Sake Samurai Inauguration 2023

26th September, Matsuo Taisha Shrine, Kyoto

Each year, the Sake Samurai Association selects a number of men and women, who have shown dedication to promoting the tradition and culture of sake, to be inaugurated as Sake Samurai. These committed sake communicators are chosen from candidates living and working in all parts of the world, and in many different fields.

It’s been fifteen years since the first Sake Samurai members were appointed, and together with the newly added four members, we have in total of 103 Sake Samurai working all over the world!

The inauguration ceremony was held at Matsuo Shrine in Kyoto on the 26th of September 2023 organised by the Japan Sake Brewers Association Junior Council led by Mr Kazuhiro Maegaki.

This year all the previous chairmen such as Mr Takeshi Sekiya from Sekiya Brewery, Mr Kenji Ichisima and Mr Koichi Saura from Urakasumi Sake Brewery joined the ceremony, which made the ceremony even more special.

The ceremony was followed by a grand banquet at Kyoto Cuisine Restaurant “Takeshigero” to celebrate the inaugurators.

The newly added inaugurators are as follows:

Mr Shuho Yagi, President of T.I.C Restaurant Group

Mr Baku Takahashi, Consultant of the International Environment / Sake educator and consultant

Mr Kenji Fabio Ota, Founder and Owner of MEGA SAKE

Ms Akiko Tomoda, Chairperson of Women’s Association for Japanese Sake & Wine Lovers / General Cordinator of Japan Women’s SAKE Award