Japanese regional airline Solaseed Air, together with Satsuma Shuzo, the Regional Trading Company Promotion Organization, and Makurazaki City in Kagoshima Prefecture, will launch the sweet potato shochu “Sorayori.” on April 25.
This authentic shochu has an alcohol content of 12% and is made using the sweet potatoes “Satsuma Akane” and “Michishizuku” grown in Kagoshima Prefecture, along with Japanese rice malt (kome-koji). The product name expresses the idea of a gift from the sky, from one’s travels, or from one’s hometown in Japan. The label depicts scenery and specialties of Makurazaki, such as bonito (katsuo), illuminated chrysanthemums, and tea. The bottle contains 300 milliliters, and the price is 1,430 yen (including tax) in a dedicated gift box.
The product was co-developed based on a comprehensive partnership agreement concluded in June 2024. At “Solaseed Farm Makurazaki,” where about 2,000 square meters of abandoned farmland were reclaimed, cultivation of the sweet potatoes used as ingredients was launched. Local kindergarteners and junior high school students, as well as new employees of Solaseed Air, have participated in shochu workshops, planting sweet potato seedlings, and harvest experiences. The product has also been promoted at Makurazaki City’s summer festival “Kibaran Kai” and Satsuma Shuzo’s “Shinshu Matsuri” new shochu festival.
To commemorate the launch, a sales event will be held at Kagoshima Airport on April 25 and 26.
