Sake exports reach a record high

Sake Samurai is excited to report that sake is becoming increasingly popular outside Japan, and the export of sake has reached a record high in its history. Boosted by the popularity of Japanese cuisine, sake exports have increased in each of the last five years.
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London Sake Symposium and Trade Tasting

In an effort to build a platform for the UK sake trade, the first London Sake Symposium and Trade Tasting was successfully attended by UK sake professionals and future sake business seekers on the 5th March at the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
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Ramen-Sake event at Cambridge University

Barak Kushner, who teaches modern Japanese history at the Faculty of the Oriental Study at the University of Cambridge and also known as the author of ‘ SLURP’, a culinary and social history of Ramen, organised ‘Ramen and sake evening’ at his college. Sake Samurai has supported the event. Barak kindly reported people’s conception on sake before and after the event.
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Sake Samurai UK Unites With Oxford University Japan Society

We are pleased to announce that Sake Samurai UK is officially collaborating with the Oxford University Japanese Society (OUJS) and will be supporting various activities to promote Japanese culture and sake. Miss Rose Telyczka of OUJS has agreed to bridge Sake Samurai UK and OUJS, and here is her first report.
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Ambassador OKU Memorial Rugby Cup

It has been 11 years since the tragic death of Mr Katsuhiko Oku in Iraq during his mission. Once again his friends gathered near the anniversary to honour his memory by playing the game he loved. The 10th memorial rugby cup was organised by Mr Reg Clerk, the CEO of Rhino Group, who recalls Ambassador Oku as ‘A truly remarkable man. He brightened the lives of those who entered in all walks of his life. His assassination was the most awful shock to his family and friends.’
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Itadakimasu Day by MAFF

‘Itadakimasu’ is the phrase used in Japan before eating meals to thank nature and people who brought food to the table for us. An event for the further understanding of philosophy of authentic Japanese cuisine took place in London on the 29th November and successfully attended by food critics, journalists and food lovers. To complement the food, a selection of sake was organised by Sake Samurai UK with a kind sponsorship of Tazaki Foods.
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Oxford MBA Team Undertakes Sake Marketing Research

This summer, the first academic research on the UK sake market was conducted by a strategic consulting team lead by Mr Takeshi Chino, from Said Business School, University of Oxford. The research has been successfully completed and the project outcome was presented at the Embassy of Japan in early September, to the Japanese authorities and the UK sake trade representatives. The report will be available for the trade and public in the near future.
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Japan 400 celebrates in Plymouth

To commemorate the historic return of the East India Company’s ship to Sutton Harbour in Plymouth 400 years ago, an official ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries including ministerial representatives from the UK and Japan on the 27th September. A tall ship came into the port as a climax of the UK-Japan 400-year relations through a series of Japanese events which took in the city for a week.
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Enjoy International Sake Day events in London!

1st October is Sake Day (Nihonshu no hi) in Japan. It marks the first day of the sake-making season, and the month of October is significant. The tenth year, hour and month are represented in the Chinese zodiac system by the ancient character that is also a symbol for sake, and sake brewing begins in the autumn, usually in October. So the first day of the tenth month, October 1st, is known as “Nihonshu no hi” or “Sake Day” in Japan.
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Introduction to Sake at the Japan Foundation London

The Japan Foundation London is Japan’s principal organisation to promote Japanese culture exchange. On the 16th September, 'Introduction to Sake' lecture was held and well received by a full audience of those who already love Sake and others who wanted to learn more about this drink, which is enjoying increasing popularity in the UK, indeed, worldwide.
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IWC 2014 Champion sake

Sake Samurai UK would like to send heartfelt congratulations to Mr Atsushi Hirata from Hirata Brewery, who won the IWC 2014 Champion Sake Award with a 1995 Jukusei Koshu Hidanohana Suiou. The award was presented at the IWC Awards Dinner held in London on 16th July. It was a sensational win for this small family-run sake brewery with only 5 employees, which fought off stiff competition from over 700 other entries to scoop the prestigious title.
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Fukuoka showcases sake in Paris

A delegation from Fukuoka prefecture led by the Governor Mr Hiroshi Ogawa delighted the palates of gastronomic Parisians with a selection of finest sake, shochu and local specialities. The reception took place in Paris at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to France, Mr Yoichi Suzuki, on the 2nd July, with invitations extended to opinion leaders, press and the trade in Paris.
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Oxford meets Japanese Sake Makers

On 28th June at the Saïd College Business School in Oxford, a delegation representing Japanese sake makers gave a talk on sake followed by a tasting reception. This prestigious and popular event offered students a rare opportunity to meet sake makers in person.
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Japanese hospitality at Oxford University Ball

On a mid-summer’s night of the 27th June at the St John’s College Commemoration Ball in Oxford, Japanese ‘omotenashi’ hospitality was extended to a distinguished party of guests. Founded in 1555, St John’s College is one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges of the University, with notable alumni including Japan’s own Prince Fumihito.
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IWC 2014 Sake Trophy

IWC 2014 Sake Trophies have been announced on the 14th May. The best sake of each category is awarded the Category Trophy. The runner-up sake are awarded the regional trophies with the name of prefecture or city. The overall Champion of IWC Sake 2014 will be announced on the 16th July at the IWC Awards dinner.
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IWC 2014 Sake Judging

In London, on the 14th and 15th April, IWC 2014 sake judging was undertaken with a staggering new record of 725 entries in 7 categories. This year, two new categories of sparkling sake and ordinary sake were added to the original repertoire of Junmai, Junmai Gijo/Daiginjo, Honjozo, Ginjo/Daiginjo and Koshu.
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Sake evening at the Sainsbury Institute, Norwich

As a part of the Friends of the Sainsbury Institute programme, a Sake Tasting and Talk event was held on 8 April, giving the Institute’s supporters an opportunity to learn about sake from an expert in an informal and friendly atmosphere, and to enjoy tasting different kinds of sake, which is becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
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IWC 2014 Sake Competition

In partnership with International Wine Challenge (IWC), the Sake Samurai Association is pleased to announce the IWC 2014 sake competition schedule.
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