Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Saturday, May 16, the “2026 Miss Amazake Final Selection Event” was held at Kanda Myojin Hall in Chiyoda City, Tokyo. I had the honor of serving as one of the judges throughout the selection process, from the in-person interviews to the final selection event, for this important occasion that marked the launch of the very first “Miss Amazake.” On the day of the final event, I also had the opportunity to introduce the activities of Miss SAKE together with 2025 Miss SAKE Runner-Up, Kana Hazuma.
About Miss Amazake
Miss Amazake is a new project themed around “Traditional Culture × Next Generation,” created with the goal of passing down Japan’s traditional and fermentation culture to future generations while sharing its appeal both in Japan and abroad. Jointly produced by “Miss SAKE,” which has spent the past 12 years cultivating ambassadors of Japanese culture, and “Bishoujo Zukan,” known for discovering and supporting many young talents, the project aims to nurture a new generation of ambassadors who can learn about the local culture, traditions, and fermentation heritage of Japan through amazake and communicate those charm in their own words. Culture is not only something to preserve, but also something that evolves with the times. Through the unique sensibilities and communication styles of younger generations, Miss Amazake seeks to create new ways of cultural expression that connect people, regions, and the world while expanding the possibilities of Japanese culture.
This year’s selection process focused not only on appearance, but also on the overall qualities required of ambassadors who can share Japanese culture and fermentation culture with the future. Through document screening, online selection via livestreams and video submissions, in-person interviews, and the final judging, candidates were carefully evaluated based on three main criteria: “expression and impression,” “communication and content,” and “international awareness and language ability.”
The following four individuals served as judges for the final selection event:
2026 Miss Amazake Final Selection Event Judges
• Yoshinori Iwata — Chairman, Japan Model Agency Association
• Miyuki Kaneko — Principal of Carriere Nail School / Vice Chairperson of the Japan Nailist Association / Vice Representative Director of the Japan Nailist Examination Center
• Matsumi Nagai — Executive Vice President, Nagai Sake Inc.
• Chisato Tateno — 2025 Miss SAKE Japan
Passion for Amazake
A total of 12 finalists gathered for this year’s final selection event, ranging in age from 10 to 29. Each participant attended with a deep passion for amazake, and it was especially impressive to see them walk onto the stage with youthful freshness, calm composure, and bright, sincere expressions. Afterward, each finalist gave a 90-second self-presentation on the runway. Some spoke about their passion for Miss Amazake in both Japanese and English, while others showcased Japanese traditional dance, singing performances, or even presented their aspirations through kamishibai-style storytelling. Every finalist expressed their individuality and strengths in their own unique way. Despite their nervousness and anxiety, each participant showed a strong determination to express themselves to the fullest as they pursued the goal of becoming Miss Amazake. This passion was deeply conveyed through their performances. A Q&A session with the four judges followed, during which the finalists sincerely spoke in their own words about what inspired them to pursue Miss Amazake, their love for amazake, and the cultural promotion activities they hope to undertake in the future.
Expanding Cultural Connections Through Amazake
While waiting for the judges’ final tally, 2025 Miss SAKE Runner-Up Kana Hazuma and I served amazake at the amazake bar and introduced the activities of Miss SAKE to the guests in attendance. I also shared some of my recent international activities promoting SAKE culture overseas.
Although amazake is non-alcoholic, it is highly nutritious and has long been enjoyed by people of all generations in Japan as a traditional fermented beverage. I once again felt that one of amazake’s unique charm lies in its ability to be enjoyed by people regardless of age, nationality, or religion.
As Miss SAKE, we have also engaged in cultural outreach activities for younger generations, including special educational workshops introducing amazake culture to elementary school students. This final selection event became another meaningful opportunity to share with attendees the new value of younger generations passing down the charm of amazake and Japanese culture through their own words and expressions.
皆さま、こんにちは。2025 Miss SAKE Japan 館農知里です。
11月11日(火)、横浜市内の小学校を訪問し、2023 Miss SAKE 宮城 千田瑞穂さんが担任を務める小学4年生のクラスで「甘酒手作り体験授業」に参加させていただきました。今回は、Miss SAKEとして、甘酒手作...
皆さま、こんにちは。2025 Miss SAKE Japan 館農知里です。
11月11日(火)、横浜市内の小学校を訪問し、2023 Miss SAKE 宮城 千田瑞穂さんが担任を務める小学4年生のクラスで「甘酒手作り体験授業」に参加させていただきました。今回は、Miss SAKEとして、甘酒手作...
Future Moments Begin Here
The results of the 2026 Miss Amazake Final Selection Event are as follows:
2026 Miss Amazake Results
Grand Prix: Ai Shirai (19)
Runner-Up: Sena Sato (14)
Runner-Up: Yuzuki Oka (13)
Special Judges’ Award: Aika (12)
MixChannel Award (Online Selection): Marin Yamada (25)
Grand Prix winner Ai Shirai (19) is currently a university student engaged in scientific research. She sincerely presented her aspiration to promote the health benefits and value of amazake from an academic perspective through a kamishibai-style presentation.
The Runner-Up winners were Sena Sato (14) and Yuzuki Oka (13). Sato showcased a dance performance inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics using folding fans, incorporating her years of experience in cheer dance. Oka shared her wish to “spread amazake around the world and help create a peaceful world” while displaying her handwritten calligraphy works featuring the words “Peace” and “Amazake.” She also spoke fluently in English about her desire to share the health benefits and charm of amazake globally.
In addition, Aika (12) received the Special Judges’ Award, while Marin Yamada (25) received the MixChannel Award for the online selection round.
Going forward, the winners are expected to engage in a wide range of activities to promote amazake culture, including amazake production projects with long-established breweries, international cultural activities through the Miss SAKE network, media appearances, event participation, and SmartNews features. They are also scheduled to appear on stage and walk the runway at the “2026 Miss SAKE Final Selection Event” hosted by the Miss SAKE Association at The Westin Miyako Kyoto.
At the conclusion of the event, we received remarks from Matsumi Nagai, Executive Vice President of Nagai Sake Brewery. She shared words of encouragement and expectation for the finalists as ambassadors who will carry the Japanese culture of amazake into the future and out to the world. It was especially memorable to see the finalists listening with such sincere and attentive expressions.
Through the 2026 Miss Amazake Final Selection Event, I once again realized that amazake is not merely a traditional beverage, but also something that can connect people across generations and nationalities while serving as a gateway to deeper interest in Japanese culture. I was also deeply moved by the realization that Japan’s traditional amazake culture holds the potential to create entirely new appeal and possibilities when combined with the sensibilities and expressive power of the next generation.
I sincerely hope you will continue to warmly support the activities of the 2026 Miss Amazake members. I also hope that amazake, one of Japan’s proud fermentation traditions, will continue to become a familiar and meaningful part of daily life for people around the world.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
