Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Saturday, November 8th, I had the pleasure of participating in “Fussa Kura-biraki 2025” held in Fussa City, Tokyo.
The event took place across two breweries. I visited Ishikawa Shuzo together with 2025 Miss SAKE Aomori Yui Kudo, while 2025 Miss SAKE Nagano Misaki Uchida, and 2025 Miss SAKE Gifu Yuki Nakamura, visited Tamura Shuzojo.
At each brewery, we joined in the kagami-biraki (ceremonial sake barrel opening) and other event programs, interacting directly with visitors and sharing the charm, flavors, and unique history of each sake brewery. Spending time together with the local community and seeing the smiles that Japanese sake brings was an incredibly valuable and memorable experience.
About “Fussa Kura-biraki”
“Fussa Kura-biraki” is a community-based sake event centered around two breweries rooted in Fussa City, celebrating the completion of the new sake season. Through the growing global interest in SAKE culture, the event serves as an important opportunity to promote local industry and foster community vibrancy. This year, a smartphone stamp rally was held across the city, offering participants the chance to win luxurious prizes based on the number of locations they visited. The event created a warm and lively atmosphere, where sake became a bridge connecting the entire community.
At Ishikawa Shuzo, the day featured performances by Fujima Mitsuya and other shamisen artists, as well as a jazz live performance by President Yahachiro Ishikawa, blending traditional Japanese and Western music in a vibrant, harmonious atmosphere. Tasting quizzes and family-friendly game corners allowed visitors of all ages to enjoy the event. Additionally, the Nishitama Craft Beer Fest was held simultaneously, offering guests a unique opportunity to enjoy both Japanese sake and craft beer on the same day.
A Sake and Food Experience
At Ishikawa Shuzo, I had the honor of serving as the event host while circulating around the venue. Visitors lined up well before the opening to take part in the brewery tours and taste a variety of sake and beer.
The venue offered tasting of Ishikawa Shuzo’s signature sake, including the freshly pressed “Arabashiri” and limited-edition sake brewed specifically for the Kura-biraki. Fresh water drawn from 150 meters underground was also available at the food and drink booths, allowing visitors to enjoy sake at their own pace.
The event also highlighted the perfect pairing of sake and food. On-site restaurants, Shokudo Ishikawa and Italian Restaurant Fussa Beer Goya, served their signature dishes, while special pop-up booths offered treats made with sake lees, including sake buns, chiffon cakes, and meringue desserts. These delicacies added a delicious touch to the unique celebration of Kura-biraki.
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Smiles Across the Stage
The day began with a sacred ceremony at Kumagawa Shrine, near Ishikawa Shuzo, conducted by Chief Priest Noguchi. As prayers were offered and tamagushi (ritual offerings) presented, the venue was filled with a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
During the kagami-biraki, President Yahachiro Ishikawa and the Vice Chairman of the Haijima Station Shopping District joined six randomly selected visitors for the ceremony. With a resounding “Yoisho! Yoisho! Yoisho!” the wooden lid was broken open, and sake was poured directly from the barrel for a group toast. Sharing this joyous moment with so many participants was a truly special experience.
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Later, on the stage, shamisen performances by Fujima Mitsuya and her group, followed by a jazz live performance featuring President Ishikawa, created a beautiful harmony of Japanese and Western sounds. Guests enjoyed the music while taking in the lively yet relaxed atmosphere.
In the latter half of the event, a grand lottery was held. Among nearly 3,000 participants, six winners received luxurious prizes. The tension and anticipation were palpable as numbers were called, and once winners claimed their prizes, cheers and applause rang throughout the venue. Prizes included dining vouchers for Shokudo Ishikawa and Fussa Beer Goya, a set of six beers, an Otama Ham set, Arabashiri sake, and Kura-biraki limited-edition sake, bringing excitement and delight to the lucky recipients.
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Through this event, I was once again reminded of the power of sake to connect communities. Each cup nurtured with care carries the richness of nature, the skill of the brewers, the unique culture of the region, and the heartfelt intentions of those who gather. Seeing visitors come together, sharing sake, exchanging smiles, and connecting even with strangers, I deeply felt the warm bonds that sake fosters.
I am also truly grateful to Ishikawa Shuzo, where we Miss SAKE spent three months during the Nadeshiko Program, for giving us the opportunity to engage with so many sake enthusiasts and share the joys of Japanese sake. Drawing on the connections and insights gained at Fussa, I will continue to promote the charm of Japanese sake and culture to audiences near and far.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank everyone at Ishikawa Shuzo for their warm hospitality, and all the participants who shared this wonderful day with us.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
