The meaning of Futsushu is “standard sake” which is a best-tasting sake for the best value, and this means that there are no governmental designation rules to guide this segment. Futsushu simply means any sake that falls outside the specially designated sake categories. Unlike these categories, which are defined by law, futsushu does not have any official definition.

To give some examples, futsushu can include sake brewed using rice polished to over 70%, sake containing brewer’s alcohol over the maximum prescribed amount, sake with added ingredients such as sugars or acidulants, or sake made from ungraded rice.