Hello everyone,

I am Kotoko Yamada, 2023 Miss Sake Japan.

As the autumn deepens and the weather turns cooler, I had the pleasure of visiting Honolulu, Hawaii, in late October for the Joy of Sake, accompanied by our association’s representative director, Mika Onishi. Alongside this grand event, I attended several related gatherings in Honolulu.

In this blog, I’d like to share my experience of the Kuramoto Dinner, which took place the day after Joy of Sake Honolulu, the largest sake event in the United States.

For details about Joy of Sake Honolulu itself, please check out the blog linked below:

Kuramoto Dinner

The Kuramoto Dinner is a special event held to welcome the sake brewers who travel all the way from Japan to attend Joy of Sake Honolulu.

Traditionally held the night before the main event, this year, the dinner was held the following evening. It served as a wonderful opportunity for sake brewers and those involved in Hawaii’s sake industry to connect, reflect on the event, and deepen their bonds.

The evening began with a welcome speech from Mr. Chris, the organizer of Joy of Sake Honolulu. He introduced each of the brewers from Japan, followed by introductions of the judges from the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, other distinguished guests, and, to my great honor, myself as well.

At the dinner, a variety of sake featured at Joy of Sake Honolulu was served. I had the privilege of helping at the sake booth, where I introduced and poured sake for the guests. Among the selection was a sake from my hometown in Kanagawa Prefecture! Many attendees, being deeply familiar with sake, were enthusiastically sampling and pairing the drinks, with a noticeable preference for sakes with a rich sweetness that pairs well with Hawaiian cuisine.

A Culinary Delight

The food served at the event was generously provided by ZIGU, a popular restaurant in Waikiki known for its farm-to-table concept. The name “ZIGU” comes from the Japanese phrase “地を喰らう” (to eat from the land), reflecting their philosophy of sourcing local ingredients.

At the beginning of the evening, a ZIGU representative explained the specially curated dishes prepared to complement the sake.

One standout dish was “Ono” sashimi. Ono is a local Hawaiian term for kamasu sawara, a fish known for its slim, blade-like appearance. In Hawaii, other fish also have unique names: tuna is called “Ahi,” and mahi-mahi refers to dolphinfish.

The menu also featured yuzu-miso-grilled salmon, steak, sushi, soba, and more. Each dish offered the perfect pairing with sake, from junmai to daiginjo varieties. Sharing these pairings with sake enthusiasts was a truly enjoyable experience.

A Memorable Birthday

To my delight, this day also happened to be my 28th birthday.

During the dinner, the sake brewers sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate my birthday. Their warmth and kindness moved me deeply, and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears of happiness. Thank you so much to everyone who celebrated with me.

Adding to the evening’s charm, a hula dance teacher and live musicians performed Hawaiian music, enhancing the atmosphere with the island’s spirit.

Later in the evening, I had the honor of dancing a hula with the teacher to the song Wahine ‘Ilikea. This beautiful Hawaiian song compares white flowers and misty mountains to a fair-skinned woman, with its title translating to “Fair-Skinned Woman.”

Although it was my first time dancing the hula, I followed the teacher’s graceful movements as best as I could. The smiles and applause from the audience, combined with the serene Hawaiian setting, made it an unforgettable experience.

Towards the end of the event, the brewers joined me on stage, and we danced together to a lively song, bringing the evening to a joyful close filled with laughter and camaraderie.

The Kuramoto Dinner was a heartwarming blend of Hawaii’s friendly, relaxed atmosphere and the meticulous hospitality of Japanese culture.

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in Joy of Sake Honolulu, Kokusai Sake Kai, and the brewers who attended. This unforgettable birthday celebration will remain a cherished memory for the rest of my life.

I will continue striving to promote Japanese sake to people around the world, carrying the gratitude and lessons I’ve gained from this experience.

Thank you all so much!

Kotoko Yamada
2023 Miss Sake Japan