
First official Japanese sake roundtable in London
20th November 2017, JETRO London
A roundtable was held to spark dialogue regarding the best way to promote sake in London, attended by the leading sake trade including importers, restaurant owners and sommeliers. The event was initiated by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) UK office and jointly organised with JETRO London. Twenty-two sake business related individuals and companies attended the meeting in the afternoon.
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A roundtable was held to spark dialogue regarding the best way to promote sake in London, attended by the leading sake trade including importers, restaurant owners and sommeliers. The event was initiated by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) UK office and jointly organised with JETRO London. Twenty-two sake business related individuals and companies attended the meeting in the afternoon.
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Sake and the City
17th November 2017, London Capital Club
The Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) hosted a sake lecture and tasting event for finance professionals at the London Capital Club. The Club is a private members club based in the heart of London and provided a beautiful setting for sharing sake culture.
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The Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) hosted a sake lecture and tasting event for finance professionals at the London Capital Club. The Club is a private members club based in the heart of London and provided a beautiful setting for sharing sake culture.
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The Japan Embassy praises the glory of Fukushima Sake
18th October 2017, Embassy of Japan in the UK
On the next day of the Parliament reception, the Fukushima Sake lecture and tasting took place at the Embassy of Japan, inviting a wider audience of trade, media and sake lovers. This was the first official Fukushima sake tasting hosted by the Embassy of Japan and Fukushima prefecture, and timely marked Fukushima's achievement of No 1 sake region at the Japan Sake Competition for the 5th year running.
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On the next day of the Parliament reception, the Fukushima Sake lecture and tasting took place at the Embassy of Japan, inviting a wider audience of trade, media and sake lovers. This was the first official Fukushima sake tasting hosted by the Embassy of Japan and Fukushima prefecture, and timely marked Fukushima's achievement of No 1 sake region at the Japan Sake Competition for the 5th year running.
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Fukushima Sake Fair, Houses of Parliament
17th October 2017, The Houses of Parliament
A reception to promote Fukushima sake was held at the Palace of Westminster, designed to also symbolise recovery from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The British and Japanese Parliamentary Group hosted this meaningful event jointly with the Fukushima Local Government. Mr. Yoshio Mitsuyama, the president of Fukushima Association worldwide and Rie Yoshitake, the representative of Sake Samurai UK worked together to organise the reception.
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A reception to promote Fukushima sake was held at the Palace of Westminster, designed to also symbolise recovery from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The British and Japanese Parliamentary Group hosted this meaningful event jointly with the Fukushima Local Government. Mr. Yoshio Mitsuyama, the president of Fukushima Association worldwide and Rie Yoshitake, the representative of Sake Samurai UK worked together to organise the reception.
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Sake Seminar at Nippon Club
5th and 26th October 2017
Sake Samurai UK was invited to host a sake seminar and tasting at the Nippon Club, one of the oldest Japanese institutions in London with a membership of 6,000 Japanese residents of the United Kingdom. It was the first time that the club organised a sake event, and the two series of events were fully booked with sake lovers and keen learners. The first session was held in the evening mainly for business people, and the second session was held at lunch time.
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Sake Samurai UK was invited to host a sake seminar and tasting at the Nippon Club, one of the oldest Japanese institutions in London with a membership of 6,000 Japanese residents of the United Kingdom. It was the first time that the club organised a sake event, and the two series of events were fully booked with sake lovers and keen learners. The first session was held in the evening mainly for business people, and the second session was held at lunch time.
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Tosa Sake Fair 2017 ‘ NAKAMA’, Embassy of Japan in the U.K
29th September 2017
To continue the sake crusade, on the 19th September, seven sake makers from Kochi came back to London to promote Tosa sake with the flag of ‘ NAKAMA’ ; they were Bijofu, Tosatsuru, Akitora, Keigetsu, Toyonoume, Tsukasabotan and Mutemuka. This was the third official event Kochi prefecture hosted at the Embassy of Japan showcasing the best of Tosa sake and food culture to London’s trade and sake lovers.
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To continue the sake crusade, on the 19th September, seven sake makers from Kochi came back to London to promote Tosa sake with the flag of ‘ NAKAMA’ ; they were Bijofu, Tosatsuru, Akitora, Keigetsu, Toyonoume, Tsukasabotan and Mutemuka. This was the third official event Kochi prefecture hosted at the Embassy of Japan showcasing the best of Tosa sake and food culture to London’s trade and sake lovers.
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Japan Cultural Awareness Day for Waterman Group
11th Sep 2017
Victorian Loft in Southwalk, London
Over many years, Sake Samurai UK (SSA) has been supporting British companies in building stronger relationships with Japan. Accordingly, SSA were delighted to be approached by a Japanese cultural consultant Ms Sarah Parsons to provide insights into Japanese culture to employees of the Waterman Group. Having been recently acquired by the Japanese company CTI Engineering, the Group were looking for a training day for their non-Japanese executives.
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Victorian Loft in Southwalk, London
Over many years, Sake Samurai UK (SSA) has been supporting British companies in building stronger relationships with Japan. Accordingly, SSA were delighted to be approached by a Japanese cultural consultant Ms Sarah Parsons to provide insights into Japanese culture to employees of the Waterman Group. Having been recently acquired by the Japanese company CTI Engineering, the Group were looking for a training day for their non-Japanese executives.
read more

Introducing Japanese Sake to European rugby players
25-27th Aug 2017, Piotrowice Nyskie, Poland
The Sake Samurai UK, this time introduced sake and the flavor of Japanese culture to the European grassroots rugby players at the Piotrowice Nyskie International Rugby Festival. The 7th edition of the annual 7s rugby tournament attracted 12 teams which included Women’s and Men’s teams from Poland, Czech Republic, Malta, Austria, and the Netherlands.
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The Sake Samurai UK, this time introduced sake and the flavor of Japanese culture to the European grassroots rugby players at the Piotrowice Nyskie International Rugby Festival. The 7th edition of the annual 7s rugby tournament attracted 12 teams which included Women’s and Men’s teams from Poland, Czech Republic, Malta, Austria, and the Netherlands.
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Saddle up for Japan – the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot
29 July 2017, Ascot Racecourse
Sake went to Ascot!! This was one of the most memorable day for sake promotion in the UK.
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) partnered with Ascot racecourse to promote Japan tourism at the ‘King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes’, which is Britain's most prestigious open-age flat race, and its roll of honour features some of the most highly acclaimed horses of the sport's recent history.
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Sake went to Ascot!! This was one of the most memorable day for sake promotion in the UK.
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) partnered with Ascot racecourse to promote Japan tourism at the ‘King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes’, which is Britain's most prestigious open-age flat race, and its roll of honour features some of the most highly acclaimed horses of the sport's recent history.
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Taste Washoku at Britain’s historic royal palace
17th July 2017, Hampton Court Palace
Accompanying the growing popularity of Japanese cuisine (washoku), sake had a great pleasure to enter the quintessential British historic scene at Hampton Court. This impressive Japanese food and sake promotion event was hosted by JA Group Kyoto and ZEN-NOH Group, through which, precious ingredients and sake from the Kyoto region were showcased.
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Accompanying the growing popularity of Japanese cuisine (washoku), sake had a great pleasure to enter the quintessential British historic scene at Hampton Court. This impressive Japanese food and sake promotion event was hosted by JA Group Kyoto and ZEN-NOH Group, through which, precious ingredients and sake from the Kyoto region were showcased.
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WABI: A Taste of Japan
7,8 July 2017, Lindley Hall in Westminster, London
After a decade of expertise on promoting sake through IWC sake competition, William Reed Business Media Ltd, the holding company of IWC, launched a long-waited brand new Japanese food, drink and culture show named WABI. More than 20 well-known sake breweries came to exhibit from Japan. Featuring live product demonstrations, tastings and masterclasses, it aimed to allow both trade and consumers to experience the true essence of Japan in the centre of British capital.
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After a decade of expertise on promoting sake through IWC sake competition, William Reed Business Media Ltd, the holding company of IWC, launched a long-waited brand new Japanese food, drink and culture show named WABI. More than 20 well-known sake breweries came to exhibit from Japan. Featuring live product demonstrations, tastings and masterclasses, it aimed to allow both trade and consumers to experience the true essence of Japan in the centre of British capital.
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IWC 2017 Champion Sake Announcement
6th July 2017, Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London
The world’s biggest Sake competition, International Wine Challenge Sake, unveiled the 2017 Champion Sake lat its IWC Awards Dinner, known as the ‘Oscars of the Wine Industry’. The IWC Sake Champion 2017 prize went to Nanbu Bijin for its Tokubetsu Junmai 2017.
Produced in Iwate prefecture, on the northeastern coast of Honshu, this sake beat stiff competition from thousands of other entries to claim the top prize. Rich, but refreshing, its floral character and velvety texture seduced the international panel of 62 judges. This victory will thrust this small brewery, which only brews around 200k litres of sake a year, into the global spotlight.
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The world’s biggest Sake competition, International Wine Challenge Sake, unveiled the 2017 Champion Sake lat its IWC Awards Dinner, known as the ‘Oscars of the Wine Industry’. The IWC Sake Champion 2017 prize went to Nanbu Bijin for its Tokubetsu Junmai 2017.
Produced in Iwate prefecture, on the northeastern coast of Honshu, this sake beat stiff competition from thousands of other entries to claim the top prize. Rich, but refreshing, its floral character and velvety texture seduced the international panel of 62 judges. This victory will thrust this small brewery, which only brews around 200k litres of sake a year, into the global spotlight.
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IWC 2017 Award Winning Sake Tasting
5th July 2017, Embassy of Japan
Prior to announcing the IWC 2017 Champion Sake, the Sake Samurai Association hosted a sake tasting at the Embassy of Japan featuring the thirteen sakes shortlisted for this year’s champion sake. This annual event has become the most anticipated in the London Sake Calendar. Oversubscribed as usual, members of trade and sake lovers gathered to appreciate some of Japan’s finest sakes and to meet with the sake brewers themselves.
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Prior to announcing the IWC 2017 Champion Sake, the Sake Samurai Association hosted a sake tasting at the Embassy of Japan featuring the thirteen sakes shortlisted for this year’s champion sake. This annual event has become the most anticipated in the London Sake Calendar. Oversubscribed as usual, members of trade and sake lovers gathered to appreciate some of Japan’s finest sakes and to meet with the sake brewers themselves.
read more

Sake enters May Ball at Cambridge University
17th June 2017 Hughes Hall College
The Sake Samurai UK, administrated by Yoshitake & Associates, were delighted to return to Cambridge University to host a sake tasting at the Hughes Hall May Ball. This was the first time that sake had been served in the history of May Balls at Cambridge.
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The Sake Samurai UK, administrated by Yoshitake & Associates, were delighted to return to Cambridge University to host a sake tasting at the Hughes Hall May Ball. This was the first time that sake had been served in the history of May Balls at Cambridge.
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Tutoring on Japanese food and sake marketing at the Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR)
1st June 2017
As sake is an important way of promoting the local culture of Japanese prefectures, the representative team at the Japan Local Government Centre has become more involved in sake promotion over the years in partnership with Sake Samurai UK. On 1st June, Rie Yoshitake from Sake Samurai and Mr Kenichi Shimamoto from JETRO London held a seminar for new employees at the Local Government Centre.
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As sake is an important way of promoting the local culture of Japanese prefectures, the representative team at the Japan Local Government Centre has become more involved in sake promotion over the years in partnership with Sake Samurai UK. On 1st June, Rie Yoshitake from Sake Samurai and Mr Kenichi Shimamoto from JETRO London held a seminar for new employees at the Local Government Centre.
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Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 Promotion Event
19th May, Embassy of Japan
On the day of the World Rugby Cup 2019 Draw in Japan, the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) hosted a Japan Tourism Evening at the Embassy of Japan to which local dignitaries, tour operators and luxury hotel business were invited to boost the inbound tourism to Japan during Rugby World cup and Tokyo Olympics.
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On the day of the World Rugby Cup 2019 Draw in Japan, the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) hosted a Japan Tourism Evening at the Embassy of Japan to which local dignitaries, tour operators and luxury hotel business were invited to boost the inbound tourism to Japan during Rugby World cup and Tokyo Olympics.
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Sake and Networking at Japanese corporate
12th May 2017, Hitachi Consulting Limited London
Sake is becoming increasingly popular among Japanese corporates in the UK, as a means of building team spirit and a sense of shared heritage among employees who may come from international backgrounds. Hitachi Consulting is the strategy consulting arm of Hitachi Limited and on the 12th May, Mr Shinji Kamata initiated an evening of sake and networking at Hitachi’s London office.
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Sake is becoming increasingly popular among Japanese corporates in the UK, as a means of building team spirit and a sense of shared heritage among employees who may come from international backgrounds. Hitachi Consulting is the strategy consulting arm of Hitachi Limited and on the 12th May, Mr Shinji Kamata initiated an evening of sake and networking at Hitachi’s London office.
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Sake Tasting at the International Financial Report Standard Foundation (IFRS)
5th May 2017
A successful sake introduction event at E&Y last year led to an introduction to the IFRS Foundation, the organisation established to develop a single set of globally accepted accounting standards.
Mr Takatsugu Ochi and Mr Kan Hara at the IFRS took the initiative to introduce their national drink to their international colleagues, and invited Rie Yoshitake and her team to provide an introduction to sake and Japanese culture.
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A successful sake introduction event at E&Y last year led to an introduction to the IFRS Foundation, the organisation established to develop a single set of globally accepted accounting standards.
Mr Takatsugu Ochi and Mr Kan Hara at the IFRS took the initiative to introduce their national drink to their international colleagues, and invited Rie Yoshitake and her team to provide an introduction to sake and Japanese culture.
read more

IWC Sake Judging
24-26th April 2017, The Oval London
In 2016, a memorable trip to Hyogo prefecture in Japan was organised to commemorate the 10th anniversary of IWC Sake Competition. This year, IWC sake judging returned to London with the highest number of sake entries on record. Over three days, 60 judges from 14 countries judged 1246 sakes to determine the medallists, trophy winners and of course the Grand Champion.
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In 2016, a memorable trip to Hyogo prefecture in Japan was organised to commemorate the 10th anniversary of IWC Sake Competition. This year, IWC sake judging returned to London with the highest number of sake entries on record. Over three days, 60 judges from 14 countries judged 1246 sakes to determine the medallists, trophy winners and of course the Grand Champion.
read more

Sake Outreach in Poland
Embassy of Japan in Warsaw, 27th March 2017
JETRO in Poland invited Rie Yoshitake to promote sake to the food and beverage industry at the Embassy of Japan in Warsaw. Local restaurants, bar owners and those in hospitality were invited to gain more insight into a drink that has been growing in popularity over the years, driven by the rising popularity of Japanese cuisine.
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JETRO in Poland invited Rie Yoshitake to promote sake to the food and beverage industry at the Embassy of Japan in Warsaw. Local restaurants, bar owners and those in hospitality were invited to gain more insight into a drink that has been growing in popularity over the years, driven by the rising popularity of Japanese cuisine.
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Sake Tasting for the Foreign Press Association
22nd March, Minister’s Residence
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) is one of the oldest clubs for foreign correspondents, based in London. Members of the FPA in London were invited to a reception and sake lecture at the Japan Minister’s residence in London.
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The Foreign Press Association (FPA) is one of the oldest clubs for foreign correspondents, based in London. Members of the FPA in London were invited to a reception and sake lecture at the Japan Minister’s residence in London.
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Sake Celebrates JET 30th Anniversary
15th March 2017, UK Houses of Parliament
The British Japanese Parliamentary Group (BJPG) and JETAAUK hosted a beautiful reception to celebrate 30 years since British participants on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) Programme first returned to the UK from Japan, in 1987.
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The British Japanese Parliamentary Group (BJPG) and JETAAUK hosted a beautiful reception to celebrate 30 years since British participants on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) Programme first returned to the UK from Japan, in 1987.
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Sake hospitality at the Japan Securities Summit in London
7th March, Mansion House
The Japan Securities Association hosts a biannual summit on investment relating to Japan in London and Sake Samurai UK were delighted to host a sake reception at the 2017 edition.
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The Japan Securities Association hosts a biannual summit on investment relating to Japan in London and Sake Samurai UK were delighted to host a sake reception at the 2017 edition.
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Gateway to the West – Introducing sake from Kyushu Island
7th March, Morton’s Club Mayfair
On 7th March, Nishinoseki sake made its debut in the UK. Nishinoseki, meaning both “Gateway to the West” and “Champion of the West”, is one of the rare sake houses that faithfully conveys the long-loved and authentic taste of Kyushu and Southern Japan in its brews.
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On 7th March, Nishinoseki sake made its debut in the UK. Nishinoseki, meaning both “Gateway to the West” and “Champion of the West”, is one of the rare sake houses that faithfully conveys the long-loved and authentic taste of Kyushu and Southern Japan in its brews.
read more