Hello everyone,

I am Kotoko Yamada, the 2023 Miss SAKE Japan.

In late October, I traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, to attend the Joy of Sake event along with several associated events, accompanied by our association’s representative director, Mika Onishi.

In this blog, I’d like to share details about the “Portfolio Tasting Event” organized by World Sake Imports, which took place the day before Joy of Sake, as well as the Welcome Party that followed.

＜Portfólio Tasting Event＞

At this event, sake from all over Japan was showcased for Hawaii’s restaurant and bar owners, including those who run izakayas and other Japanese dining establishments. The tasting was held at the popular Japanese restaurant Robata JINYA in Hawaii, where Chef Nakayama treated guests to some of his signature dishes.

Many brewers had come from Japan for this event, providing guests with a unique opportunity to hear directly from the brewers themselves.

The participating breweries included (in no particular order):

• Ishimoto Shuzo, Uchigasaki Shuzoten, Dewazakura Shuzo, Kinoshita Shuzo, Akita Shuzo, Shotoku Meijo, Yoshida Shuzoten, and Miyasaka Brewing Company, as well as Islander Sake from Japan.

I also assisted with introducing sake from Souhyo Shuzo, Kokuryu Shuzo, Nagurayama Shuzo, and Kamoizumi Shuzo at their respective booths.

World Sake Imports thoughtfully includes English explanations on their labels, along with maps showing the sake’s region of origin in Japan, making it easier for people in Hawaii to connect with the sake’s roots. It was lovely to see attendees look at the map on each bottle, saying, “Ah, this is from that region,” as they enjoyed the sake.

At the event, I had the pleasure of introducing sake at the booths and welcoming guests. Each sake has become special to me, having encountered them at brewery festivals and shared them around the world over the past year. I was grateful to share my personal recommendations on tasting notes and food pairings with the guests.

I was also thrilled to reconnect with a few alumni from my university days in Seattle! Talking about sake that pairs well with Hawaiian and Seattle cuisines reminded me of how meaningful it is to introduce sake as Miss SAKE. The knowledge and experience I’ve gained through the Nadeshiko Program and my time as the 2023 Miss SAKE have come full circle, and I’m deeply thankful to everyone who’s shared their expertise with me.

While at the booth, I asked guests about the types of sake that are popular in Hawaii. One izakaya owner mentioned that customers often order full-bodied sake to complement rich dishes like teriyaki. Doburoku, with its strong rice flavor, is especially popular among women, while men prefer well-balanced junmai sake. At another restaurant, patrons often pair lighter, dry sake with sushi and seafood. Due to Hawaii’s warm climate, sake is mostly enjoyed cold here, with different flavors and textures enhancing the dining experience.

It was a moment of realization for me—Hawaii, with its large Japanese-American community, has many people who truly appreciate the nuances of sake.

＜Welcome Party at Threadfin Bistro＞

After the Portfolio Tasting, we attended a welcome party at Threadfin Bistro, a local restaurant that brought together the Joy of Sake family . Sake was displayed along the counter, and brewers, members of World Sake Imports, and Joy of Sake members gathered to celebrate this reunion.

The chef at Threadfin Bistro had prepared fusion dishes inspired by Hawaiian flavors to pair with the sake.

The menu included:

• Carmelized Onion Tart, Feta, Chimichurri, Local Greens
• Fatty Salmon Crudo, Shiro Dashi, Apple, Basil
• Kona Kampachi, Tom Kah, Tomato, Mushroom
• Washugyu Steak, Salsa De Pasitas, LA Rioja Potatoes
• Chef Choice Dessert

Mr. Chris and Mr. Tasho from World Sake Imports spoke about the joy of reuniting in Honolulu, the growing popularity of sake in Hawaii, and the story of how they delivered sake in Hawaii for the first time.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of World Sake Imports’ first sake shipment to Hawaii, and they mentioned how they are excited for this connection to last another 25 years. It was incredibly moving to hear their stories and feel the warmth of everyone’s smiles.

During the event, I had the pleasure of learning new sake and food pairings from the brewers. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and warmth, and the time I spent there discovering new ways to enjoy sake will be something I cherish forever. Thank you very much.

I will also be posting about other events I attended in Hawaii, so I hope you’ll look forward to reading about those as well.

I am truly grateful to have been a part of this warm gathering of the Joy of Sake family. As someone who considers America a second home, it has been a profound experience to help spread the joy of sake in this part of the world. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

2023 Miss SAKE Japan
Kotoko Yamada