The night in Ginza was as dazzling as ever. Walking through the glimmering streets, I headed for Kuri Ginza, a sake bar I used to visit frequently. To my surprise, it had been seven years since my last visit!
This time, I organized a sake tasting event there, inspired by a previous sake gathering I held in January. At that event, a first-time participant showed interest in Kuri, which led me to plan this reunion.
🍶 Inviting a Sake Industry Professional
Until now, my sake events had always been with friends who shared my passion—mostly people I met through work. But this time was special.
I invited a sake industry professional: a sales representative from Miyasaka Brewing Company, the brewery behind Masumi. I had met them at the previous event featuring Masumi and Sohomare.
It was my first time inviting someone from the industry, which made me a little nervous but excited. This new connection made the night feel even more meaningful, expanding my sake circle just a little further.
🍶 Reuniting with Kuri and Its Sake Guide
Stepping into Kuri Ginza felt like coming home. Of course, I was eager to enjoy their excellent sake selection, but there was another reason I had been looking forward to this night: meeting Mr. Takeuchi.
To me, he is like a sake guide—a person who has shaped my journey and deepened my appreciation of sake. Seeing him again after so many years made the evening feel even more special.
🍶 27 Sake Varieties in 60ml Pours
One of the things I love about Kuri is their 60ml pours, allowing you to sample a wide variety. By the end of the night, our group of four had tasted an impressive 27 different sake!
🌾 Shinshu Kirei Junmai Ginjo Yamaenishiki
This sake is brewed by Shinshu Kirei, a brewery in Nagano Prefecture that is dedicated to protecting terraced rice fields and producing sake with rice they grow themselves.
I had been curious about their sake for some time but had never managed to get my hands on a bottle. Finally, at Kuri Ginza, I got to experience it.
It had a gentle sweetness with a delicate acidity, creating a beautifully balanced and elegant profile. The soft flavors were like a gentle breeze sweeping through the terraced fields.
🐸 Aramasa Tenagara Clear Dry 2023 Kimoto Junmai Nama
Aramasa, a brewery known for cultivating their own rice, specializes in kimoto brewing. While kimoto sake is often rich and full-bodied, this one was different.
It was smooth, light, and astonishingly easy to drink, despite being kimoto. The bright aroma and refined acidity made it remarkably refreshing.
This sake was a reminder that the kimoto method doesn’t always mean heavy flavors—it depends heavily on the craftsmanship.
🍍 Edo Kaijo Spring Sake Junmai Ginjo Genshu
This was the most surprising sake of the night. It is brewed in Minato City, Tokyo, right in the heart of the metropolis, using tap water.
However, this isn’t ordinary tap water—it is meticulously treated, resulting in a sake that completely defies expectations.
The moment I tasted it, the tropical pineapple-like aroma burst forth, filling my senses with its powerful ginjo fragrance.
It was hard to believe that such a fragrant and flavorful sake was brewed with tap water in central Tokyo. Truly a hidden gem.
🍶 A Night of Sake and Gratitude
For food, we ordered only a simple assorted appetizer platter and the chef’s selection of five sake-friendly bites. The rest of the night was all about the sake.
As we sipped and talked, I felt deeply grateful for the people around me. Sharing so many sake varieties with fellow enthusiasts, exchanging impressions, and discovering new favorites—it was pure bliss.
Nights like these remind me of how lucky I am to have found friends who share my love for sake. I can’t wait for the next gathering.
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