Sake On Air

Many of our listeners are likely aware of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture back on New Years Day, 2024. While the most severe damage was unquestionably across the peninsula, the massive quake reverberated across neighboring prefectures as well, resulting in extensive, far-reaching damage that’s going to take a great deal of time to truly assess, not to mention recover from.Immediately following the earthquake news outlets around the world reported this tragic turn of natural events, however the true nature of the damage and devastation to the region didn’t really come to light until the days and weeks following the quake – long after international media stopped reporting and updating on the aftermath. To be honest, from what we’ve been able to see, although the instance of the quake made the news, most outlets never got around to addressing the realities of the actual devastation.Since January 1st there have been more than 1,000 aftershocks throughout the first week following the quake alone, with temperatures generally peaking in the 40s and dipping below freezing at night, interspersed with rain and snowfall. Along with the quake came fires and tsunami, as well, bringing with them a whole other level of devastation.Amidst this harsh environment, a vast number of locals and residents are now without homes and proper shelter, and still without running water, electricity, gas, and other daily fundamentals required for basic health, warmth and sanitation. Severe damage to the roads and infrastructure is making support and rescue services slow and limited, as each trip into the region needs to be carefully calculated. Many locals are stranded in temporary shelters or housing, attempting to sift through the rubble in areas without running water or electricity amidst the ongoing aftershocks. As such activity is incredibly dangerous, many have had no choice but to flee to neighboring regions with family or colleagues, making occasional calculated rescue efforts back home if or when possible. Many have given up altogether.

For those of us personally and professionally involved in the world of sake, news of such extensive damage to the Noto region has been particularly devastating. Although small in terms of physical area, the impact that the Noto region, it’s brewers, breweries, craftsmanship, and wider culture has had on the sake industry is beyond significant; I’d go so far as to call it legendary.Ishikawa Prefecture has played home to several of the most iconic toji and breweries to grace the sake stage in recent history, developing brewing techniques that have proliferated across the country and standardized a lot of brewing practices for the industry. For what the region lacks in physical size, the Noto Toji Guild more than makes up for in member numbers and influence. Toji aside, the number of brewers from the Noto region working throughout Japan are more than you could easily count. Many of the traveling brewers from Noto were away brewing sake in other regions when the quake happened, left without a means to return home to check on their family, or returned home to find everything destroyed. Many no longer have a place to go home to.Of the 11 breweries that are considered to be part of the Noto region, none are in a position to resume production this year, and due to the extensive damage, many likely won’t be able to resume production at home for several seasons to come – if at all. Based on the latest official report from the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association, of the 33 member breweries in Ishikawa Prefecture, 24 of them reported damages, with 2 reported cases of severe damage. With the quake happening in January – peak brewing season – most, if not all in-tank product was lost, with completed, bottled stock largely destroyed. Not only are breweries unable to resume production, their short-term source of income – their sake – is also gone.

Being a program about sake, naturally the direct impact to the sake industry is going to be our area of focus. However, I feel a need to point out the greater significance of the Noto region to our listeners, as the work, craft, traditions, and resulting culture that’s deeply rooted there is something truly special in a way that’s difficult to describe in words. Personally, the people, the craftsmanship, and the landscape of the Noto region became a foundational inspiration for me early on, as it exemplified the qualities that make Japan a beautiful, special place in a way that I really haven’t found any place else. Every time I visit, I’m in awe that it’s a place that actually exists and I feel blessed to be able to know so many of the people and to have had so many rich experiences that reaffirm the intangible value of the region. When I think of the idea of an “Intangible Cultural Heritage,” Noto is – in my mind – the perfect, most iconic example to fit the definition.In addition to contributions to the world of sake, the Noto region is home to the iconic lacquerware that is so synonymous with Japan. Noto was also the first region in Japan to be recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System for its biodiverse agricultural practices and inseparable cultural components. The Kiriko Festivals in the summer are like nothing you’ll find anywhere else in Japan. The incredible contributions to food and fermented food culture that are deeply rooted in and associated specifically with the region; from ishiru, the naturally fermented fish sauce crafted from squid or mackerel, to the traditional salt-making practices that are like nothing that exists anyplace in Japan, or arguably anywhere, for that matter. (There’s an incredible documentary, “Hitonigiri no Shio”, for those interested). The financial and structural damage aside, the cultural damage is immeasurable, and it’s devastating to imagine a world where some of it may be irreparable.In addition to the Noto Peninsula and other parts of Ishikawa prefecture, damage has been reported throughout surrounding regions, as well. Neighboring Toyama Prefecture has 3 breweries officially reporting damage as a result of the quake, Fukui reporting 2 breweries, Nagano reporting 1, and Niigata actually has 29 of its 89 member breweries reporting damage. While nothing to the extent or scale of what’s happened to the breweries in Noto, there’s sure to have been minor structural damage or lost product in some capacity as a result.

The question that I imagine – and hope – that many of you have is: “How can I help?”

There are many organization that have set up means of providing financial aid for a range of people, services and industries, however for those interested in supporting the breweries that have been devastated by this natural disaster, the two safest, most guaranteed means of support would be donating to the funds set up by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association to support all of its member breweries that have suffered damages, or you can also donate directly to the Brewers Association of Ishikawa Prefecture – which is where the Noto Region is located – and concentrate your contribution in that region.

We’ve listed the account information for aid contributions for both of these organizations below. If you have the means to give, know that any contribution, however small, would go a long way toward preserving something of intangible value to the future of the sake industry.

I also know that many people are probably eager to try and help in other ways which aren’t only monetary. Having been in touch with individuals working in relief on the ground in the region, and based on past experiences witnessing natural disaster aid in Japan, honestly, while everyone would certainly be appreciative of additional outreach, the reality is that the logistics of organizing functional, efficient, support in such an unstable environment is incredibly challenging and is best left up to those with experience and who understand the region and its needs best. If you live in Japan and happen to have direct involvement with other organizations supplying other forms of aid, there may be an opportunity for you. However, having spoken with breweries and distilleries that suffered similar natural disasters in the past, the reality is that many don’t have the resources or bandwidth to engage in a range of activities immediately following such a disaster, and that what every brewery is going to eventually encounter once they’ve managed to sift through the rubble, figure out how they’re going to take care of their family, workers, and loved ones, and assess the magnitude of restoration – both physically and financially – they’re going to be staring down a monetary burden that’s going to feel crushing. Having some degree of financial resources ready for when that day comes is likely going to be the most helpful contribution that most any individual can make.

The other thing I could suggest – find and enjoy yourself some Noto or Ishikawa sake. As long as there are still people out there actively seeking and enjoying the incredible craft coming out of this region, that’s going to motivate those that are struggling more than anything else. Drink, enjoy, and share.

DONATION INFORMATION

Option 1: Support via the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers AssociationBank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking CorporationBranch: HibiyaSWIFT Code: SMBCJPJT (8 characters)*If 11 characters are required, enter: SMBCJPJTXXXBeneficiary Account Number: 8646691Beneficiary Account Name: JAPAN SAKE AND SHOCHU MAKERS ASSOCIATION Chairman Haruhiko Okura*Listing may be displayed in Japanese romanization, which will look like:Nihonshuzou Kumiai Chuoukai, Gienkin-kuchi, Kaichou Okura HaruhikoAddress: 1-6-15 Nishishimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003 JAPAN

Option 2: Support via the Ishikawa Prefecture Brewers AssociationBank: The Hokkoku Bank, Ltd.Branch: KanazawajyohokuSWIFT CODE: HKOKJPJTBeneficiary Accou

We are always thrilled to be joined by special guests here at Sake On Air, but it is rather rare that we have a chance to interview a 15th-generation kuramoto. This week we’re thrilled to share our recent interview with Junichi Masuda, newly appointed CEO of Tokubee Masuda Shoten, makers of Tsukinokatsura, a brand of which we are all collectively huge fans.This week our regular hosts Rebekah Wilson-Lye and Sebastien Lemoine speak with Masuda-san about his sake brewery: Tokubee Masuda Shoten - a historical innovator in the industry - their brand “Tsukinokatsura”, and what changes we can expect to see with his new vision for the company. On a more personal note, we get to hear about what it’s been like to have grown up as part of such an iconic brewing family, the unique pressures, and exciting opportunities.Of course, we also dive into Kyoto, or Fushimi to be precise, where the brewery is located, and the brewery’s connection to the sake community there. Whether it is involvement in local events, being part of the Fushimi Sake Association, or organizing rice planting and harvesting activites for the local community, the Masuda family’s dedication to the region has us excited for where Masuda-san plans to take the brewery in the years ahead.With big events including the 60th anniversary of nigori sake (which the brewery is responsible for creating!) in 2024, as well as the brewery's 350th anniversary in 2025, there are plenty of good reasons for Tokubee Masuda Shoten to celebrate.

As always, let us know what you think about this week's episode of Sake On Air and of course, we do hope you go out of your way to experience Tsukinokatsura sake here in Japan or abroad! 

You can of course follow the brewery on their Instagram for all updates and some beautiful footage of the brewery. We also hope you don’t hesitate to get in touch with us in case you have any sake or shochu-related thoughts or questions via [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it. At the same time, if you’re looking for updates @sakeonair, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is brought to you by Potts.K Productions with audio production by Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

This week we’re digging up a classic from the archives that we released back in April 2020. The theme of the week is kanzake, which felt appropriate as a majority of our audience is now officially rolling into the winter months.If you’re interested in more warm/hot sake insight, we highly encourage you to check out the special session we hosted from Sake Future Summit 2020 featuring the mission of the exceptional kanzake service team traveling France for their annual Kanzake Tour. We also did a little impromptu sake warming/sipping session for the camera back when we originally released this episode, which you can find here.Over the next few months, in addition to our regular bi-weekly programming, we’ll be occasionally dropping rereleases of past episodes on topics that we haven’t really discussed in a number of years and that we feel deserve a little extra bit of attention. If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to get caught up!Thanks for loving sake and shochu. Have a happy and healthy holiday season and we’ll be back with more brand-new Sake On Air for you next week.Until then, Kampai!

This week we’re tackling arguably one of the most misunderstood segments of the sake world:Kanzake, often simply referred to as, Hot Sake.For a complex web of reasons, the quality and general nature of hot (or warm) sake is still shrouded in generations of preconception and misconception. However along with an aggressive reexamination of “Why?” in relation to lost practices in food and beverage, kanzake is in the midst of a mini-resurgence, particularly in Japan. Over the past decade, not only the number, but the level of quality and creativity entrenched in dining and drinking establishments throughout Japan has grown dramatically. Even outside of traditional Japanese cuisine or izakaya dining, some of Japan (and the world’s) most lauded genre-bending restaurants have made elements of kanzake service not only a part of their beverage program, but a cornerstone to it. This week we have Justin Potts, Marie Nagata, Big Chris (Hughes) and Little Chris (Pellegrini) on the mics as we delve into kanzake history, experiences, terminology, service, and heating things up at home.For the already-converted, hopefully you’ll find some hot tips (!) to add to your arsenal. For those still on the fence or for anyone that’s previously been burned (!) by less-than-positive experiences, hopefully you’ll find reason to set out on another expedition of the kanzake landscape.Oh, and there’s a small supplement to this week’s episode over on our YouTube channel, as well!

Help more sake-lovers find the show by reviewing and rating us on Apple Podcasts. Let us know what you thought about this or any of our shows to [email protected], or say “Hi” to the team at @sakeonair on  Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.If you happen to undertake any kanzake experiments at home, please do share the results and photos with us!

Take care out there everyone.And don’t forget to Kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is a co-production between Export Japan and Potts.K Productions, with audio production by Frank Walter.Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” is composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

With more travelers these days favoring unique experiences over a few days of leisure for their limited vacation days, Japan’s sake breweries have gradually been improving and expanding their offerings to both domestic and international visitors choosing to tick “sake journey” off their bucket list. An industry that’s largely sheltered itself from outside visitors for a significant chunk of recent history, many breweries are now for the first time figuring out how they can open themselves up to the possibility of tourism becoming a means of connecting with and growing their fanbase while developing a stable new form of reliable business.In a climate where tastings and tours are gradually becoming standard offerings at sake breweries throughout the country, Marika Tazawa went a step further and gathered the attention of the wider sake industry when she launched Kurabito Stay back in March of 2020. Kurabito Stay was the first sake tourism business to offer regular opportunities to, as the website states: “Become a sake brewer”, to anyone with the time and means to make it to the town of Saku in Nagano for a few days. Offering a range of two and three-day programs where participants stay at the brewery and take part in the various processes of making sake, for anyone wanting to get closer to and develop a more personal and in-depth understand of sake through experience, Kurabito Stay has become a no-brainer.Despite launching at the very beginning of one of the most challenging climates in recent history for tourism and travel, Kurabito Stay has now had over 400 participants take part in their range of sake-making programs from across the globe. Their success has demonstrated to the people and businesses of the region that there’s a unique appeal and potential in a synergistic relationship between sake and tourism for the future of rural Japan. With bookings now open for 2024 experiences, a new cycling program for visitors who want to spend a bit more time exploring the region, and a soon-to-be-announced second Kurabito Stay brewery partner prepping for their first programs (details in the show!), it seems that Kurabito Stay is indeed here to, well…stay.This week Justin Potts sits down with Kurabito Stay owner and founder, Marika Tazawa, to discuss all of the above and more. You can stay up-to-date with what’s happening with Kurabito Stay experiences and life in the Nagano town of Saku by following along on their Instagram, or get the latest tour information and availability on their website.

Thanks for tuning in with us again this week. You can follow along with the team at Sake On Air also on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and you can reach us all directly with your thoughts or questions at [email protected].

There’s more Sake on Air headed your way again in just a couple of weeks.Until then, kampai!

Sake on Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is brought to you by Potts.K Productions with audio production by Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew.

Fabio Ota joins regular host Sebastien Lemoine to talk all things sake in Brazil. Fabio, a lawyer turned sake guy, is the CEO and creator of Megasake, São Paulo’s premier sake shop and distributor. He was named a Sake Samurai earlier this year as part of the 18h cohort, and holds 13 different sake certifications.

Sebastien and Fabio get into the ins and outs of the unique nature of sake in Brazil, especially as it relates to the community of Brazilians with Japanese heritage. Although sake is made domestically in Brazil, premium nihonshu (sake made in Japan) has yet to make much of a splash. Fabio and his company are positioned to change that, especially in their work showing chefs how to add sake to their menus and how to pair sake with food. Fabio is also a masterful sake educator who has led courses on sake for over 1,800 F&B professionals and often hosts sake events in Brazil with other Japan connected organizations like the recent Festival do Sake that he held with JSS and the Japan House São Paulo.

Give Megasake a follow over on instagram, especially if you live in São Paulo! https://www.instagram.com/megasake/

As always, let us know what you think about this week's episode and we would love to know about other people introducing sake and shochu in South America! If you’re looking for updates @sakeonair, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Don’t hesitate to also share any other sake or shochu-related thoughts or questions with the hosts at [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it.

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is brought to you by Potts.K Productions with audio production by Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

For many years a Sake Tasting Competition has been held for selected sake sommeliers from across the country in Tokyo to challenge their tasting skills and knowledge. This year the Brewing Society of Japan has released a special tasting kit, that can be bought by anyone (depending on the availability of it, of course) to help sake professionals and people who strive to learn more about how to evaluate sake, to test and train their tasting abilities.In this very special episode of Sake on Air, we decided to give it a try and with the help of the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, we both got our hands on the sake-tasting kit and an invitation to the competition. So in this 2-part episode, we will share with you how both went. Along with some useful tips and knowledge on how to improve your tasting abilities and hone in on the skills needed to master them.In the first part of this episode, you will hear from Chris Hughes, Rebekah Wilson-Lye and Cindy Bissig about the tasting kit with some interview snippets of Sebastien Lemoine and Marie Nagata on how they got on. From a more simple just recognizing sweet vs dry, to determining which sake sample had higher Succinic acid along with a smell test. Spoiler alert, there were some surprising comments with the conclusion of Chris Hughes sharing that it was an incredibly humbling but super valuable experience, that he would love to have another go at one day and he is not alone in that.As we reach the 2nd half of this week's episode, we will focus on the “42nd Japanese Tasting Competition” that we joined. In which the best Sake Sommeliers from all around Japan come together to “battle” it out over two rounds, a written knowledge and a taste test. As well as, some helpful tips on how to get better at conquering similar tests and more insights from our hosts on sake competition, appraisals, and easy ways to replicate some of these challenges in the comfort of your own home or local Izakaya.

As always, let us know what you think about this week's episode and your experience in sake tasting. We would love to know what other strategies people have in place to effortlessly asses a beverage (sake or not), so do let us know! At the same time, if you’re looking for updates @sakeonair, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Don’t hesitate to also share any other sake or shochu-related thoughts or questions with the hosts at [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it.We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.Until then, kampai!

In this week's episode of Sake On Air we dive further into the world of Shochu and Cocktails as we are excited to have had the chance to talk to Christian Suzuki-Orellana, aka ‘Suzu’, the founder of Kagano Pop-Up, General Manager & Bartender at "Wildhawk" as well as a participant of the immensely popular Netflix show, “Drink Masters”. 

Among his many achievements, he has been nominated for best US Cocktail Bar and Bartender of the Year in 2022 and is currently traveling all over the world to serve up some finger-licking delicious Cocktails that are often inspired by his childhood and teenage years living and working in Tokyo in his grandparents' restaurant. 

So when our friends and sponsors at the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association told us they had invited him and a delegation of inspiring mixologists to Japan for a special Shochu tour and workshop, we could not believe our luck.

Looking at his impressive resume of working in some of San Francisco’s most iconic cocktail bars, including 15 Romolo, Benjamin Cooper, and Wildhawk, we decided to bring another Cocktail powerhouse as a guest host for this week's Podcast, no other than Joshin Atone, former SG Shochu brand manager and founder of “Flow”, a brand and operations consultancy for bar projects and beyond. Find out more about him in our Episode-47: The SG Shochu with Joshin Atone.

To keep the balance and hear more from these two Cocktail masters this episode is facilitated by our very own Cindy Bissig, who besides enjoying a few cocktails here and there also had the chance to meet Suzu in person at the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center, hear about his trip to Kagoshima and try some of the Cocktail creations not just Suzu, but the group of Bartenders came up with.

This episode will give you deep insights into Cocktail design, the relevance of Shochu now, and the possibilities for it in the future as well as some very personal anecdotes as both our guest host and Suzu share with us their passion, their challenges, and their vision for the future.

At the same time, if you’re looking for updates @sakeonair, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Don’t hesitate to also share any other sake or shochu-related thoughts or questions with the hosts at [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it.We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.Until then, kampai!Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is brought to you by Potts.K Productions with audio production by Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

This week, we ask that you indulge us just a bit as we…indulge.During Justin’s super-secret (and all-too-brief) return to Japan we had the opportunity to conduct a single recording. That date just happened to coincide with Kusu Day (September 4th) and the magnificent tasting set available at the JSS Information Center. Since Awamori doesn’t get nearly enough love, both on this show and in general, your hosts Marie Nagata, Chris Hughes, and Justin Potts decided to go ahead and dive straight into an impromptu tasting flight of ten (!) Kusu ranging in age, style, and maturation time. Long story short, the journey was as divine as the discoveries.What is Kusu, you ask? For that, we recommend you take a moment to listen to our Awamori 101 episode with Christopher Pellegrini, as well as our interview with Maurice Dudley. If you want a (literal) view into a fantastic distillery in Okinawa and a glimpse of how the gorgeous kame earthenware aging pots are crafted, take a moment to check out the interview and tour with Chuko Awamori Distillery we did for the Sake Future Summit.This week, it’s the Sake On Air crew sipping Awamori. Nothing more, nothing less. You can find the list of everything we sampled below, so if any of our descriptions (or reactions) pique your interest, we recommend you bookmark the matching beverage for your next Japan visit.

Each Awamori comes in its own cup

Label: Tatsu Awarded Kusu (ABV: 43%)Maker: Kin Shuzo

Label: Tatsu 1988 (ABV: 43%)Maker: Kin Shuzo

Label: Seifuku 2019 (ABV: 43%)Maker: Seifuku Shuzo

Label: Uminokuni KOHAKU 12 Years (ABV: 43%)Maker: Okinawa Brewers Co-op

Label: Sennen no Hibiki Kusu (ABV: 43%)Maker: Nakajin Shuzo

Label: UFU Yanbaru (ABV: 44%)Maker: Yanbaru Shuzo

Label: Zuisen 3 Years (ABV: 30%)Maker: Zuisen Shuzo

Label: Gyokuyu Awarded Edition (ABV: 40%)Maker: Ishikawa Shuzojo

Label: Gyokuyu Limited Kusu (ABV: 30%)Maker: Ishikawa Shuzojo

Label: Nanko K 10 Years (ABV: 40%)Maker: Kamiya Shuzosho

Thanks for tuning in with us again this week. Please do follow along (and follow) us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and don’t hesitate to also reach out to us with other sake and shochu-related thoughts or questions at [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it.We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake on Air in just a couple of weeks. Until then, kampai!

Sake on Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is brought to you by Potts.K Productions with audio production by Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew.

In our last podcast episode of Sake On Air, we had two of our regular hosts Chris Hughes and John Gauntner talk with Katsunari Sawada, the man behind the pocket-sized sake can, KURA One. If you have not had a chance to listen to it yet, we recommend you do so (here) before listening to the 2nd part, as we are looking further into the question of whether this could be indeed the future of packaging for the sake industry and beyond.We will also be diving deeper into how to market sake overseas and KURA One’s strength in doing so. This comes as no surprise as Sawada-san has an incredible PR and marketing background and knows that putting in extensive research into what producers, sellers, and consumers want is crucial to building a successful concept and product.But what is KURA One’s long-term strategy? With a huge demand for small format single-serving units in Japan, how will the company navigate the challenge of possibly cannibalizing brands that they are promoting (or vice versa) in other markets, and are these small cans really sustainable in the long run?As always, we would love to hear what you think about this special double episode and make sure to check out KURA ONE on Instagram, as Sawada-san often posts promotions and special deals.

At the same time, if you’re looking for updates @sakeonair, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Don’t hesitate to also share any other sake or shochu-related thoughts or questions with the hosts at [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it.We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is brought to you by Potts.K Productions with audio production by Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

In this week's episode of Sake On Air, two of our regular hosts Chris Huges and John Gauntner came together to chat with Katsunari Sawada san, the mastermind behind KURA One!For anyone unfamiliar with KURA ONE, the company's mission in their own words “is a sake service that changes the "unreachable" into "deliverable".” Moving away from the bigger sized 720 ml bottle and creating a smaller 180 ml aluminum sake can, an alternative to the traditional “One Cup”. Sawada-san has set out to change the sake industry and is working with representative brands of sake breweries that have won awards both domestically and internationally, hoping to promote sake.With the brand KURA ONE becoming more and more prominent it might come as a surprise that the man behind the idea did not really drink sake in his 20s and 30s. When asked why, he answered that it was because of the image he had about alcohol being used to “just get drunk” and it was not until much later in his life that he connected with the beverage. In fact, he attributes coming back to Japan after extensively traveling all around the world that made him realize his role and responsibility in helping people to discover the charm of his home country, Japan.Knowing this could only be done by truly understanding the local mindset, he visited 47 prefectures across Japan, in which he had many opportunities to exchange opinions with craftsmen and brewers. This uniquely valuable experience is what became the foundation of it all, as he became fascinated by regional products born from geographical and cultural backgrounds, influenced by the way of life, thinking, and attitude of the craftsmen who create them. This is where the Idea of KURA ONE started.Combining his incredible PR & communication knowledge with finding a new way to package and showcase these producers is what we see in KURA ONE today. Finding smart solutions that both help the people in the industry who make the sake, as well as using data to customize the products for customers to easily understand the product with smart technology to help to easily deliver and store them. Plus dare we say, these can’s are also incredibly beautiful to look at.Prepare yourself for an engaging conversation as John, with his extensive knowledge of the sake import industry follows up with Sawada-san on some key points of why or why not this might be the future of packaging.As always, let us know what you think about this week's episode and we will be back very soon with part 2! In the meantime make sure to check out KURA ONE on Instagram, as Sawada-san has mentioned he will have some promotions coming up soon and of course, don’t hesitate to also reach out to us with any sake or shochu-related thoughts or questions at [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it.

At the same time, if you’re looking for updates @sakeonair, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Don’t hesitate to also share any other sake or shochu-related thoughts or questions with the hosts at [email protected] and rate us on the podcast service of your choice while you’re at it.We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is brought to you by Potts.K Productions with audio production by Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.