More than 1,000 years ago, the Japanese began to make sake with high-quality water and rice. The 13th annual Japanese Sake Fair, the largest sake gathering in the world, recently took place in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Attendees had the chance to taste many kinds of Japanese sake at once, without having to travel far away.
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Fans of Japanese sake queued up early in the morning. Brewers’ associations from 45 different prefectures presented their local products, and guests could taste 1,400 kinds of Japanese sake while enjoying delicious snacks. Miss Sake joined the fair, smiling in a traditional Japanese kimono. A toast at noon bought the atmosphere to a climax.
The event also attracted international visitors who love Japanese sake, and were able to learn about Japanese culture through the traditional drink.
“I tasted a variety of Japanese sake here,” one of them said. “I came into contact with various Japanese styles after I came to Japan, and there are so many delicious Japanese dishes. It’s great to taste Japanese sake!”
Another Japanese attendee commented, “I don’t have many opportunities to contact sake. I tasted a variety of fine sake and snacks from all over the country. This is a very good event.”
The Japanese Sake Fair, open to the general public and hosted by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, has played a huge role in spreading Japanese sake culture.
Japanese sake spokesperson Shimada Riko said, “The popularity of Japanese sake is unparalleled, not only suitable for Japanese cuisine, but also suitable for dishes from all over the world. Japanese sake is made from Japanese high-quality water and rice. These fermented sake use the ‘combination and compound fermentation’ technology, which can’t be rivaled by others. Sake is an artwork full of love and effort.”
In addition, a public tasting featured approximately 400 award-winning sake. These were awarded prizes at the annual Japan Sake Awards this past May. The event was a rare opportunity to taste precious sake that are rarely seen together at the same time.
The Japanese Sake Fair is a great event that professional tasters and sake lovers look forward to every year.
