Hello everyone,
I’m Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Monday, November 17, I had the honor of delivering a guest speech at the Tokyo Chofu Rotary Club meeting, held at the Chofu Creston Hotel in Tokyo. As Miss SAKE Japan 2025, I spoke to the attendees about the mission of Miss SAKE as well as the fundamentals of Japanese sake.
About Rotary International
Rotary International is a global service organization made up of professionals from diverse fields who gather under the philosophy of “Service Above Self.” With more than 35,000 clubs across over 200 countries and regions, Rotary contributes to a wide range of initiatives, spanning from local community service to international humanitarian efforts. Each club values community-based activities while also engaging in international support, scholarship programs, and other projects aimed at fostering world peace and building a sustainable future.
Among these, the Tokyo Chofu Rotary Club, a member of Rotary International District 2750, currently has around 70 members. The club actively promotes community service and fellowship activities that reflect the unique characteristics of the region. Through the collaboration of experienced members, a vibrant network has been formed, and by fostering strong bonds across professions and generations—as well as supporting youth and future leaders—the club plays a vital role in shaping the future of the community.
Sharing the Appeal of Japanese Sake with the World
The meeting began with the Tokyo Chofu Rotary Club’s customary greeting of shaking hands with fellow attendees. Many members warmly approached me and said they were looking forward to the speech, which eased my nerves and created an inviting atmosphere. After several reports from club members, it was time for my presentation.
The theme of my talk was “Sharing the Appeal of Japanese Sake with the World – Miss SAKE’s Mission to Convey the Spirit of Japan.” I began by sharing my university experience, my early graduation, and my journey around the world—explaining how these experiences led me to pursue the Miss SAKE and what my current activities entail. Seeing so many members listen attentively gave me a renewed sense of responsibility.
I then introduced the basics of sake, including its ingredients, brewing process, and the growing popularity of “SAKE” abroad. When I mentioned that “Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing” was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2024, and that an increasing number of breweries are beginning local production overseas, the audience expressed surprise and interest. I was truly honored to provide an opportunity for attendees to experience the depth of Japanese sake culture.
-
- {“ARInfo”:{“IsUseAR”:false},”Version”:”1.0.0″,”MakeupInfo”:{“IsUseMakeup”:false},”FaceliftInfo”:{“IsChangeEyeLift”:false,”IsChangeFacelift”:false,”IsChangePostureLift”:false,”IsChangeNose”:false,”IsChangeFaceChin”:false,”IsChangeMouth”:false,”IsChangeThinFace”:false},”BeautyInfo”:{“SwitchMedicatedAcne”:false,”IsAIBeauty”:false,”IsBrightEyes”:false,”IsSharpen”:false,”IsOldBeauty”:false,”IsReduceBlackEyes”:false},”HandlerInfo”:{“AppName”:2},”FilterInfo”:{“IsUseFilter”:false}}
A Special Evening Accompanied by Japanese Sake
After the speech, dinner began, filling the room with warm conversations as colorful shared dishes were brought to each table. Sake, which enhances the flavors of the meal and enriches the atmosphere, played an important role in this special gathering.
Together with Ms. Mai Morita—first Miss SAKE—I introduced four carefully selected sake varieties.
■ Michizakura Junmai Ginjo Kuzuryu 55 Nama Genshu – Michizakura Brewery (Hokkaido)
Brewed with “Kuzuryu,” a sake rice from Fukui Prefecture. Once discontinued in 2003, it was brought back a decade later and is now considered a rare rice variety. Polished to 55%, it offers a gentle aroma, silky texture, refined sweetness, soft minerality, and a clean finish with a hint of pleasant bitterness.■ Pink Nigori Junmai “pipipi” – Ishii Shuzo (Saitama)
A naturally pink nigori sake made with red yeast, using no artificial coloring. It features a cute, yeast-derived color, a light mouthfeel, and a soft sweet-sour flavor. It can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or with soda.■ Sawanoi Tokyo Kurabito – Ozawa Shuzo (Tokyo)
A junmai ginjo brewed using the traditional kimoto method. Smooth on the palate with moderate acidity that enhances umami, it is elegant, well-balanced, and highly food-friendly.■ Okunokami Junmai Unadjusted “Nakadori” – Toshimaya Shuzo (Tokyo)
A junmai sake bottled exclusively from the nakadori portion—the most well-balanced segment of the pressing. With a gentle aroma and refined taste, it is crafted through small-batch, hands-on brewing and stored unfiltered and undiluted. The name “Okunokami” expresses the desire to “protect the roofs”—both the brewery’s “house” and the restaurants they serve.
I had the privilege of enjoying these dishes and sake together with Mr. Hideharu Yahata (President), Mr. Kazuo Tanabe (Vice President), and Mr. Toshihiro Shibuya (Secretary) of the Tokyo Chofu Rotary Club. Many attendees kindly expressed their desire to support young people and to help spread the appeal of Japanese sake. Their warm encouragement deeply moved me and strengthened my determination to fulfill my mission of sharing the beauty of Japanese culture as Miss SAKE.
Through this experience at the Tokyo Chofu Rotary Club, I was once again reminded of the importance of sharing the appeal of Japanese sake with the world. Witnessing members learn from one another across professions and generations, while contributing to both local and global communities, offered valuable guidance for my own activities. Receiving words of encouragement directly from attendees also reaffirmed how essential it is not only to disseminate information, but also to build genuine human connections in order to promote culture meaningfully.
Going forward, I will continue to share the charm of Japanese sake and Japan’s traditional culture both domestically and internationally, deepen my learning, and engage in efforts that contribute to people, communities, and the global society.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
