The traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage, nihonshu called “sake” is known and appreciated throughout the world today. The volume of sake exports has reportedly been on the rise in the past few years. With the recent increase in the number of visitors to Japan and the registration of “traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the number of people who are interested in and enjoy sake is expected to keep growing. The April issue of HIGHLIGHTING Japan features an interview with an expert who works for promoting the spread of sake around the world, as well as articles on how to enjoy sake in each season and how to pair it with various dishes. This issue also explores various ways to enjoy sake from perspectives that go beyond taste, such as appreciating the beauty of elegantly designed sake labels and the role of sake in traditional Japanese rituals.
●The Growing Appeal of Japanese Sake Around the World, and How to Enjoy It (Interview with HIRAIDE Toshie, the CEO of Co-op SACHI Ltd., who has devoted herself to promoting nihonshu Japanese sake culture throughout the world)
●Seasonal Ways to Enjoy Japanese Sake (Japan is home to seasonal traditions and events that celebrate the pleasures of nihonshu Japanese sake. Introducing ways to enjoy nihonshu Japanese sake in each of the four seasons.)
●Japanese Cuisine Paired with Sake (Sake and Japanese food have evolved together and had a significant influence on each other in the process. The head of a school of Japanese cuisine explains this history and how to pair nihonshu Japanese sake with food dishes.)
●Enjoying Sake with French Cuisine (Chef sommelier at a French restaurant in Tokyo with a passion for serving nihonshu Japanese sake with French cuisine explores the appeal of this particular dish and drink pairing.)
●Various Types of Vessels for Enhancing Enjoyment of Japanese Sake (There is a wide range of sake vessels for drinking nihonshu Japanese sake. Understanding the different types of them, as well as their characteristics, can enhance the sake experience.)
●The Beauty of Sake Labels: A Harmony of Calligraphy and Art (Introducing nihonshu Japanese sake labels that bring together brand names in lively calligraphy and traditionally lucky symbols to depict a world of graceful elegance.)
●Touring Sake Breweries While Experiencing the Charms of the Region (Introducing Sake Brewery Tourism®, a new style of travel that gives visitors the opportunity for not only nihonshu Japanese sake tasting, but also an integrated experience of local culture, cuisine, and nature.)
●The Role of Sake in Japanese Traditional Rituals (Introducing the significance of nihonshu Japanese sake and the roles it plays in divine service, celebrations and other traditional Japanese ceremonies.)
●Omachi Rice from Okayama Prefecture – The Root of Many Sake Rice Varieties (Separate from rice for cooking, the variety of rice that is suitable for nihonshu Japanese sake brewing is called shuzo-koteki-mai, commonly referred to as saka-mai. Introducing Omachi rice from Okayama Prefecture, which is thought to be the root of this kind of rice.)
■POLICY-RELATED NEWS (Japan to Host 49th WorldSkills Competition in 2028)
■DISCOVERING JAPAN THROUGH THE EYES OF JAPANESE INFLUENCERS (Recommended Trips by Rail in Japan)
■TREASURES OF JAPANESE CULTURE (Limitless Expressions with Lacquer — Techniques of Lacquerware Craftsmanship)
■BACK COVER THE BEAUTY OF JAPANESE SWORDS (Long Sword (Tachi), Signed “Norikuni”)
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/april_2025/
※Please send your comments and requests to the Public Relations Office, Government of Japan. Your input will help us make this webpage / products better.
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/en/form/mailform/
[E-mail Newsletter " HIGHLIGHTING Japan"]
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Published by: Public Relations Office, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan 1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8914, Japan
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/
VOL. 202 (APRIL 2025)
◆ENJOYING JAPANESE SAKE, NIHONSHU◆
The traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage, nihonshu called “sake” is known and appreciated throughout the world today. The volume of sake exports has reportedly been on the rise in the past few years.
With the recent increase in the number of visitors to Japan and the registration of “traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the number of people who are interested in and enjoy sake is expected to keep growing.
The April issue of HIGHLIGHTING Japan features an interview with an expert who works for promoting the spread of sake around the world, as well as articles on how to enjoy sake in each season and how to pair it with various dishes. This issue also explores various ways to enjoy sake from perspectives that go beyond taste, such as appreciating the beauty of elegantly designed sake labels and the role of sake in traditional Japanese rituals.
●The Growing Appeal of Japanese Sake Around the World, and How to Enjoy It
(Interview with HIRAIDE Toshie, the CEO of Co-op SACHI Ltd., who has devoted herself to promoting nihonshu Japanese sake culture throughout the world)
●Seasonal Ways to Enjoy Japanese Sake
(Japan is home to seasonal traditions and events that celebrate the pleasures of nihonshu Japanese sake. Introducing ways to enjoy nihonshu Japanese sake in each of the four seasons.)
●Japanese Cuisine Paired with Sake
(Sake and Japanese food have evolved together and had a significant influence on each other in the process. The head of a school of Japanese cuisine explains this history and how to pair nihonshu Japanese sake with food dishes.)
●Enjoying Sake with French Cuisine
(Chef sommelier at a French restaurant in Tokyo with a passion for serving nihonshu Japanese sake with French cuisine explores the appeal of this particular dish and drink pairing.)
●Various Types of Vessels for Enhancing Enjoyment of Japanese Sake
(There is a wide range of sake vessels for drinking nihonshu Japanese sake. Understanding the different types of them, as well as their characteristics, can enhance the sake experience.)
●The Beauty of Sake Labels: A Harmony of Calligraphy and Art
(Introducing nihonshu Japanese sake labels that bring together brand names in lively calligraphy and traditionally lucky symbols to depict a world of graceful elegance.)
●Touring Sake Breweries While Experiencing the Charms of the Region
(Introducing Sake Brewery Tourism®, a new style of travel that gives visitors the opportunity for not only nihonshu Japanese sake tasting, but also an integrated experience of local culture, cuisine, and nature.)
●The Role of Sake in Japanese Traditional Rituals
(Introducing the significance of nihonshu Japanese sake and the roles it plays in divine service, celebrations and other traditional Japanese ceremonies.)
●Omachi Rice from Okayama Prefecture – The Root of Many Sake Rice Varieties
(Separate from rice for cooking, the variety of rice that is suitable for nihonshu Japanese sake brewing is called shuzo-koteki-mai, commonly referred to as saka-mai. Introducing Omachi rice from Okayama Prefecture, which is thought to be the root of this kind of rice.)
■POLICY-RELATED NEWS
(Japan to Host 49th WorldSkills Competition in 2028)
■DISCOVERING JAPAN THROUGH THE EYES OF JAPANESE INFLUENCERS
(Recommended Trips by Rail in Japan)
■TREASURES OF JAPANESE CULTURE
(Limitless Expressions with Lacquer — Techniques of Lacquerware Craftsmanship)
■BACK COVER
THE BEAUTY OF JAPANESE SWORDS
(Long Sword (Tachi), Signed “Norikuni”)
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/april_2025/
※Please send your comments and requests to the Public Relations Office, Government of Japan. Your input will help us make this webpage / products better.
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/en/form/mailform/
[E-mail Newsletter " HIGHLIGHTING Japan"]
** This e-mail address is for delivery only and is not monitored.
Please do not reply to this e-mail.
Published by:
Public Relations Office, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8914, Japan