Hakutsuru, Josen Kinkan Cup Sake, 200ml
Japan's Iconic Cup Sake for the Professional Drinks List
Cup sake is a single-serve Japanese sake sold in a glass tumbler — and Hakutsuru Josen Kinkan (白鶴 上撰 金冠 — "White Crane, Superior Selection, Gold Crown") is one of Japan's most recognised examples of the format. Brewed in Nada, Kobe — Japan's most celebrated sake-producing district — this is a Josen-grade sake: a step above standard futsu-shu, with a cleaner, more refined character. The 200ml glass cup is designed to be drunk straight from the vessel, making it a zero-waste, single-serve option for izakaya-style menus, event catering, and Japanese drinks lists.
Why Bars & Restaurants Choose This
- Josen grade: Superior Selection — a formal classification above standard table sake, with a smoother, cleaner finish.
- Zero-waste format: Glass cup doubles as the drinking vessel — no extra glassware or washing up.
- Nada-brewed pedigree: Hakutsuru has brewed in Kobe's Nada district since 1743 — Japan's most respected sake region.
- Portion control: 200ml single-serve eliminates over-pouring and simplifies stock management.
How to Serve
- Chilled: Serve at 5–10°C for a crisp, clean pour — the classic izakaya experience.
- Warm (kan-zake): Gently heat to 40–45°C for a rounder, sweeter character — Josen-grade sake responds particularly well to warming.
- Sake bomb: Drop the cup into a beer for a crowd-pleasing bar serve — popular at events and late-night menus.
- Food pairing: Clean enough to pair with sashimi, tempura, yakitori, or ramen without competing.
What does Josen cup sake taste like?
Hakutsuru Josen Kinkan opens with a light, clean rice aroma with a subtle sweetness. On the palate it's smooth and dry with gentle umami, a soft rice sweetness in the mid-palate, and a short, clean finish. The Josen classification means it sits above everyday table sake — there's a noticeably more refined quality compared to standard futsu-shu, without the price point of premium ginjo. That balance of quality and value makes it a smart house-sake choice for any Japanese-leaning menu.
Product Details
| Type | 日本酒 — Nihonshu (Japanese Sake) |
| Brand | Hakutsuru (白鶴 — "White Crane") |
| Grade | 上撰 Josen (Superior Selection) |
| Product Line | 金冠 Kinkan (Gold Crown) |
| Origin | Nada, Kobe, Japan |
| ABV | — |
| Volume | 200ml (single-serve glass cup) |
| Best Served | Chilled (5–10°C), room temperature, or warm (40–45°C) |
| Format | Glass cup (drink direct or decant) |
What is cup sake?
Cup sake (カップ酒) is sake sold in a single-serve glass tumbler, typically 180–200ml. The format was pioneered in 1964 and became a staple of Japanese convenience stores, train station kiosks, and izakaya bars. You drink straight from the glass cup — no decanting needed. For UK hospitality, cup sake offers built-in portion control, a visual talking point on any Japanese drinks menu, and zero breakage risk from separate glassware.
What does Josen mean?
Josen (上撰) means "Superior Selection" and is a legacy grading term from Japan's pre-1992 sake classification system. While the old system was officially replaced, many breweries — including Hakutsuru — still use Josen to indicate a sake that sits above standard table grade (futsu-shu) in quality and refinement. It signals a cleaner, more polished sake without the premium price of tokubetsu or ginjo classifications.
Can you heat cup sake?
Yes — and Josen-grade sake is one of the best styles for warming. Heat gently to 40–45°C (atsukan) by placing the open cup in a hot water bath. Never microwave, as it heats unevenly. Warmed sake develops a rounder, sweeter character and pairs especially well with rich dishes like ramen, oden, and braised pork belly.
SKU : S0174