🍶 Sho Volume Converter (升 to L)

The Sho Volume Converter converts between sho (升) and modern volume units. The sho is the second-largest commonly used shakkanho volume unit, equal to 10 go (合) or 1/10 to (斗).

The sho is most familiar as the isshobin (一升瓶) - the 1.8-liter sake bottle found in every Japanese restaurant and liquor store. While smaller 720 mL and 300 mL bottles have become common, the isshobin remains the standard bulk size.

Conversion formula:

Quick conversions:

• 1 sho = 1.804 L = 0.476 US gallons
• 1 sho = 10 go (rice cooker cups)
• 1 isshobin = 1 sho = ~10 servings of sake (1 go per serving)
• 1 sho of rice (uncooked) weighs approximately 1.5 kg

For rice cooking measurements, see our go (180 mL) converter. For bulk sake production volumes, use the koku converter. The general volume converter handles all metric and imperial units.

1. Enter the volume in sho (e.g. 1 for one sake bottle).
2. Select the target unit.
3. Click Convert for instant results.
4. Refer to the conversion table for related units.

How many liters is one sho?

One sho equals 1.8039 L (exactly 10 x 2401/13310 liters). This is the volume of the standard isshobin sake bottle. In practice, it is often rounded to 1.8 L.

Why is the standard sake bottle 1.8 L?

The isshobin (一升瓶) holds exactly 1 sho (1.8039 L), following the traditional shakkanho system. This size has been used for centuries as the standard bulk container for sake, soy sauce, and other liquids.

How many go are in one sho?

One sho equals exactly 10 go. This decimal relationship makes the shakkanho volume system easy to navigate: 10 go = 1 sho, 10 sho = 1 to, 10 to = 1 koku.

How much does 1 sho of rice weigh?

One sho of uncooked white rice weighs approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). The exact weight varies by rice variety, polishing degree, and moisture content. 1 sho yields about 10 go (3.3 kg) of cooked rice.

Can I still buy sake in isshobin?

Yes, the 1.8 L isshobin remains available at most liquor stores and is the standard for restaurant use. However, 720 mL bottles now dominate retail due to consumer preference for smaller portions and premium sake varieties.

The isshobin is disappearing from retail shelves. Modern consumers prefer 720 mL bottles (4 go, called yongoshobin), but isshobin remains the cheapest per-mL option and is standard in restaurants and izakaya.

Sake serving math: One isshobin (1 sho = 1800 mL) yields approximately 10 servings of sake (at 180 mL / 1 go per serving). This is useful for event planning and party budgets.

Historical significance: The sho was the standard tax unit for rice during the Edo period. Samurai stipends were measured in koku (100 sho) of rice. The sho-to-metric conversion was standardized in 1891.

Rice weight approximation: 1 sho of polished white rice weighs about 1.5 kg. This varies slightly by rice variety and moisture content.