Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Wednesday, March 4, I had the honor of conducting a Japanese sake seminar for approximately 50 students at Enderun Colleges in the Philippines, a prestigious institution, as part of a cultural program organized by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. I was accompanied by Mr. Hiroaki Shibahara of Philippine Wine Merchants, Ms. Mika Onishi, Representative Director of the Miss SAKE Association, and Ms. Sayuri Murayama, 2025 Miss SAKE Philippines.
About Enderun Colleges
Enderun Colleges is a four-year hospitality and culinary institution located in Manila, Philippines. Under an English-language curriculum, the school offers programs such as International Hospitality Management designed for careers in the hotel and tourism industries, while also providing hands-on training and internships to cultivate practical skills.
The institution also maintains collaborative programs with renowned international schools such as École Ducasse, creating a diverse and globally oriented learning environment with students from many different countries. Its graduates go on to work at leading hotels and restaurants both in the Philippines and around the world, and the school is highly regarded as a place where students develop the expertise and language skills required for the international stage.
Students’ Impressions of “Japan”
To begin the seminar, I asked the students what came to mind when they heard the word “Japan.” Many responses included anime such as One Piece and Demon Slayer, Japanese food culture like sushi and ramen, and iconic symbols of nature such as Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms. Many students shared positive impressions of Japan, and their strong enthusiasm for Japanese pop culture was especially evident.
I then introduced the role of sake in Japanese culture. Sake can be considered a crystallization of Japanese culture, born from the harmony of regional natural environments, long-standing traditions deeply rooted in daily life, and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Using photographs and small cultural insights, I explained these aspects, and many students listened attentively with great interest and curiosity.
In particular, when I introduced the scene of kuchikami-sake (chewed rice sake) from the film Your Name., many students excitedly called out, “It’s Your Name!” It was a moment that vividly illustrated the connection between traditional culture and modern pop culture in Japan. I also shared that Japan has the largest number of companies in the world that have been operating for over 100 years, and that the sake brewing industry is one of the sectors with especially long histories. Hearing this, the students showed a strong interest in sake as a traditional cultural industry.
Many students were also interested in Japanese language and culture, and even after the lecture ended, a number of them came up to speak with me during the short break. We chatted about our favorite anime, and some asked questions about my career as a Japanese language teacher. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with them and deepen our exchange.
Discovering the Diversity of Sake and the Appeal of Pairing
After introducing the brewing process of sake and the proper ways to serve it, we moved on to the tasting session. Many participants mentioned that it was their first time drinking sake, but I was delighted to hear numerous positive reactions along with enthusiastic comments of “Delicious!”
For this session, we prepared four different sake selections paired with food:
- Mizubasho (Nagai Shuzo) – MIZUBASHO PURE Sparkling
- Onakaya (Yamanashi Meijo) – Junmai Daiginjo
Pairing Food: Cold Soba with Tinapa-Dashi - Toyotomi Bros. (Nara Toyosawa Shuzo) – Junmai Ginjo
Pairing Food: Shrimp Nigiri (Kinilaw-Style) - Gozenshu (Tsujimoto Shoten) – Bodaimoto Nigori Nama Genshu
Pairing Food: Chicken Adobo Yakitori
Among the participants, the most popular selection was the second sake, Onakaya – Junmai Daiginjo. When asked about the flavors they noticed, many students mentioned sweetness reminiscent of apples or cotton candy.
As a sake enjoyed on its own, Mizubasho PURE Sparkling also gained popularity for its refreshing effervescence and bright flavor. Meanwhile, the rich umami character of Toyotomi Bros. – Junmai Ginjo paired beautifully with the Shrimp Nigiri (Kinilaw-Style) and was highly appreciated. The pairing of Gozenshu – Bodaimoto Nigori Nama Genshu with Chicken Adobo Yakitori also attracted attention, with its acidity and gentle sweetness reminiscent of yogurt and lactic fermentation.
I was truly happy that so many students had the opportunity to try sake and not only experience its flavors but also discover the appeal of pairing it with Filipino cuisine. Both Japan and the Philippines share a food culture in which rice is a staple of everyday meals. Because of this shared foundation, it was especially meaningful to introduce the culture of enjoying sake alongside food and to explore how it can complement familiar dishes.
Through this visit to the school, I strongly felt the students’ deep interest in Japanese culture and their openness toward embracing new cultural experiences. As students studying culinary arts and hospitality who will one day work in restaurants, hotels, and dining scenes around the world, I sincerely hope that their experience of learning about Japanese culture and cuisine will inspire new ideas and connections in their future careers.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue sharing the depth of Japanese sake culture with the world—the nature, traditions, and dedication of artisans that have shaped it—while valuing opportunities for exchange with the food cultures and people of different countries. Through sake, I hope to continue serving as a bridge connecting Japan and the world.
Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved who made this valuable opportunity possible, and to the students and faculty of Enderun Colleges for their warm welcome.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
