Hello everyone,
I’m Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Friday, October 3rd, I had the honor of appearing on stage at the “Kan Sake Award 2025” Ceremony, held at the Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall of the International House of Japan.
This year, I was given the special privilege of assisting with the presentation of trophies to the award-winning breweries on stage, alongside singer-songwriter Junko Yagami, who had come to Japan from Los Angeles for her performance at the upcoming “Gami Festival.”
About the Kan Sake Award
The Kan Sake Award is the only competition in the world that evaluates and celebrates sake that tastes best when warmed.
Sake has the unique characteristic of being enjoyable at a wide range of temperatures and has long been loved in Japan as kanzake—warm sake.
When gently heated, sake develops deeper umami and richness, enhancing flavor complexity. It also pairs beautifully with food, as warming helps cut through oils and enriches the dining experience.
For this reason, it is often called the “ultimate table sake.”
However, since the 1980s, with the rise in popularity of chilled sake, the idea that “good sake should be served cold” became widespread. In response to this trend, the Kan Sake Award was established to recognize sake that reveals its finest qualities when warmed, through expert tasting and evaluation.
Award-winning sakes not only offer drinkers new discoveries in flavor but also serve as a testament to the skill of brewers and the remarkable diversity of Japanese sake culture.
The Kan Sake Award plays a vital role in passing down the unique culture of kanzake to future generations and in promoting new ways to enjoy sake worldwide.
With respect for the passion and craftsmanship of the brewers
Following the opening remarks by Mr. Tadashi Masumoto, Chairperson of the Executive Committee, a guest address by Mr. Norio Yamana of the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, and judging commentary by Mr. Yukio Hamada, the award ceremony began.
The ceremony was hosted by Ms. Ritsuko Shimada, a well-known sake stylist.
Together with Ms. Junko Yagami, I had the pleasure of assisting with the trophy presentations to the winning breweries.
Meeting each brewer in person—individuals who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the art of sake making—and being able to hand them their trophies while offering heartfelt congratulations was truly an unforgettable experience.
Witnessing their joyful expressions, which reflected years of craftsmanship and daily devotion, reminded me once again of the depth of Japanese sake and the profound passion of its creators.
It was an honor to share in such a celebratory moment and to stand on stage alongside these remarkable artisans.
The following breweries received the Highest Gold Award this year.
<Value Warm Sake Category>
“Sawanoizumi Classic Label” – Ishikoshi Brewing Co., Ltd. (Miyagi)
“Hokushika Honjozo Kimoto” – Hokushika Co., Ltd. (Akita)
“Hatsumago Mine no Sekkei Tokubetsu Honjozo” – Tohoku Meijo Co., Ltd. (Yamagata)
“Sasanokawa Amanotsubu Mukashi-jitate Junmai” – Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Fukushima)
“Tokusen Kome Ichizu Yamada Nishiki” – Koyama Honke Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Saitama)
“Takanoi Seishu” – Takanoi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Niigata)
“Echigo Toji Honjozo Karakuchi” – Kinshihai Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Niigata)
“Kanchiku Tokubetsu Junmaishu” – Totsuka Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Nagano)
“Josen Sake Pack Kimoto Karakuchi” – Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (Hyogo)
“Harushika Honjozo Kiwami” – Imanishi Seibei Shoten Co., Ltd. (Nara)
“Josen Taiheiyo” – Ozaki Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Wakayama)
<Value Hot Sake Category>
“Hokushika Kimoto” – Hokushika Co., Ltd. (Akita)
“Tenju Seisen” – Tenju Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Akita)
“Okunomatsu Kinmon Honjozo Karakuchi” – Okunomatsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Fukushima)
“Kaito Otokoyama Karakuchi” – Kaito Otokoyama Shuzo (Fukushima)
“Tokubetsu Honjozo Taiyozakari” – Taiyo Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Niigata)
“Eikan Shiramayumi” – Kaba Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Gifu)
“Gokujou Miya no Yuki” – Miyazaki Honten Co., Ltd. (Mie)
“Kiku-Masamune Josen” – Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (Hyogo)
“Seikyo Chokarakuchi” – Nakao Brewery Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima)
“Gekkeikan Traditional” – Gekkeikan Sake (U.S.A.) Inc. (California, USA)
<Premium Warm Sake Category>
“Bishu Ranman Tokubetsu Junmaishu” – Akita Meijo Co., Ltd. (Akita)
“Sasanokawa Junmaishu” – Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Fukushima)
“Junmai Ginjo Seiun” – Seiun Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Saitama)
“Kinoene Junmai Yawaraka Chi no Megumi” – Iinumahonke Co., Ltd. (Chiba)
“Kinoene Junmai Ginjo Hanayaka Takumi no Ka” – Iinumahonke Co., Ltd. (Chiba)
“Ginjo Hakuryu” – Hakuryu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Niigata)
“Minatoya Tosuke Junmai Daiginjo” – Shirataki Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Niigata)
“Sakae Miyama Nishiki Junmai Ginjo” – Gotemba Ishikawa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Shizuoka)
“Eikun Junmaishu Koto Sennen” – Saito Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Kyoto)
“Chotokusen Shirayuki Edo Genroku no Sake (Reproduction) Genshu” – Konishi Brewing Co., Ltd. (Hyogo)
“Hamafukutsuru Junmai Daiginjo” – Koyama Honke Shuzo Nada Hamafukutsuru Brewery (Hyogo)
“Hakubotan Junmai Daiginjo Yusei” – Hakubotan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima)
“Kamoizumi Junmai Ginjo Shusen Hon Shikomi” – Kamoizumi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima)
“Narutotai Junmai Chokarakuchi Tomoe” – Honke Matsuura Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (Tokushima)
“Shusen Eiko Laugh with SAKE Junmai Ginjo” – Eiko Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Ehime)
<Premium Hot Sake Category>
“Rokkon Junmai Yuki” – Matsu-midori Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Aomori)
“WHITE Joji” – Okunomatsu Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Fukushima)
“Mizubasho D’s Vintage” – Nagai Sake Inc. (Gunma)
“Maeda Toshiie Ko Tokubetsu Junmai” – Yachiya Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Ishikawa)
“Ima Nishiki Tokubetsu Junmaishu” – Yonezawa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Nagano)
“Sakae Hitogokochi Junmai Ginjo” – Gotemba Ishikawa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Shizuoka)
“Kamitsuru Sen Junmai Ginjo Dewasansan” – Tsurumi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Aichi)
“Zaku Yozan Ittteki Sui” – Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten Co., Ltd. (Mie)
“Hakodate Bugyo Junmai Ginjo” – Konishi Brewing Co., Ltd. (Hyogo)
“Kan Nihonkai Junmai Muroka” – Nihonkai Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Shimane)
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. Takuya Kano, Chairman of the Executive Committee, delivered closing remarks, bringing the event to a graceful close.
Through this year’s Kan Sake Award 2025 Ceremony, I truly realized how this competition serves as an important guide for consumers when selecting sake. In particular, kanzake is the perfect companion during the colder months, warming both the body and heart while expanding the possibilities of pairing sake with food. I sincerely hope that this will further increase appreciation for sake as a table beverage, enjoyed in everyday dining.
Please take the opportunity to explore the rich world of sake pairing by trying it at different temperatures and discovering its depth and complexity for yourself.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
