Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Tuesday, March 3, I had the honor of attending the “2025 Emperor’s Birthday Reception” hosted by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines at the Grand Hyatt Manila, where I had the pleasure of serving Japanese sake to all the guests in attendance.
About the Emperor’s Birthday Reception
The Emperor’s Birthday Reception is an official event organized by Japanese diplomatic missions overseas to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday on February 23. At these receptions, the Ambassador or Consul General delivers a congratulatory address, followed by a toast and a networking session with local government officials, Japanese residents abroad, and professionals from economic and cultural sectors. These events serve as valuable opportunities to deepen friendship and goodwill between Japan and the host country.
The reception features Japanese cuisine such as sushi, paired with sake and other Japanese ingredients, as well as showcases of traditional culture like flower arranging (ikebana) and Japanese dance. Regional governments and Japanese companies also set up booths to promote local products and tourism. In this way, the Emperor’s Birthday Reception not only introduces Japan’s culture and industries to the world but also plays an important diplomatic role in promoting international and economic exchange.
Japanese sake has played a key role in these diplomatic occasions as a symbol of Japanese culture. In 2011, a system was established to reliably transport sake to diplomatic missions overseas, and a guideline was set that, in principle, toasts at the Emperor’s Birthday Reception should be made with Japanese sake. Since then, sake has been served to dignitaries around the world, and it is estimated that over 200,000 bottles have been provided at diplomatic missions to date.
Promoting International Exchange with 35 Sake Brands
Thanks to collaboration with the National Tax Agency of Japan, we were able to offer an extensive selection of sake at this event. At the sake booth, in partnership with Philippine Wine Merchants, we served more than 30 different brands. Founded in 1975 by the Joseph brothers, the company is a leading importer and distributor of wine and spirits in the Philippines. It has long played a central role in the local beverage market, connecting producers worldwide with the Philippine market, and promoting a broad understanding of alcohol culture, including wine and Japanese sake, through events and other initiatives.
At the booth, a diverse range of guests enjoyed Japanese sake, including Japanese residents in the Philippines, staff from various foreign embassies, and representatives from major Philippine companies. Many attendees were trying sake for the first time, while others had rarely tasted it since their last visit to Japan. Using English, I engaged with guests to understand their preferred flavors, such as “fruity,” “crisp,” or “rich,” and recommended sake that suited their tastes. Fruity Junmai Daiginjo and Junmai Ginjo were particularly popular, with many guests enjoying brands such as Urakasumi – Junmai Daiginjo Yamadanishiki and Nanbu Bijin – Junmai Ginjo. Additionally, in honor of the Emperor’s Birthday Reception, Yokoyama (Shigeya Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo Princess Michiko, brewed with a yeast associated with Empress Emerita Michiko, drew particular attention. Seeing guests smile and exclaim “delicious!” when tasting the recommended sake brought me great joy and a strong sense of accomplishment. It was a wonderful reminder of how sake can connect people and create special moments.
The sake brands served at the reception were as follows:
- NITO (Maruishi Jozo) – Junmai Daiginjo Omachi 33
- JINYU (Nabedana Brewery) – Junmai Daiginjo
- KITAYA – Daiginjo Gokujo Shizuku Shibori
- DAISHICHI – Minowamon Junmai Daiginjo
- KOZAEMON (Nakashima Brewery) – Junmai Daiginjo Aiyama 40
- HYAKUJURO (Hayashi Honten) – Junmai Daiginjo Kurojura “Black Face”
- HAKUSHIKA (Tatsuuma Honke) – Junmai Daiginjo
- TATSURIKI (Honda Shoten) – Junmai Daiginjo Nihon No Sakura
- KAGATOBI (Fukumitsuya) – Junmai Daiginjo Ai
- KINRYO (Nishino-Kinryo) – Junmai Ginjo Setouchi Olive Yeast
- IZUMIBASHI (Izumibashi Shuzo) – Dragonfly Gold Junmai Daiginjo Kimoto Raku-fumai 35
- GEKKEIKAN (Gekkeikan Brewery) – Horin Junmai Daiginjo
- URAKASUMI (Saura Incorporated) – Junmai Daiginjo Yamadanishiki
- MASUMI (Miyasaka Jozo) – Nanago Junmai Daiginjo Yamahai Genshu Nakadori 40
- Koshi no Kanbai (Ishimoto Sake Brewery) – Junmai Daiginjo Kinmuku
- HAKKAISAN (Hakkaisan Brewery) – Junmai Daiginjo Kowagura
- MANOTSURU (Obata Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo Miku Koshitanrei
- CHIEBIJIN (Nakano Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo Yamadanishiki 35
- SANZEN (Kikuchi Shuzo) – Kimurashiki Kiseki No Osake Junmai Daiginjo Omachi 45
- AMABUKI (Amabuki Shuzo) – Junmai Omachi Saga no Hana Gin no Kurenai Pink Nadeshiko Yeast
- SHICHIDA (Tenzan Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo
- KAGAMIYAMA (Koedo Kagamiyama Brewery) – Junmai Daiginjo
- SANRENSEI (Mifuku Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo Red Wataribune #6 50
- OKUNOKAMI (Toshimaya Shuzo) – Ginkon Junmai Daiginjo Hattannishiki 50
- CHIYOMUSUBI (Chiyomusubi Shuzo) – Sorah Sparkling
- KUROUSHI (Nate Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo Kanzan
- TATENOKAWA – Junmai Daiginjo Soube Wase 2022
- DASSAI (Asahi Shuzo) – 23 Junmai Daiginjo
- NANBU BIJIN (Nanbu Bijin Brewery) – Junmai Ginjo
- SUIGEI (Suigei Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo Joh
- YOKOYAMA (Shigeya Shuzo) – Junmai Daiginjo Princess Michiko
- MIZUBASHO (Nagai Shuzo) – MIZUBASHO PURE
- SHICHIKEN (Yamanashi Meijo) – ONAKAYA
- TOYOTOMI BROS. (Nara Toyosawa Shuzo) – Toyotomi Bros.
- GOZENSHU (Tsujimoto Shoten) – Bodaimoto Nigori Sake
Showcasing the Charm of “Made in Japan”
The reception also featured a variety of booths introducing Japanese cuisine and industries. Highlights that drew particular attention included a tuna cutting show with sushi, juicy Wagyu beef, and Japanese strawberries such as “Amarin” from Saitama Prefecture and “Yayoi Hime” from Gunma Prefecture—offering visitors a hands-on experience of Japanese food culture. Many guests who enjoyed these dishes also visited the sake booth to find perfect pairings.
We recommended crisp Junmai Ginjo with sushi, rich full-bodied Junmai with Wagyu, and sparkling sake or Junmai Daiginjo with its floral aroma and gentle sweetness to pair with the strawberries. Guests were able to fully appreciate the harmony between the food and sake, discovering new appeal in Japanese sake. Many visitors returned multiple times, with some sampling nearly every brand available.
Outside the main hall, booths introduced Japanese industries such as manufacturing and tourism. Companies from sectors including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and digital transformation showcased their technology and products, highlighting the breadth and strength of Japan’s industries. I felt honored to meet many of these representatives directly and witness how Japan delivers value to the world through both tradition and cutting-edge technology.
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▼ Footage from the reception is also available on the YouTube channel “Philippines News & Topics” (ふぃるトピ！フィリピントピックス), where we were given the valuable opportunity to appear.
Through this reception, I once again realized the power of Japanese sake to connect people across countries and languages and to deepen understanding and interest in Japanese culture. I witnessed how sake can spark conversations, bring smiles, and inspire interest in Japan’s food culture and regional charms.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue to responsibly promote the depth of Japanese culture, regional uniqueness, and the passion of local people worldwide through sake. I will cherish every encounter, expanding the circle of exchange that sake creates, and strive to serve as a bridge connecting Japan and the world.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Kazuya Endo and the staff of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines for this highly honorable opportunity, as well as to all the guests who attended.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
