Hello everyone,
I am Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Saturday, February 14, I had the pleasure of attending the “SHIZUOKA SAKE” Experience in Asakusa, held at WASAKE Sake Experience in Asakusa, Tokyo.
About the Event
This one-day pop-up event was hosted at WASAKE Sake Experience, a sake experience facility in Asakusa, Tokyo, and offered visitors a chance to discover the appeal of Shizuoka Prefecture’s GI-certified sake through all five senses. The program included a complimentary tasting of GI Shizuoka–certified sake, regional comparison tastings from eastern, central, and western Shizuoka (available to participants who posted on SNS or completed a survey), introductions to sake brewed with Shizuoka’s original rice variety Reiwa Homarefuji, and pairing experiences with local specialties made from Shizuoka seafood—allowing guests to experience Shizuoka’s terroir in a compact yet immersive way.
On the day of the event, I joined together with Mona Iizawa, 2022 Miss SAKE Osaka, guiding both domestic and international visitors with English explanations and pairing suggestions. Representatives from Fujinishiki and Fujimasa —two breweries representing Shizuoka—were also present, sharing their passion for sake brewing and the character of their regions directly with guests in their own words. We also took part in a Miss SAKE walk through the streets of Asakusa, creating a valuable opportunity to share the evolving charm of GI Shizuoka—often described as the “ultimate food sake”—with the world from one of Tokyo’s most iconic sightseeing area, Asakusa.
Event Details
Event Title: SHIZUOKA SAKE Experience in Asakusa
Date & Time: Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 13:00–17:00
Venue: WASAKE Sake Experience
(1F, THE ASAKUSA RESIDENCE, 1-11-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free (includes tasting of GI Shizuoka-certified sake)
Organizer: Shizuoka Prefecture (Regional Industry Division, Department of Economic and Industrial Affairs)
Planning & Management: CMOne Co., Ltd.
Bringing the Flavors of GI Shizuoka Closer
This pop-up event was held to raise awareness of GI Shizuoka and to introduce sake experiences to a wide range of audiences, both in Japan and abroad. Shizuoka sake is known for its gentle, rounded mouthfeel combined with a clean, crisp finish. These characteristics are shaped by pristine spring water flowing from mountains including Mt. Fuji, Shizuoka-developed yeast strains, and a food culture enriched by the bounty of the sea—elements that together have nurtured Shizuoka’s distinctive sake style over many years.
On the day, brewers from Fujinishiki Brewery and Fujimasa Brewery joined us, offering five carefully selected labels from across the prefecture. By tasting sakes from eastern, central, and western Shizuoka while listening to explanations and recommendations directly from the brewers, many visitors were able to experience firsthand how even within “GI Shizuoka,” each region and brewery expresses its own unique character.
Guests also enjoyed pairings with Shizuoka specialties such as edible dashi, tuna cheese, and canned Shizuoka sakura shrimp, highlighting how sake truly shines as the “ultimate food sake,” naturally complementing everyday meals. Thanks to Asakusa’s international atmosphere, many overseas visitors joined as well, and it was especially memorable to see people from around the world discovering Shizuoka sake through their own sensibilities.
Featured Sake (5 selections)
Eastern Shizuoka
1．Fujinishiki Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji (Fujinishiki Brewery)
2．Fujimasa Junmai Ginjo Reiwa Homarefuji (Fujimasa Brewery)
Central Shizuoka
3. Garyubai Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki (Sanwa Brewery)
4. Shosetsu Junmai Ginjo (Kanzawagawa Brewery)
Western Shizuoka
5. Kaiun Junmai Homarefuji (Doi Shuzojo)
Sharing “UMAMI” Across Borders
As Miss SAKE, I also introduced the event to passersby in front of the venue and while walking through the streets of Asakusa. We invited not only Japanese visitors enjoying sightseeing in kimono, but also travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries to taste GI Shizuoka sake. Some overseas guests told us it was their very first time trying sake. Watching their initially nervous expressions turn into smiles accompanied by a joyful “Delicious!” after their first sip reminded me once again of sake’s power—and the universal sense of “umami” that transcends cultures. These once-in-a-lifetime encounters, made possible through sake, became precious memories for me as well.
At WASAKE Sake Experience, visitors can enjoy sake from across Japan via coin-operated tasting machines, as well as at a bar where certified sake professionals provide explanations in English. The space welcomes everyone, from beginners to enthusiasts. Many overseas guests, inspired by this event, went on to enjoy further tastings or select bottles as souvenirs—scenes that filled me with excitement. It truly felt like a new sake journey, beginning with a cup from Shizuoka, quietly spreading from Asakusa to the world.
Through this event, I was reminded of sake’s unique ability to connect people, as well as how Shizuoka’s rich nature, pure water, and the heartfelt dedication of its brewers are deeply reflected in every glass. Sharing moments of “delicious” across language and cultural barriers through GI Shizuoka sake was a special experience—and a meaningful learning opportunity for me.
Moving forward, as Miss SAKE, I will continue to serve as a bridge between regions and people, and between people and culture. Beginning with Shizuoka and extending throughout Japan, I hope to carefully share the diverse appeal of regional sake while delivering new encounters and inspiration to audiences at home and abroad. Cherishing each connection, I will keep taking steady steps toward the future of sake culture—together with the stories of the land and the passion of its makers, carried in every cup.
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
Chisato Tateno
