Brand Indentity, Packaging・2024
OTOKOHANA
Authenticity
Sleek
Smooth
Otokohana is a premium sake from Yokogawa Sake Brewery, a small, family-run brewery founded in 1907 in Ehime, Japan. The line features three varieties—Hime, Genshu, and Josen—each with its own unique character.
Authenticity・Sleek・Smooth
The Challenge
How can a small, historic brewery modernize its brand to reach global audiences—especially those unfamiliar with sake—while preserving its authenticity and cultural heritage? How might the identity appeal to younger women, a demographic often overlooked in traditional sake branding?
The Approach
To bridge tradition and modernity, I created a brand identity centered around the iris flower—“Otokohana”—a favorite of the brewery's founder. The packaging balances refined typography and a soft, abstract background inspired by Scandinavian minimalism. This fresh aesthetic helps reframe sake as accessible and stylish, especially for a younger, international audience. A modern bar setting further contextualizes sake outside of traditional Japanese spaces.