Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On October 21 (Tuesday), I had the honor of attending “The 8th AWA SAKE Association Certification Presentation Ceremony,” held at Sake Shokudo Toranomon Distillery located in Toranomon Hills, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
About the AWA SAKE Association
The AWA SAKE Association was established in 2016 under the philosophy of “Preserving Japan’s traditional culture, refining its essence and craftsmanship, and aspiring to become the world’s leading celebratory drink.”
Comprising sake breweries from across Japan that produce sparkling sake, the Association strives to enhance quality and expand the market for this new category of Japanese sake.
Only brands that meet strict quality standards and pass inspection by a third-party organization are certified as “AWA SAKE.” Characterized by the delicate bubbles and refined flavors created through secondary fermentation, AWA SAKE represents Japan’s unique contribution to the world of celebratory beverages.
Today, 33 breweries nationwide are members of the Association, with 44 brands officially recognized as AWA SAKE Certified Sake.
AWA SAKE - 世界の顔を輝かせたい。きらめく泡をお米から。
AWA SAKE - 世界の顔を輝かせたい。きらめく泡をお米から。
A Vision in Bubbles – Toward the Future
The ceremony began with an opening address by Mr. Noriyoshi Nagai, Representative Director of the AWA SAKE Association, followed by congratulatory remarks from Mr. Toshiaki Endo, Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the AWA SAKE Promotion Parliamentary League, and a toast led by Ms. Yuko Obuchi, Member of the House of Representatives.
During the Certification Presentation Ceremony, three newly certified AWA SAKE brands were introduced. Each brewery representative shared heartfelt reflections — some spoke of “a three-year journey toward certification,” while others described the Association as “a place for learning and growth.”
Their words conveyed deep passion for AWA SAKE brewing and sincere gratitude for this recognition. Following the presentations, tasting comments were shared for each of the three newly certified brands.
My heartfelt congratulations to all newly certified breweries on this remarkable achievement.
Newly Certified AWA SAKE (2025):
Raifuku sparkling STELLA NOVA – Raifuku Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Ibaraki Prefecture)
Organic Sparkling Kyo no Hoshi – Tamano Hikari Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto Prefecture)
SHIGEMASU AWA SAKE – Takahashi Shoten Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka Prefecture)
Bubbles Polished by Breweries Across Japan
At the reception, guests enjoyed a standing-style tasting featuring AWA SAKE Certified brands from across the country. With their fine effervescence, gentle texture, and perfect harmony of rice umami, soft sweetness, and crisp acidity, each AWA SAKE showcased a refined and modern expression of Japanese sake. The elegant aroma and refreshing finish made every sip a moment to savor.
The venue was filled with an atmosphere of quiet pride and reverence, and guests shared heartfelt toasts of “Kanpai with AWA SAKE!”
23 AWA SAKE Brands Served at the Ceremony:
Dewatsuru AWA SAKE “Asu-e” – Akita Seishu Co., Ltd. (Akita)
Kaika AWA SAKE – Daiichi Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (Tochigi)
Nanbu Bijin Awasake Sparkling – Nanbu Bijin Co., Ltd. (Iwate)
MIZUBASHO PURE – Nagai Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Gunma)
Urakasumi No.12 Sparkling Silver Label – Saura Co., Ltd. (Miyagi)
Kikuizumi Hitosuji – Takizawa Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Saitama)
Dewazakura AWA SAKE – Dewazakura Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Yamagata)
Hakkaisan Shiro-Koji Sparkling “Awa”– Hakkaisan Brewery Co., Ltd. (Niigata)
Ninki-Ichi Awa Sake Sparkling Junmai Daiginjo – Ninki Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Fukushima)
KOKURYU AWA “Jo” – Kokuryu Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (Fukui)
Raifuku sparkling STELLA NOVA – Raifuku Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Ibaraki)
Shichiken “Sora no Irodori” – Yamanashi Meijo Co., Ltd. (Yamanashi)
Masumi Sparkling – Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd. (Nagano)
Ayakiku AWA SAKE “Awakiku” – Ayakiku Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Kagawa)
Garyubai Sparkling Sake – Sanwa Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Shizuoka)
Kitaya Fiesta AWA SAKE – Kitaya Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka)
Eikun Sparkling Sake – Saito Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto)
SHIGEMASU AWA SAKE – Takahashi Shoten Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka)
Organic Sparkling Kyo no Hoshi – Tamano Hikari Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto)
Tenzan Sparkling Dosage Zero – Tenzan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Saga)
Akashitai Sparkling “Hanetai” – Akashi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Hyogo)
Yatsushika AWA SAKE “Hakkou” – Yatsushika Brewery Co., Ltd. (Oita)
Chiyomusubi SORAH – Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Tottori)
About “AWA SAKE Week at Toranomon Yokocho”
First held in 2024, “AWA SAKE Week at Toranomon Yokocho” is a collaborative event between Toranomon Yokocho—Tokyo’s hub of culinary excellence—and the AWA SAKE Association, which promotes sparkling sake throughout Japan. Last year’s inaugural event attracted approximately 2,700 visitors over eight days, serving around 3,000 glasses of AWA SAKE, drawing significant attention and acclaim.
Owing to its success, the second edition will take place in 2025, offering an even more immersive experience of the AWA SAKE world. During the event, a POP-UP bar featuring AWA SAKE from 22 breweries will appear, while 21 restaurants within Toranomon Yokocho will serve different AWA SAKE selections daily. Each venue will also offer special pairing menus designed to complement the refined bubbles and aromas of AWA SAKE, creating a unique gastronomic celebration of food and sake.
Event Overview — AWA SAKE Week at Toranomon Yokocho 2025
Dates: October 22 (Wed) – October 28 (Tue), 2025
Venue: Toranomon Yokocho, 3F Toranomon Hills Business Tower
Official Website: https://www.toranomonhills.com/events/2025/10/0203.html
Tickets: Advance ¥5,000 (6 tickets) / Same-day ¥5,500 (6 tickets)
*Same-day tickets may sell out without prior notice.
Ticket Site: https://japanawasake.peatix.com/
Organizers: Mori Building Co., Ltd. and AWA SAKE Association
Support: WELCOME Co., Ltd.
Planning & Operation: GORI-YAKU Inc.
Participating Breweries Schedule:
Oct 22 (Wed): Chiyomusubi (Tottori), Yatsushika (Oita), Saito Shuzo (Kyoto), Kitaya (Fukuoka)
Oct 23 (Thu): Akita Seishu (Akita), Nanbu Bijin (Iwate), Miyasaka (Nagano), Ayakiku (Kagawa)
Oct 24 (Fri): Kokuryu (Fukui), Takahashi (Fukuoka), Ninki Shuzo (Fukushima)
Oct 25 (Sat): Sanwa (Shizuoka), Takizawa (Saitama), Tamano Hikari (Kyoto), Akashi (Hyogo)
Oct 26 (Sun): No Brewery Attendance / POP-UP Only
Oct 27 (Mon): Yamanashi Meijo (Yamanashi), Tenzan (Saga), Saura (Miyagi)
Oct 28 (Tue): Nagai (Gunma), Daiichi (Tochigi), Dewazakura (Yamagata), Hakkaisan (Niigata)
Through this 8th AWA SAKE Association Certification Presentation Ceremony, I was deeply inspired by the innovation and dedication of Japan’s brewers, who continue to refine their craft while preserving tradition.
AWA SAKE—where heritage meets innovation—truly represents the future of Japanese sake culture on the global stage.
As Miss SAKE Japan, I am determined to continue sharing the elegance and brilliance of AWA SAKE with people both in Japan and around the world.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
