helios Shuzo · 25 % | ¥796 |
| Zanpa Premium Awamori 30%残波 プレミアム 30度Higa Shuzo · 30 % | ¥1,367 |
Regular awamori
| Awamori (distillery, ABV) | Per 720 ml |
|---|---|
| Jikabi Seifuku Direct Fire Distilled Awamori 30%直火請福 30度Seifuku Shuzo · 30 % | ¥697 |
| Zanpa Black Awamori 30%残波 ブラック 30度Higa Shuzo · 30 % | ¥729 |
| Kumejima no Kumesen Awamori 30%久米島の久米仙Kumejima no Kumesen · 30 % | ¥660 |
| Miyanotsuru Awamori 30%宮之鶴 30度Nakama Shuzo · 30 % | ¥1,012 |
| Zanpa White Awamori 25%残波 ホワイト 25度Higa Shuzo · 25 % | ¥692 |
| Yaesen Awamori 30%八重泉 30度Yaesen Shuzo · 30 % | ¥673 |
| Zuisen 30% Awamori Paper Pack瑞泉 30度 パックZuisen Shuzo · 30 % | ¥692 |
| Taragawa Awamori多良川Taragawa · 30 % | ¥685 |
Awamori of 40 % and more
| Awamori (distillery, ABV) | Per 720 ml |
|---|---|
| Yaesen Barrel Aged Awamori 40%八重泉 BARREL 40度Yaesen Shuzo · 40 % | ¥5,333 |
| Direct Fire Distilled Seifuku Awamori直火請福Seifuku Shuzo · 43 % | ¥702 |
| Zuisen Omoro 15-Year Aged Awamori瑞泉 おもろ 15年 古酒Zuisen Shuzo · 43 % | ¥4,980 |
| Kumejima no Kumesen Deigo Aged Awamori 43%久米島の久米仙 でいご 古酒 43度Kumejima no Kumesen · 43 % | ¥1,060 |
| Kumesen Awamori 43%久米仙 43度Kumesen Shuzo · 43 % | ¥906 |
| Zuisen Omoro 10-Year Aged Awamori瑞泉 おもろ 10年 古酒Zuisen Shuzo · 43 % | ¥3,300 |
| Mizuho Aged 3-Year Koshu Awamori 43%瑞穂 熟成三年古酒Mizuho Shuzo · 43 % | ¥835 |
| Zuisen Aged Awamori 43%瑞泉 古酒Zuisen Shuzo · 43 % | ¥1,118 |
Questions about awamori
What is awamori?
Awamori is Okinawa's distilled spirit: rice koji made with black koji mould and water are fermented and distilled once in a pot still. The rice is mostly Thai rice, and awamori aged three years or more is called kusu.
Which Okinawan drink is made from Thai rice and black koji?
Awamori. When it is made with black koji (Aspergillus luchuensis) and Okinawan water only, and fermented, distilled, stored and bottled in Okinawa, it may carry the "Ryukyu" geographical indication.
What is the difference between awamori and shochu?
By law awamori is a kind of honkaku (single-distilled) shochu, but all its rice becomes koji and goes into one single mash, and it uses black koji only. Sweet-potato or barley shochu usually adds the main ingredient in a second mash.
How old is kusu awamori?
Kusu is awamori of which all has been stored for three years or more. Since August 2015, awamori blended with younger spirit may not be labelled kusu.
What is awamori aged three years or more called?
Kusu (古酒). Younger awamori is called ippanshu, regular awamori; 236 of the 421 awamori bottles on this site are kusu.
How strong is awamori?
Awamori (a single-distilled shochu) is 45 % or less; above 45 % it is classed as raw-material alcohol. Among the 410 bottles on this site with a known strength, 30 % is the most common (126 bottles), and kusu is often around 40 %.
Is hanazake from Yonaguni awamori?
Hanazake (花酒) is a 60 % awamori from Yonaguni, made from the strong first part of the distillation. Above 45 %, awamori is classed as "raw-material alcohol" (原料用アルコール) under the Liquor Tax Act, though it may still be labelled awamori.
Where is awamori made?
In Okinawa. 46 awamori makers were covered by Okinawa's liquor-tax relief (end of March 2021), and the distillers' association lists 45 distilleries plus its cooperative (28 September 2026); besides the main island there are distilleries on Miyako, Ishigaki, Kume, Izena, Yonaguni and other islands.
Is there an app that identifies an awamori from a photo of the label?
KIKI (利き) is a free app that tells you what a sake, shochu or awamori is from a photo of its label: taste, ratings, value and the cheapest shop. It covers 20,000+ sakes, shochus and awamoris, awamori included.