The Competition That Determines the “World’s Most Delicious Commercially Available Sake”!? Our PR Team Introduces “SAKE COMPETITION 2025”!

Hello! I’m Takeuchi from the Public Relations Division, Social Relations Department 3, Public Relations Business Headquarters.

“Sake” is beloved by people of all ages, both in Japan and abroad. What image do you have of it?We often hear comments like “There are so many types, it’s hard to choose” or “I don’t really understand the differences in taste.”

Against this backdrop, “SAKE COMPETITION 2025,” a competition to determine the “world’s most delicious commercially available sake,” was held again this year.

SUNNY SIDE UP, as a member of the SAKE COMPETITION Executive Committee, has been managing the competition for 10 years since 2015, and also handles a wide range of tasks from a PR perspective, including media outreach.

From the judging sessions to the awards ceremony and reception party, and the passionate thoughts of the brewery owners.Takeuchi, a first-year employee in charge of PR, shares the appeal and depth of sake that she experienced through “SAKE COMPETITION 2025”!

Determining the World’s Best Sake! What Is SAKE COMPETITION?

“SAKE COMPETITION” was launched in 2012 with the philosophy of “presenting new standards so that consumers can encounter truly delicious sake, regardless of brand.”

This year marks the first competition since Japan’s “traditional sake brewing” was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December of last year, making it a truly noteworthy year.

The categories include “Junmai-shu,” “Junmai Ginjo,” “Junmai Daiginjo,” “SUPER PREMIUM,” and “Overseas Entries,” with the newly established “Modern Natural” category added for a total of six categories. A total of 1,163 sake entries were submitted, from which the No. 1 in each category is determined.

The newly established “Modern Natural Category” was created with the concept of “evaluating sake with unprecedented evaluation standards and perspectives,” in response to the growing trend among younger generations of enjoying sake in a “modern” way, similar to wine, focusing on aroma and harmony.

Now, let’s introduce this year’s event!

Rigorous Judging at the Preliminary and Final Rounds

At the preliminary and final rounds held in mid-May, a total of 37 “elite members of the sake industry,” including technical advisors, sake brewery owners and experts selected by recommendation, and sommeliers, tasted and judged all 1,163 entries over three days.

Brands are completely concealed, ensuring evaluation based solely on sake quality. This creates an environment where judges are not influenced by brands or labels, giving any brand a chance to win first place.

The sight of bottles uniformly wrapped in silver packaging lined up in rows, with judges carefully tasting each one with serious expressions, was truly impressive. The silence was filled with tension, and the deep respect and passion for sake was palpable.

Koichi Hasegawa of Hasegawa Saketen, who was involved in the judging, commented on this year’s impressions: “Overall, the rice was hard and difficult to dissolve, so I think this was the most challenging year for brewers. I expect that sake made by skilled technicians who were able to bring out the umami of the rice in a well-balanced way will rank highly. I have the impression that this will be a year where the brewers’ abilities will definitely be reflected in the rankings.” Even at this point, I couldn’t wait for the announcement of the award-winning sake…!

Finally, the Awards Ceremony. Who Will Take First Place in Each Category!?

The day of the awards ceremony finally arrived. This year’s ceremony was held at “TAKANAWA GATEWAY Convention Center,” a venue within TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, which opened in March 2025. At the venue entrance, all the sake that passed the preliminary round were on display! From among these, the prestigious first place winners in each category would be announced.

As the venue filled with excitement and anticipation, the awards ceremony for “SAKE COMPETITION 2025” finally began. Serving as MCs were Natsumi Uga and Sascha. With their hosting, the energy in the venue surged.

The first category announced was “Junmai-shu.” First place went to “Isojiman Omachi Tokubetsu Junmai 53” from Isojiman Brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture. In the spotlight on stage, they shared their joy at receiving the award: “Receiving first place in the Junmai-shu category, which is the foundation of sake, is the ultimate honor for a brewer. Sake pairs not only with Japanese cuisine but also with Western cuisine like Italian and French, so I hope we can help spread sake even further.”

In the newly established “Modern Natural Category,” “Denshu Junmai Daiginjo Yamahai” from Nishida Shuzoten in Aomori Prefecture won the award. They shared: “Junmai Daiginjo is often thought to be heavy or have peculiar characteristics, but Yamahai Junmai Ginjo doesn’t have strange quirks at all; it’s characterized by a clean acidity. I wanted to convey that this is what true Yamahai is, so receiving this award confirms that message.”

What was common in the words of the award-winning breweries was their sincere dedication to sake brewing. Seeing the expressions of the breweries at the moment they won and hearing their passionate thoughts in person made my heart swell with emotion…!

Here is this year’s list of award-winning sake. True to the advance reputation that “this will be a year where brewers’ abilities will definitely be reflected in the rankings,” any sake listed here is undoubtedly exceptional.

A Party to Enjoy Top-Ranked Sake and Exquisite Cuisine!

After the awards ceremony, a reception party was held for networking among sake industry professionals, featuring sake from the top 20% of all categories and a course menu created by the head chef of Happo-en.

The reception party was attended by brewery owners, general participants, and many sake enthusiasts, and the venue was filled with lively energy.

During the party, a talk show was also held, providing a valuable opportunity to hear the passionate thoughts and dedication of the brewery owners. The stories were ones we rarely get to hear, and it was striking to see how intently the participants listened.

Participants around the tables also interacted warmly with each other, and the warm atmosphere filled with deep love for sake throughout the venue made me want to have a glass myself!

What Is Your Favorite “Brand”!?

Until now, I had the impression that sake was “difficult because there are so many types.” However, being involved in this competition completely changed that perception. The brands selected through rigorous judging are all “truly delicious” sake. I realized that this competition serves as a reliable guide that anyone can use with confidence.

At the end of 2024, Japan’s “traditional sake brewing” was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and “sake” has now become a focus of global attention. I am truly proud to have witnessed such a meaningful awards ceremony in this milestone year.

The sake industry, which will undoubtedly attract even more attention going forward, is one we cannot take our eyes off!!

The next time I return to my hometown, I’m thinking of giving my parents sake as a gift to express my daily gratitude!

Why not use the award-winning sake from “SAKE COMPETITION” as a reference to find your own favorite “brand”?

SUNNY SIDE UP handles PR communications for a wide range of products and services, including alcoholic beverages.

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