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Sake On Air

A bi-weekly podcast exploring the stories of sake. Brought to you by experts on the front lines of the industry in Japan.

Frank and Eric C Rath, Professor at University of Kansas and author of multiple books on Japanese food culture, dive deep into his new book, Kanpai: The History of Sake. We talk about samurai drinking games, the origins of sake as a beverage, sake’s effects on the Japanese economy, and many other topics.

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed byforSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

The Cloudy Origins of Sake and Other Sips of History

Sebastien and Marie catch up with friend of the show, David Joll! Their conversation with the founder of Zenkuro Sake covers both the tribulations of making sake abroad while using Japanese rice, koji, and yeast along with the changes in the New Zealand sake market. We also talked about future plans for the brewery and much more. It’s been 5 years since we first had David on the show, Episode 35, and there is a lot to talk about!

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Catching up on 5 years of Zenkuro with founder David Joll

Liam McNulty, the man behind nomunication.jp and a standing member of the Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition (TWSC) managing committee, joins Frank to talk all things shochu. Our discussion covers how shochu is defined, how shochu is judged at TWSC, and what the future looks like for this remarkable spirit. We also touch on koji-based whiskies, shochu-based gins, and the blending of ideas from both the spirits and shochu world. 

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Koji & Casks: A Discussion about Shochu and Whisky with Liam McNulty

We are thrilled to be able to interview the one and only Philip Harper at the brewery where he works as toji, or master brewer. Philip is first non-Japanese person to become a toji at a brewery in Japan, and his impact on the world of sake cannot be overstated.

Our hosts, Cindy Bissig, Chris Pellegrini, and Frank Walter, made the trek to the tippy top of Kyoto Prefecture to visit the brewery and Philip, and what a visit it was! Philip opened up about his beginnings in the sake world, how he came to join Kinoshita Brewery, and the philosophy behind how he creates the taste of the iconic brand. Philip also revealed how he recommends drinking Tamagawa sake.

Kinoshita brewery is best known for their Tamagawa brand of sake and is located on the Japan sea coast about a 2 hours drive from Kyoto station. It has a lovely tasting room and shop where visitors can sample some of the brewery’s best brews for free.

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Talking sake with Toji Philip Harper at Kinoshita Brewery

Miho Ota is joined on this episode of Sake on Air by Spanish sake educator and promoter Elvira Aldaz to talk about their three-day sake trip to Fukushima in July. They visited 9 breweries in under 72 hours including travel to and from Tokyo! The two friends share their impressions from talking with local brewers, tasting many different styles of sake, and experiencing how the region’s climate, culture, and brewing traditions make Fukushima sake what it is.

Fukushima Trip Itinerary
DAY 1
Niida Honke – Participated in their weekly tour

DAY 2
Aizu Shuzo – Made a prior reservation for a visit
Kokken – Made a prior reservation for a visit
Tsurunoe – Had tasting samples and shopped

DAY 3
Kita no Hana – Had tasting samples and shopped
Mine no Yuki – Saw the brewery from outside
Yoshinogawa – Saw the brewery from outside
Yumegokoro– Saw the brewery from outside
Suehiro – Participated in their daily tour
Yamatogawa – Didn’t visit, but there is a museum

Elvira also talked a little bit about her experience at Gakkogura, a week-long sake brewing workshop on Sado Island, run by Obata Shuzo. Participants have to fully engage in the brewing process, from koji production to three-stage fermentation, and live in the converted schoolhouse that houses the brewery. Throughout the week they connect with the island’s community and environment as they work on their brews.

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Visiting Fukushima Sake Breweries with Miho and Elvira

Sebastien and Chris had a lovely time talking to Norihiro Fujii of Fujji Shuzo, makers of Ryusei. Their conversation was wide ranging: covering the history of the brewery, the change to all kimoto brewing, and the ongoing move to all wild fermentation. 

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

The Changing of the Guard at Fujii Shuzo

Marie, Miho, and Frank have a sit down and try three hiyaoroshi sake with various pairings in this laid back episode of Sake on Air. We hope that as you give it a listen you pour yourself a glass and taste along with us.

The sakes we had are all available at the info center:
Joku Junmai from Hachinohe Shurui in Aomori
Mongai Fushutsu Junmai Ginjio from Nishibori Shuzo in Tochigi 
Takaji Yamahai Junmai from Juhachi Zakari in Okayama

A reminder that you can find out about sake events going on throughout October in Japan here: https://kampai-sake.jp/en/index.html

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Happy Sake Day!

Frank Walter and Chris Hughes spent the first day of the biggest event of the sake calendar, JAPAN SAKE & SHOCHU FAIR 2025, talking to old and new friends about the world of sake and shochu. It was held in Osaka for the first time on June 14th and 15th of 2025. 

Oliver Chan, founder of Sake Moto HK and recent author; Keith Norum, of Masumi Sake; Chris’s former student, who is involved in the Taiwan Sake & Shochu Research Association; and Mika Eoka, who has been pioneering sake imports and education in India.

A reminder that you can find out about sake events going on throughout October in Japan here: https://kampai-sake.jp/en/index.html

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 2)

The biggest event of the sake calendar, JAPAN SAKE & SHOCHU FAIR 2025 was held in Osaka for the first time on June 14th and 15th of this year! Chris Hughes became our roving reporter on the fair floor and interviewed a variety of characters sipping a variety of beverages.

He spoke to Tomomi Duquette, founder of Niigata Sake Lovers; representatives from the Zenkoku Chori Shokuhin Kogyo Kyodo Kumiai; Takeshi Itani, founder of Sake Experience; and Shun Kosaka, bartender at Quarter Room. Join us next week for part 2!

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 1)

Join Miho Ota, Chris Hughes, and Chris Pellegrini as they catch up about what they have been doing recently. 

Tune in to hear how Big Chris has started a new sake tasting experience, all about Little Chris’s business development, and Miho’s exciting sake travel plans. 

You can sign up for the JSS sake and shochu tasting here: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/6022742!

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

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

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Chatting Sake Volume Two

This week we zone in on sake in the U.K. as we welcome the founder and owner of Tengu Sake, Oliver Hilton Johnson to the show.

Oliver’s carefully

curated portfolio

and user-friendly communication are just a handful of the reasons

that Tengu Sake has been selected as the Specialist

Merchant of the Year

in the Sake category for the International Wine Challenge four years running. From Oliver’s

first forays into the sake business to the exciting developments happening

throughout the sake industry in London, Chris Hughes, Marie Nagata and Justin

Potts fill the tokkuri and dig into the nitty-gritty with one of the country’s

young pioneers of kampai. 

Please review and rate us on Apple

Podcasts, and send

your questions and comments to questions@sakeonair.staba.jp, or @sakeonair on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. We’re on YouTube as well.

More Sake

On Air coming your way in two weeks.

Kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous

support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers

Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is a

co-production between Export Japan and Potts.K Productions, with audio

production by Frank Walter.

Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” is

composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Tengu Sake with Oliver Hilton-Johnson

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