Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On April 15, the 2026 Miss SAKE India Competition was held at Robata Kofura Phoenix Palladium in India. I had the honor of attending as one of the judges, witnessing the finalists as they expressed their passion for Japanese culture and their determination to serve as ambassadors promoting sake to the world. I was also accompanied by Ms. Mika Onishi, Representative Director of our Miss SAKE association.
About the 2026 Miss SAKE India Competition
The Miss SAKE India Competition is part of the international Miss SAKE program, aimed at nurturing ambassadors who share the appeal of sake from India to the world. This year’s event was once again organized by Mr. Kojiro Honda of Subhirohama Corporation. Mr. Honda has supported the expansion of the Japanese restaurant “Kuraku” into India and has been actively involved in its local management.
For this event, the venue was generously provided, and guests were treated to a variety of Japanese dishes that pair beautifully with sake, enhancing the authentic Japanese atmosphere throughout the space. A total of seven finalists participated, primarily from Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore. They included students studying Japanese as well as working adults with a deep interest in Japanese culture, such as anime and manga. Dressed in yukata, each contestant impressed the audience with her sincerity and dedication, carrying a strong passion for Japan.
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Connecting Through Culture: Performances on Stage
The event opened in a vibrant and festive atmosphere with a powerful taiko drum performance. Mr. Kojiro Honda, the organizer, began by sharing his expectations for the competition and his vision for strengthening ties between Japan and India. This was followed by opening remarks from Mr. Toshihiro Kaneko, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai, who spoke about the significance of appointing ambassadors of sake and Japanese culture in India. As 2025 Miss SAKE Japan, I also had the opportunity to introduce the activities of Miss SAKE to the audience in English.
The panel of judges was then introduced, consisting of the following members:
- Mr. Toshihiro Kaneko, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Mumbai
- Ms. Mika Eoka, Representative of Mika Sake Global Inc.
- Ms. Aakansha Srivastava, 2025 Miss SAKE India
- Ms. Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan
Ms. Eoka, known as India’s first WSET Sake Educator, shared insights from her professional and educational perspective, highlighting the health-related benefits of sake as well as its diverse ways of enjoyment, incorporating a local viewpoint. Ms. Aakansha Srivastava, 2025 Miss SAKE India, delivered a passionate speech reflecting on her experiences over the past year, sharing the value of sake she has come to appreciate and the reactions she encountered within India.
The judging process consisted of self-introductions and Q&A sessions with the judges. Each finalist showcased her individuality through a variety of performances, including traditional Indian dance set to local music, singing Japanese songs, and demonstrations of calligraphy and haiku.
What stood out most was their passion for Miss SAKE. Their ability to incorporate Japanese language and culture while expressing their aspirations as the next Miss SAKE India was deeply inspiring. Many contestants also spoke about the significance of promoting sake in India, a country rich in religious and cultural diversity, emphasizing both its cultural value and its perceived health benefits.
Their profound love for Japan—at times even surpassing that of Japanese people—and their strong commitment to cultural exchange left a lasting impression on me.
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A New Ambassador is Crowned
Following the judging, Ms. Nishita Yogesh Antarkar was crowned the Grand Prix winner of the 2026 Miss SAKE India Competition. Hailing from Mumbai, she is an accomplished business professional with both intelligence and elegance. Her performance featured a traditional Indian dance, and during the Q&A session, she impressed the judges with her fluent Japanese, drawing on her study abroad experience in Japan while thoughtfully addressing how to promote sake within India’s diverse cultural and religious landscape. She was presented with a sash and certificate by Mr. Kaneko and Ms. Aakansha Srivastava.
The runners-up were Ms. Proyanka Sarkar from Bangalore, who works at a Japanese restaurant, and Ms. Sakshi Khari, a student from Delhi. Both demonstrated a deep understanding of Japanese culture—Ms. Sarkar through a graceful Japanese fan dance, and Ms. Khari through calligraphy of the kanji “Kizuna” (bonds), accompanied by a haiku.
At the moment of the announcement, the venue was filled with applause and celebration. Over the coming year, they will serve as members of the 2026 Miss SAKE team, sharing the beauty of sake and Japanese culture from India to the world. We sincerely appreciate your continued support.
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Strong Interest in the Birth of Miss SAKE India
The 2026 Miss SAKE India Competition attracted significant attention across India. More than 164 online articles covered the event, including major media outlets with a reach of up to 1.1 billion views, reflecting the high level of public interest. These responses highlight a growing enthusiasm for ambassadors who promote the appeal of sake and Japanese culture while connecting India and Japan. As Miss SAKE, we hope that opportunities like this will further deepen cultural exchange between the two countries.
▼Read the article here
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/miss-sake-india-2026-crown-goes-to-nishita-yogesh-antarkar/ar-AA2188Yq
Through the 2026 Miss SAKE India Competition, I was once again struck by the strong interest in Japanese culture within India, a country rich in diversity. It reaffirmed the significance and potential of promoting sake as a cultural bridge that transcends differences in food and religion. I feel deep respect and great anticipation for the young women, like this year’s finalists, who will serve as ambassadors and share the charm of sake not only within India but across the globe.
Moving forward, as Miss SAKE, I am determined to further deepen my understanding of the cultural value of sake and to continue sharing its appeal with people around the world who have an interest in Japan.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
