With a sweet potato shochu (imo shochu) tasting set, if you choose without knowing how the five bottles differ in brand and alcohol content, it is easy to realize after giving it that the contents were not what you expected. This article organizes the publicly available product information and review-site entries for the Honbo Shuzo Toji Selected Sweet Potato Shochu Tasting Set, 300ml × 5 bottles (本坊酒造 杜氏厳選 芋焼酎 飲み比べセット), under these points: quantity, alcohol content and features by brand, best-before date and storage, suitability as a gift, and reviews.
Drinking by anyone under 20 is prohibited by law in Japan. Please follow the laws of your country or region. Drinking during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may affect the development of the fetus or infant. Please also do not drink before or while driving. Purchasing alcohol by anyone under 20 is also prohibited by law.
*The Amazon listing is a different-specification product from the same store (its description of five brands and 300ml × 5 bottles matches Rakuten Ichiba, but the manufacturer’s control number does not match, and the range of options, such as whether a glass is included, could not be confirmed). The quantity and contents in this article are based on the Rakuten Ichiba product. Please check the details on the Amazon product page before purchasing.
What We Confirmed
- Quantity, and alcohol content and features for each of the five brands
- Best-before date and storage method
- Ingredients and allergen labeling
- Whether it works as a gift
- Trends in public reviews
Basic Information
This table transcribes what is stated on the product page. However, the “not confirmed” labels and any notes we add are our own.
| Product Name | 本坊酒造 杜氏厳選 芋焼酎 飲み比べセット 300ml×5本（化粧箱入り） (Honbo Shuzo Toji Selected Sweet Potato Shochu Tasting Set, 300ml × 5 bottles, in a gift box) |
|---|---|
| Name | 本格焼酎（芋焼酎）セット (honkaku shochu, sweet potato shochu set)Source: Rakuten Ichiba product page (viewed October 4, 2026) |
| Amount | 300ml × 5 bottles (1,500ml in total). Comes with a tasting guideSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description) |
| What Changes Depending on Your Selection | In the “色が変わるグラス” (color-changing glass) option field, you choose either not needed (standard) or one glass included. The 300ml × 5 bottles inside are the same in both cases. The glass specifications and size are not confirmedSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page (option field and product description) |
| Storage Method | Not confirmed |
| Best-Before Date | The best-before field is shown as “なし” (none), and the page advises about one month after openingSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description) |
| Raw Material Origin | Sweet potato (from Kagoshima Prefecture), rice koji (domestic rice). Only 石の蔵から is listed as “米麹、米” (rice koji, rice), with no mention of domestic rice. The ingredients for each brand are in the table belowSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description) |
| Place of Processing | Not confirmed |
| State / How to Enjoy (Whether Cooking Is Required) | This is a set of shochu to be opened and drunk. We could not find any guidance on whether heating is required on the product page. A tasting guide is included, but what the guide says is not confirmedSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description) |
| Shipping | The estimated shipping time is same-day shipment for orders by 10:00 on weekdays (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays). The shipping temperature is not confirmedSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page (option field and product description) |
| Manufacturer | 本坊酒造株式会社 (Honbo Shuzo Co., Ltd.; location not confirmed)Source: Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description) |
| Shop | 本坊酒造 公式通販【楽天市場店】 (Rakuten Ichiba) |
Prices are not listed here because they change. Please check the current price and stock availability at the link above.
The Five Bottles: Brand, Alcohol Content, Features
This rearranges what is shown in the Rakuten Ichiba product description. Each bottle is 300ml, and the alcohol content ranges from 17% to 37% depending on the brand.
| Brand | Alcohol Content | Type | Features (Seller’s Description) | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 石の蔵から (Ishi no Kura Kara) | 17% | Honkaku shochu (sweet potato shochu) | White koji, oak-barrel aging, pre-diluted shochu (mae-wari) | Sweet potato (from Kagoshima Prefecture), rice koji, rice |
| 原酒屋久杉 (Genshu Yakusugi) | 37% | Honkaku shochu (sweet potato shochu) | White koji, handmade, brewed in a kame jar (kame-tsubo), undiluted (genshu) | Sweet potato (from Kagoshima Prefecture), rice koji (domestic rice) |
| あらわざ桜島 (Arawaza Sakurajima) | 25% | Honkaku shochu (sweet potato shochu) | White koji, polished distillation | Sweet potato (from Kagoshima Prefecture), rice koji (domestic rice) |
| 魂の芋 (Tamashii no Imo) | 25% | Honkaku shochu (sweet potato shochu) | Yellow koji, brewed in a jar (kame) | Sweet potato (from Kagoshima Prefecture), rice koji (domestic rice) |
| 秘蔵の一献 (Hizo no Ikkon) | 25% | Honkaku shochu (sweet potato shochu) | White koji, brewed in a kame jar (kame-tsubo) | Sweet potato (from Kagoshima Prefecture), rice koji (domestic rice) |
Source: Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description). Viewed October 4, 2026. The alcohol content, features, and ingredients are the seller’s description; we have not checked the labels (the markings on the containers).
On the Rakuten Ichiba product page, the seller, 本坊酒造 公式通販, lists the combined awards for the five bottles as “金賞22冠” (22 gold medals: IWSC 5 times, ISC 8 times, SFWSC 9 times) and “世界一2冠” (2 world-best awards: IWSC trophy, SFWSC Best). The organizers are written as International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), International Spirits Challenge (ISC), and San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), and the years of the awards are shown for each brand from 2013 to 2025. The category name of each award is not shown, so it is not confirmed. Awards from 2020 or earlier are results from more than five years ago and are not the latest. The Amazon product page’s description says “金賞21冠” (21 gold medals: IWSC 5 times, ISC 8 times, SFWSC 8 times), which differs from the Rakuten Ichiba listing by one SFWSC award. We could not identify from the two pages which award accounts for the difference. All of these are the seller’s descriptions, and Ochinity has not confirmed the awards.
Ingredients and Allergen Labeling
Within what we checked, we could not find any allergen labeling, such as for specified ingredients, on the Rakuten Ichiba or Amazon product pages. This item is not confirmed. The ingredients are listed in the product description as shown in the table above, but we have not been able to check the labeling on the containers.
If you have allergy concerns or want to check the ingredients, please contact the shop before purchasing, or check the food information label on the product when it arrives.
Five Things to Check Before Buying
| What to Check | For This Product | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Amount and Number of Servings | 300ml × 5 bottles (1,500ml in total). No guideline for the number of servings is given | Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description) |
| 2. Storage Method and Shelf Life | Storage method: not confirmed. The best-before field is “なし” (none), and the page advises about one month after opening | Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description) |
| 3. Ingredients and Allergen Labeling | Only the ingredients are listed. Allergen labeling: not confirmed | Checked the Rakuten Ichiba and Amazon product pages |
| 4. Suitable as a Gift | The page shows that noshi (gift wrapping label), gift wrapping, and message cards are available. It comes in a gift box. The full list of noshi inscriptions is not confirmed | Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description and product name) |
| 5. Review Trends | Rakuten Ichiba’s rating is 4.65 out of 5 (3,630 reviews). Many say it was well received as a gift, while some point to the appearance of the wrapping and packing (a trend within the 110 reviews we read: the first 60 in Rakuten’s default order plus 50 filtered to 1★ and 2★. They were posted from June 2013 to September 2026; the latest is September 2026. This may not reflect the product’s current condition) | Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 4, 2026) |
Suitable as a Gift?
The Rakuten Ichiba product page (viewed October 4, 2026) describes the following options.
- Noshi (gift wrapping label): specified in the notes field of the shopping cart. Examples of inscriptions include ochūgen (mid-year gift), anniversary celebrations, uchi-iwai (return gift), and wedding gifts, and age-specific inscriptions (from kanreki, the 60th birthday, to hyakuju, the 100th birthday) are also shown. Some occasions are not among the examples, and we could not confirm the full list of inscriptions you can actually choose
- Wrapping: gift wrapping is described as something you choose in the shopping cart. We could not confirm the types of wrapping paper. The product name says “化粧箱入り” (in a gift box), and the Amazon product name says “専用化粧箱［ギフトBox入り］” (in a dedicated gift box [gift box included])
- Message card: chosen in the shopping cart, with set messages such as “お誕生日” (birthday), “お父さん” (father), and “お母さん” (mother)
- Arrival date: described as something you can specify in the shopping cart. If none is specified, it ships as soon as possible. The estimated shipping time is same-day shipment for orders by 10:00 on weekdays, and the shop is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays
- Receipt: an electronic receipt (invoice-compliant) is provided, and the page says nothing showing the price is enclosed
- Sender on the shipping label: reviews include posts saying the sender field on the label showed the shop’s address (2023) and that it arrived with no way to tell who sent it (2020). We have not confirmed how this is handled now
The recipient must be aged 20 or over. It cannot be given as a gift to anyone under 20.
What Public Reviews Say
Below, we have organized the Rakuten Ichiba product reviews by topic. The rating figures are as of the time we viewed them and may change afterward.
| Site | Rating | Reviews | Viewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten customer reviews (product page) | 4.65 / 5 | 3,630 | October 4, 2026 |
Rating breakdown: 5★ 2,621 / 4★ 819 / 3★ 139 / 2★ 22 / 1★ 29 (as shown on Rakuten Ichiba, viewed October 4, 2026)
What we read: the first 60 reviews in Rakuten’s default order (posted October 2025 to September 2026; latest September 2026), 28 reviews filtered to 1★ (29 matched; posted June 2013 to March 2025), and all 22 reviews filtered to 2★ (posted June 2013 to June 2026), 110 in total. These are trends within what we read and may not reflect the product’s current condition.
What Reviewers Praise
How it was received as a gift
About 43 of the 60 reviews in the default order said they used it as a gift for occasions such as Father’s Day, birthdays, oseibo (year-end gifts), uchi-iwai (return gifts), or kanreki (60th birthday) celebrations, and that it was well received.
Comparing five brands
About 25 of the 60 reviews mentioned being able to compare five brands or try a variety of types. 3 reviews also said the included tasting guide made it enjoyable. On the other hand, one 4★ review (August 2026) said no instruction sheet was included.
Small bottles, a little at a time
About 6 of the 60 reviews said that the 300ml small bottles let them try a little at a time, or that the amount was just right.
Careful wrapping and packing
About 7 of the 60 reviews said the wrapping and packing were careful or that the gift box was cute. However, as described under “What Reviewers Note” below, some reviews point out the appearance of the wrapping, so opinions are divided.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 4, 2026)
What Reviewers Note
Appearance of wrapping and packing
About 22 of the 50 reviews filtered to 1★ and 2★ mentioned the appearance of the wrapping and packing (a dozen or so were about the wrapping alone). They said things like the contents or the message card could be seen through the bubble wrap, the wrapping was torn or the box was crushed, and the text on the noshi was small. Of these, 3 were posted in the last two years, and most are old.
How to check: the display about noshi, wrapping, and message cards is summarized in “Suitable as a Gift?” in this article.
Delivery, arrival date, and the shop’s response
About 16 of the 50 reviews at 1★ and 2★ mentioned delivery or the shop’s response. They said things like it did not arrive on the specified date, it arrived earlier than specified, it was late, a bottle broke, or the response to an inquiry was unsatisfactory. None were posted in the last two years; the latest is June 2024.
How to check: the display about specifying an arrival date is summarized under the arrival date item in “Suitable as a Gift?” in this article.
Taste preference and size
2 of the 50 reviews at 1★ and 2★ said the taste did not suit them or that the brands felt weak in character (both were posted more than two years ago). One review (2014) also said it was smaller than expected.
How to check: the quantity per bottle and the features of each of the five brands are summarized in “Basic Information” and the brand table in this article.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 4, 2026)
Who It Suits / Who Should Be Careful
Who It Suits
- Want to choose a sweet potato shochu tasting set as a gift for someone aged 20 or over
- Want to compare the differences among five brands, from 17% to 37%, in small bottles
- Looking for a product that offers noshi, gift wrapping, and message cards
Who Should Be Careful
- Anyone under 20 (neither buying nor drinking is permitted)
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding (please refrain from drinking)
- Want to check allergen labeling before purchasing (could not be confirmed on the product page; not confirmed)
- Want to specify a noshi inscription when giving it (the full list of choices has not been confirmed)
- A gift whose arrival date must be fixed (past reviews include posts saying it arrived on a day other than the specified date)
Prices, stock, shipping fees, and delivery dates are subject to change. This article’s information-as-of date is October 4, 2026. Please be sure to check the listing at the link before purchasing. Drinking by anyone under 20 is prohibited by law in Japan, and age verification may be required for the sale of alcohol.
This article contains affiliate links (advertising). Editorial Policy
*The Amazon listing is a different-specification product from the same store (its description of five brands and 300ml × 5 bottles matches Rakuten Ichiba, but the manufacturer’s control number does not match, and the range of options, such as whether a glass is included, could not be confirmed). The quantity and contents in this article are based on the Rakuten Ichiba product. Please check the details on the Amazon product page before purchasing.
Summary
- The 300ml × 5 bottles contain five brands of sweet potato shochu: 石の蔵から, 原酒屋久杉, あらわざ桜島, 魂の芋, and 秘蔵の一献, with alcohol content ranging from 17% to 37% depending on the brand
- The best-before field is “なし” (none), and the page advises about one month after opening. We could not confirm the storage method on the product page
- We could not confirm the allergen labeling or the storage method. Before giving it, check the noshi inscription options and the arrival-date setting on the purchase page
Related Pages
This article organizes information published on various retail and review sites. Product details such as quantity, storage method, and ingredients are subject to change. Please check the seller’s listing for the latest information.
Comments on taste or quality are summarized from third-party posts cited with their source, and are not Ochinity’s own evaluation. Our approach to writing articles is described in our Editorial Policy.
Drinking by anyone under 20 is prohibited by law in Japan. Drinking during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may affect the development of the fetus or infant.
Information as of: October 4, 2026 / Sources: Rakuten Ichiba “本坊酒造 公式通販【楽天市場店】” product page, Amazon product page for a similar item, Rakuten customer reviews
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