Hello everyone,
I am Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Monday, February 23, I had the honor of attending the 2026 Miss SAKE Mie Competition, held at Noasobi-dana, as a member of the judging panel.
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About the 2026 Miss SAKE Mie Competition
The 2026 Miss SAKE Mie Competition is a regional selection event held to choose an ambassador who will promote the appeal of Mie Prefecture’s sake and the value of Japanese culture both domestically and internationally. Organized by the Mie Competition’s brand partner, Sakeno Mise Morishita, the event took place within Okage Yokocho in Ise City.
Set in the historic town surrounding Ise Grand Shrine—a place where Japan’s history and spiritual traditions continue to live on—the competition marked a memorable occasion celebrating the birth of the new “2026 Miss SAKE Mie,” who will connect Mie to the rest of Japan and the world.
As the 2025 Miss SAKE Japan Grand Prix, I also delivered a congratulatory message to celebrate and encourage the newly selected representative, who will carry forward the stories of tradition and history from this land often regarded as the spiritual origin of Japan.
■ Finalists
Ms. Hanako Yamaguchi
Ms. Seina Kawahara
Ms. Kana Nishiguchi
Ms. Ayaka Sonoda
The judging process evaluated candidates from multiple perspectives, including:
・a three-minute Self-PR presentation,
・a Sake Tasting Assessment, in which contestants described aroma and flavor in their own words, and
・an Information Communication Assessment focused on how they would share the charm of sake with the world.
In addition to knowledge of sake, candidates were comprehensively evaluated on their international outlook and aptitude as cultural ambassadors.
■ Judges
Ms. Tomoe Hamada (President & CEO, Akafuku Co., Ltd. / Ise Fuku Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Toshiaki Ayano (President & CEO, Sukaya Kimono Store)
Mr. Shinpei Gensaka (Executive Director, Gensaka Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Takuma Morishita (President & CEO, Sakeno Mise Morishita)
Chisato Tateno (2025 Miss SAKE Japan)
Following careful deliberation by the judging panel, Ms. Hanako Yamaguchi was selected as the Grand Prix winner and appointed 2026 Miss SAKE Mie, while Ms. Seina Kawahara received the Runner-up award.
With a Passion for Sake and a Vision for the Future
Drawing strength from her experiences overcoming the challenges of hearing impairment, Ms. Yamaguchi shared her strong aspiration to promote the unique diversity of Mie’s sake—shaped by the prefecture’s long north-to-south geography and varied climate—throughout Japan and across the world.
Ms. Kawahara also left a lasting impression by expressing how sake serves as a bridge connecting people and cultures, demonstrating both deep understanding of Japanese culture and sincere passion for its promotion.
As the newly selected Mie representative, Ms. Yamaguchi will participate in the official training program, the Nadeshiko Program, where representatives from across Japan study sake knowledge, kimono dressing, traditional crafts, and international cultural understanding before advancing to the 2026 Miss SAKE Japan Final Selection.
The competition attracted extensive media coverage, reflecting strong expectations for this new cultural ambassador who will share sake culture nurtured by Mie’s rich natural environment and long history. I sincerely hope you will continue to follow the journeys of these women as they help shape the future of Japanese sake culture from Mie to the world.
Through the 2026 Miss SAKE Mie Competition, I was once again reminded that sake is deeply connected to regional climate, history, and the heartfelt spirit of the people. In Mie Prefecture—home to sacred traditions centered around Ise Grand Shrine—sake embodies respect for nature, prayer, and memories of everyday life passed down through generations.
From every word spoken by the finalists, I felt a powerful determination to pass sake on to the future not merely as a beverage, but as a living cultural heritage. Their dedication represents the strength of the next generation who will carry Japanese sake culture forward, and as a judge, I was deeply moved.
Furthermore, as Miss SAKE, I reaffirmed that regional competitions provide invaluable opportunities to rediscover the unique cultures and values rooted in each locality. It is through the accumulation of passion and challenges born in these regions that sake culture continues to grow richer and expand onto the global stage.
I wholeheartedly support Ms. Yamaguchi as she begins her new journey as the Mie representative, along with all finalists who took on this challenge. As for myself, I will continue striving to serve as a bridge connecting people, regions, and the world through sake while sharing the enduring beauty of Japanese culture.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
