Hello, everyone.

This is Kotoko Yamada, 2023 Miss SAKE Japan.

In the early days of November, as the season invites us to seek the warmth of sunlight, I had the honor of attending ProWein Mumbai 2024 and making a courtesy visit to the Consul General of Japan in Mumbai, Mr. Koji Yagi. These visits were made under the guidance of our foundation’s Executive Director, Mika Onishi.

＜Cross-Border Collaboration with 2024 Miss SAKE India, Menka Rai＞

Cross-Border Collaboration with 2024 Miss SAKE India, Menka Rai

Menka Rai, crowned 2024 Miss SAKE India, has been actively working as a bridge between Japan and India since her appointment in February 2024. She continues to share the charm of Japanese sake and culture across India.

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of serving as a judge at the 2024 Miss SAKE India competition. I vividly recall how Menka captivated us judges with her warmth and outstanding presentation skills as she shared her passion for Japanese sake and culture.

Menka also graciously attended the 2024 Miss SAKE Final Selection event, further strengthening the bond between our countries and shared missions.

Exploring Japanese Culture with 2024 Miss SAKE India, Menka Rai

After the Miss SAKE India competition, Menka had the chance to visit various areas in Japan, starting in Kyoto and traveling to different regions across the country. During her trip, she experienced many aspects of Japanese culture and visited several sake breweries.

She told me how impressed she was by the “harmony of nature and skill” that goes into making sake. She said, “Thanks to Japan’s pure water and rice, such beautiful flavors are created,” and her excitement truly inspired me.

Menka’s videos about her time in Japan have become very popular on social media in India. During our activities, some young Indians even recognized her, saying, “You’re the sister from the Japan videos!” Seeing how much effort she puts into sharing Japanese culture made me so proud.

This event was the first time Menka and I worked together across borders to promote sake and Japanese culture. Working with Menka showed me how Miss SAKE’s activities are spreading around the world, and it gave me so much hope for the future.

＜Courtesy Visit to the Consul General of Japan in Mumbai＞

I had the honor of visiting the Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai, accompanied by Mr. Kojiro Honda of Hirohama India, who oversees various dining and hospitality businesses in India,  “Kuuraku.” Joining us were Ms. Mika Onishi, Chairperson of the Miss SAKE Association, and 2024 Miss SAKE India, Ms. Menka Rai. We had the privilege of meeting with His Excellency Mr. Koji Yagi, Consul General of Japan in Mumbai.

Mr. Yagi, who assumed his post in April 2024, has been working enthusiastically to strengthen ties between Japan and the people of Mumbai.

As a sake enthusiast himself, he shared kind and encouraging words with Menka, who has been actively promoting Japanese sake and culture as an ambassador in India. Watching Menka converse with the Consul General, even while feeling a little nervous, was a heartwarming reminder of the connections formed through mutual respect and cultural exchange.

During the visit, we had the opportunity to present the activities of both Miss SAKE and Miss SAKE India. It was truly inspiring to see how our shared mission of bridging cultures resonated with Mr. Yagi.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Consul General Yagi for taking the time to meet with us and for his support and encouragement. It was a meaningful experience for all of us.

＜Prowein Mumbai 2024＞

ProWein Mumbai is an international exhibition aimed at professionals in India’s hospitality, import/export, distribution, and retail sectors, focusing on wine and spirits. Held at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai, the event showcased a wide range of wines, spirits, craft beverages, and related products from around the world.

At ProWein Mumbai 2024, over 170 exhibitors from more than 17 countries gathered, presenting the unique qualities of their beverages across 7,000 square meters of exhibition space. The event also hosted educational forums, specialized masterclasses, and special programs like the “ProWine Bartender Competition” and the “ProWine & ProSpirits Challenge,” which celebrated exceptional talent and products. Notably, there were seminars dedicated to “Japanese Sake.”

Mumbai is a major market for wine and spirits in India, driven by high demand from affluent consumers, proximity to Nasik, one of the country’s premier wine regions, and a well-developed hospitality infrastructure. ProWein Mumbai has become an essential event for professionals in the wine and spirits industry.

At ProWein Mumbai 2024, many booths showcasing Japanese alcoholic beverages were set up, with the Japanese booth located right at the entrance attracting a lot of attention.

Menka and I had the opportunity to introduce various Japanese alcoholic beverages at several of these booths. It was a proud moment for me as a Miss SAKE to be able to present Japanese sake at such a global event. Seeing local attendees show great interest in the Japanese sake booths, asking thoughtful questions, made me feel deeply moved.

A particularly memorable moment from the day was when Menka, based on her experience during her Japan training, spoke about the appeal of Japanese sake in both English and Hindi. Her explanation that “sake is a special drink filled with nature and the craftsmanship of its makers, and I encourage everyone to give it a try” really resonated with the local audience. I was also delighted to explain how Japanese sake pairs wonderfully with the spices and rich flavors of Indian cuisine, and many people expressed their desire to try it.

I heard feedback like, “I didn’t know such delicate and beautiful drinks existed” and “I want to try more varieties,” which made me realize the great potential for Japanese sake in the Indian market.

Many attendees visited the Japanese booth, and some even said, “I didn’t know about sake, but I came because Miss SAKE was here.” It was such a joy to serve them their very first taste of Japanese sake. I’m so happy that we were able to spark their interest in it.

Through this experience, I was reminded of how exciting and important it is to share the beauty of Japanese sake and culture across countries.

Working with Menka, the 2024 Miss SAKE India, showed me how the Miss SAKE program is growing globally and how sharing the same love for “deliciousness” can create meaningful connections between people from different cultures.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude once again to Consul General Yagi, everyone I had the pleasure of working with at ProWein Mumbai, and everyone who supported this event.

Going forward, I will continue to strive to share the charm of Japanese sake and culture with even more people.

 

2023 Miss SAKE Japan

Kotoko Yamada