Sake On Air

26/07/2026

The biggest Shochu event of the year just wrapped up - the Honkaku Shochu and Awamori & Gourmet Food Festival 2026 in Fukuoka, Kyushu!

Think 75 distillers’ booths, with over 600 varieties of honkaku shochu, awamori, and liqueurs—such as “ume-shu” made from these spirits 🥳

If you missed it this year, make sure to check it out in 2027 😉

14/07/2026

Summer has arrived in Japan, and along with it, sightings of one of its most iconic summer sakes - of course, we are talking about Tamagawa's Icebreaker! 🐧🧊🍶

Curious about the people who make it? We talked to Philip Harper, toji at Kinosh*ta Brewery, and besides the philosophy behind how he creates the taste of the iconic brand, he also revealed how he recommends drinking Tamagawa sake 😉

Make sure to tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/episodes/talking-sake-with-toji-philip-harper-at-kinosh*ta-brewery

Keep cool and kampai!

17/06/2026

This coming weekend (19th and 20th of June), the possibly biggest event of the sake calendar, the Japanese Sake Fair, is once again held in Tokyo!

Tickets have sold out - but for any lucky sake enthusiasts out there and curious about what to expect, Chris Hughes reported from the fair floor last year, and you can listen to it here: https://sakeonair.com/episodes/on-location-at-the-kokushu-fair-2025-part-1

Only two more days until the event kicks off - come say ‘hi’ if you see us 😉

Official event info can be found here: https://sakefair.com/

第17回 全国日本酒フェア｜令和7酒造年度全国新酒鑑評会 公開きき酒会〜東京・池袋サンシャインシティにて6月19日（金）・20日（土）

21/05/2026

The JSSA Advanced Shochu held in Kagoshima this August has just opened registration!

Japan sake and shochu academy 日本酒造組合中央会

21/05/2026

We are back with a new episode of Sake on Air: Sipping in Style: Exploring Japan’s Sake Cups 🍶

Shuki, or sake vessels, are more than just cups for serving sake. They add another layer of enjoyment to the drinking experience, and come in a remarkable variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. As you use them, they come to have their own meaning and special value as well.

In this episode of Sake on Air, Miho explores the fascinating world of sake cups with Japanese pottery expert Robert Yellin, from everyday drinking vessels to those used in special rituals. From his pottery gallery in Kyoto, Robert shares his expertise and experiences, revealing how ceramic sake vessels can transform a simple tasting into a more holistic experience.

Full episode can be found here: https://sakeonair.com/episodes/sipping-in-style-exploring-japans-sake-cups

Kampai!

08/05/2026

Tune into our Episode #162 - Seeking Shizuoka Sake with Jacky Royer, as Sebastien Lemoine, John Gauntner, Chris Hughes, and Frank Walter interview him about sake, food, and travel in Shizuoka 🍶

Jacky works at Shidaizumi and runs a land operator tour business for French-speaking visitors to Japan. We learn about his origins, studying library science in Tokyo, how he came to brew sake, and much much more...

Full episode can be found here: https://sakeonair.com/episodes/seeking-shizuoka-sake-with-jacky-royer
�Kampai!

05/05/2026

Are you finding yourself in the middle of Golden Week and a little bored?

Then why not listen to our Episode 161: A Traveler’s Guide to Awamori in Okinawa!

With a history of over 500 years, it remains little known outside Japan. So in this episode of Sake on Air, Miho interviews two Okinawa-based drinks professionals, Madoka Numata and Maurice Dudley.

They talk about places visitors can explore in Okinawa —particularly in the capital city of Naha — as well as how to taste, learn about, and experience awamori, along with its rich culture and history.

Listen to the full episode by tuning in here: https://sakeonair.com/episodes/a-travelers-guide-to-awamori-in-okinawa

Kampai!

25/04/2026

Mark your calendars as the dates for the All Japan Sake Fair and Public Tasting were just announced 🥂🍶😎

Hello Sake！　
All Japan Sake Fair and
Public tasting of the Annual Japan Sake Award 2026
19th June and 20th June
Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, Tokyo

30/03/2026

In this episode of Sake On Air, Frank, Cindy, and Chris are following up on our Izakaya 101 episode!

They share some of their favorite sake-focused restaurants and watering holes. Cindy took on Kyoto, Chris led the Tokyo discussion, and Frank filled in the gaps with off-the-wall picks from places in between 😉

Our rollicking discussion bounces around all of the archipelago, and it’s hard to imagine someone who has visited every place on our list.

Tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/episodes/izakaya-102-some-of-our-recommendations-for-good-sake-good-food-and-good-company

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

23/03/2026

We are back with a new episode of Sake on Air, and this week, Cindy, Sebastien, Chris, and Frank look at all the events you could be joining while you are in Japan and which, in their opinion, are worth making it into your travel plans! 🍶

Tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/episodes/going-to-sake-events-and-how-to-find-them

And let us know which one is your favourite or if we missed any!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air 😉

Until then, kampai!