The 720ml sake bottle (“四合瓶”, "Shigo-bin"), often used in the sale of sake, is a bottle size unique to Japan. In recent years, 720ml bottles have become the mainstream at many sake stores and supermarkets. 

Many people may wonder if a 720ml bottle, which is smaller than the classical 1.8l bottle, will fit in their refrigerator at home, or what size wrapping box or handbag to choose. Here we will introduce the size and capacity of 720ml bottles and why sake is often sold in 720ml bottles.

Sake mainly served in 720ml bottles

Sake is sold in a variety of sizes, but the most common is the 720ml bottle. In the past, sake was mostly sold in 1.8l bottles (“一升瓶”, “Issho-bin”), but as the number of people in a household and the amount of alcohol consumed has decreased, smaller sizes have become more desirable.

Japanese for the 720ml sake bottles

Both "Yongo-bin" and "Shigo-bin" are correct Japanese readings. However, since "Shigo-bin" is associated with the word "death", it may be better not to use it in certain situations, such as weddings and funerals. However, "Shigo-bin" is more commonly referred to as "Shigo-bin," so it is best to use both depending on the situation.

Capacity of 720ml sake bottles

The “go” (“合”)  in "Yongo-bin" is part of a traditional Japanese unit system called the “Shakkanhō” (“尺貫法”), which was used in the Edo period (1603-1867). 1合 is approximately 180 ml. The volume of a 4合 bottle is accordingly four times the volume of a 1合 bottle, making it approximately 720 ml.

The conversion in the old measurement system is as follows:

• 1 Go (合, 180ml)
• 10 Go (合) = 1 Sho (升, 1.8l)
• 10 Sho (升) = 1 To (斗, 18l)
• 10 To (斗) = 1 Koku (石, 180l)

The weight of a filled 720ml sake bottle is about 1.2~1.6 kg.

Size of 720ml sake bottles

The size of a 720ml bottle varies slightly depending on the brand, but it is approximately 30 cm high x 8 cm wide. It can fit in the door pocket of an ordinary household refrigerator. The sake bottles are slightly bigger than the 700ml wine bottles.

The reason why sake comes in 720ml bottles

Some of you may wonder why the size of a bottle is 4合 instead of 5合, which is one half the size of a 1800ml bottle. This is due to the fact that in olden times, Japan had a unit of measurement called "sake cup”. It is said that one sake cup was equivalent to about 4合, which is why the 720ml bottle was established.

There is also a theory that although 4合 bottles existed, the size was changed to 4合 bottles in order to meet consumers' needs in terms of volume and ease of storage, and they became the mainstay. 720ml bottles were first produced during the Meiji period (1868-1912), and it is said that they were used to exhibit at exhibitions and for exporting small quantities to overseas countries.

Other sake bottle sizes

There are several bottles that are larger than the 720ml bottle, as well as several smaller bottles. We will also explain who is suited for each of them. Please try to find the sake bottle size that suits your use case best.

1.8l (1 Sho) sake bottle

1.8l bottles can be mainly found in restaurants and your local izakaya. Sake shops and supermarkets also carry some 1.8l sake bottles. The capacity of an Issho-bin is 1800 ml. Since 1 go is 180 ml, it is equivalent to 10 go. Since it is less expensive than the smaller sizes, it is the recommended size for drinking with a large group.

180ml (1 Go) sake bottle

Recently, 180ml sake bottles have become popular because they can be consumed quickly. The price is reasonable, and even those who do not like sake can easily try it. It is also recommended for those who want to try a small amount of a brand they are interested in. Even if you are not familiar with the brand, you can easily try a small amount of sake in a 180ml bottle. 180ml bottles take up less space when stored and can be stored neatly.

360ml (2 Go) sake bottle

If you find that the 1 Go bottle is a bit small, we recommend the 2 Go bottle, which is one size larger than the 1 Go bottle. 2 Go bottles do not have a fixed capacity and range from 300ml to 360ml. 2 Go bottles are also recommended for drinking at home because they are the size that can be consumed in one go. Generally speaking, the appropriate amount of sake per day is about 1 Go (180 ml), so it is a good size for two people to drink. However, since sake is more expensive than the bigger sake bottles, it is more economical to buy a larger size if you are drinking with a large group. 2 Go bottles can also be stored in the refrigerator without taking up too much space.

Conclusion

The 720ml sake bottle, also known as the Shigo-bin or Yongo-bin, has become the most common size sold at sake stores and supermarkets. The 720ml bottle is approximately 30 cm high x 8 cm wide and weighs about 1.2~1.6 kg when filled. Its size is ideal for fitting in the door pocket of a household refrigerator. Its name originates from the traditional Japanese unit system, Shakkanhō. Other sake bottle sizes include the 1.8l (1 Sho) bottle, which is ideal for drinking with a large group, the 180ml (1 Go) bottle, which is suitable for trying a small amount of sake or for storing in small spaces, and the 360ml (2 Go) bottle, which is a good size for two people to drink.

Here at Sakura Sake Shop we carry all different sake bottle sized from 180ml up to 1.8l bottles. Depending on your use case and requirements, we can propose different bottle sizes that fit your needs.

‍