Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On June 10, I had the honor of attending the SAKE COMPETITION 2026 Awards Ceremony held at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY in Minato City, Tokyo. On this special occasion, I was entrusted with the privilege of presenting trophies and commemorative plaques to the award-winning breweries.
About SAKE COMPETITION
SAKE COMPETITION is a competition established in 2012 under the philosophy of creating a new standard that helps consumers discover truly outstanding sake, regardless of brand recognition or reputation. Its defining feature is a blind judging system in which only commercially available sake is evaluated, with all brand names and brewery information completely concealed, ensuring that entries are judged solely on the quality of the sake itself.
In 2026, the competition featured five categories—Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo, Super Premium, and Modern Natural—along with a newly established Awamori Category, created as a special commemorative division in celebration of the planned reconstruction of the main hall of Shuri Castle in autumn 2026. A total of 1,190 entries were submitted from 367 breweries worldwide, including 1,139 sake entries and 51 awamori entries.
Following a rigorous evaluation conducted in May by a panel of experts and industry professionals, the award-winning entries were announced at the awards ceremony. Today, SAKE COMPETITION is recognized as one of the most prestigious sake competitions both in Japan and internationally, making a significant contribution to improving quality standards and revitalizing the sake industry.
The Passion Behind Each Award-Winning Sake
Because the results of SAKE COMPETITION remain undisclosed until the day of the ceremony, a unique sense of anticipation and tension filled the venue. However, the moment the winning labels were announced, that tension instantly transformed into enthusiastic applause and cheers, and the entire hall became enveloped in an atmosphere of celebration. Many of the award-winning brewers shared heartfelt comments such as, “I want to share this joy with the brewery staff who have supported our sake-making journey,” and “This is an achievement we have long dreamed of, and I am truly overwhelmed with happiness.” Listening to their words allowed me to feel the tremendous dedication, perseverance, and passion behind each award.
One of the most memorable moments was the achievement of Imanishi Shuzo Brewery from Nara Prefecture, known for its flagship brand Mimurosugi, which captured two category titles for the first time in twelve years. During the acceptance speech, the brewery’s representative reflected on inheriting the family brewery at the age of 28 following the passing of his father. Despite facing concerns about an aging brewery and an uncertain future, he and his team continued striving toward their goal, inspired by the double-category victory achieved by Miyaizumi Meijo of Fukushima in the 2014 competition. Seeing him speak emotionally about finally realizing a dream they had pursued for many years deeply moved many people in attendance.
The experience reminded me once again that every bottle of sake is the result of countless hours of dedication by brewery owners, master brewers, and brewery staff who devote themselves wholeheartedly to their craft each day. I was also reminded that the stories of passion, perseverance, and continuous challenge behind each sake are among the greatest charms of Japanese sake itself.
SAKE COMPETITION 2026 Results
【Junmai Category】
1st Place: Imanishi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Nara Prefecture) — Mimurosugi Roman Series Dio Abita
2nd Place: Sasamasamune Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Fukushima Prefecture) — Sasamasamune Tokubetsu Junmai
3rd Place: Asama Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Gunma Prefecture) — Asamayama Natsujun
【Junmai Ginjo Category】
1st Place: Imanishi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Nara Prefecture) — Mimurosugi Roman Series Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki
2nd Place: Sendai Izawaya Katsuyama Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Miyagi Prefecture) — Katsuyama KIRAKIRA
3rd Place: Imanishi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Nara Prefecture) — Mimurosugi Junmai Ginjo
【Junmai Daiginjo Category】
1st Place: Aihara Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima Prefecture) — Ugo no Tsuki Junmai Daiginjo
2nd Place: Sanwa Shuzoten Co., Ltd. (Miyagi Prefecture) — Sanwa Junmai Daiginjo
3rd Place: Kodama Brewing Co., Ltd. (Akita Prefecture) — Taiheizan Junmai Daiginjo Tenkou
【Super Premium Category】
1st Place: Kiyasho Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Mie Prefecture) — Jikon Tokuto Omachi
2nd Place: Sumikawa Shuzojo Co., Ltd. (Yamaguchi Prefecture) — Toyo Bijin Kokorozashiso
3rd Place: Kamenoi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Yamagata Prefecture) — Kudoki Jozu Inochi Tobingakoi Daiginjo
【Modern Natural Category】
1st Place: Kawakei Shoten Partnership (Miyagi Prefecture) — Tachibanaya Junmai Ginjo
2nd Place: Hagiwara Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Tokushima Prefecture) — Hagiwara Yamahai Junmai
3rd Place: Joyo Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto Prefecture) — Experimental Brew 2025 Type-Kimoto
【Awamori Category】
＜Aged Awamori Division – Grand Prize＞
Higa Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Okinawa Prefecture) — ZANPA TORAKICHI 2022
＜General Awamori Division – GOLD＞
Izena Shuzosho Partnership (Okinawa Prefecture) — The IZENA 44 New Brew
Uehara Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Okinawa Prefecture) — Nanto Shinsen 30 New Brew
Zuisen Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Okinawa Prefecture) — Usaki 30 New Brew
＜Future Awamori Division – GOLD＞
Higa Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Okinawa Prefecture) — Zanpa Green Shikuwasa
Seifuku Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Okinawa Prefecture) — Seifuku Passion Fruit Liqueur
【Special Awards】
◆Diners Club Young Brewer Encouragement Award
Aihara Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima Prefecture) — Ugo no Tsuki Junmai Daiginjo
◆JAL Flying SAKE Award
Kawakei Shoten Partnership (Miyagi Prefecture) — Tachibanaya Junmai Ginjo
◆TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY Grand Opening Best Brewery Award
Imanishi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Nara Prefecture) — Mimurosugi
◆Executive Committee Chairman’s Award
Yoshida Shuzoten Co., Ltd. (Ishikawa Prefecture) — Yoshidagura u Hyakumangoku no Shiro
Through SAKE COMPETITION 2026, I once again had the opportunity to witness the remarkable depth of Japanese sake culture and the passion of the people who dedicate their lives to creating it. Behind every award-winning label lies a story of continuous effort, innovation, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to sake brewing. Listening to the words of gratitude and joy expressed by the award recipients reminded me that each bottle of sake carries not only exceptional flavor, but also the dreams, struggles, and stories of the people behind it.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue to share not only the appeal of Japanese sake itself, but also the history, culture, regional identity, and heartfelt dedication of the people who create it, both within Japan and around the world.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
