Picked this up while in Fukushima on business. There was a small shop in the station, and this was one of the two bottles the shop staff recommended—it was a great recommendation.

Nekka is an interesting bottle. It states only rice and koji on the label, but it doesn’t taste like a typical rice shōchū—this is very much like a sake kasu shōchū. In the end it doesn’t matter so much, because what’s in the bottle is delicious: bright, fruity, and clean with those familiar sake notes (peach, lychee, subtle florals) in a smooth, distilled format that’s easy to enjoy slowly.

The sake-like character shines through beautifully—pure, elegant, and refreshing—without feeling heavy or boozy. It’s the kind of shōchū that feels perfect for warm weather or relaxed evenings, and the shop staff clearly knew what they were talking about. A solid, enjoyable find that exceeded expectations for a station-shop pickup. Definitely glad I listened to the recommendation.