Frank visited the multi-instrumentalist Bobby Griffin at his home and studio to talk about how sake is treated in traditional Japanese music. In particular they talked about Sasa no Tsuyu, a piece for shamisen, koto, and voice. It was arranged in the 1800s and the lyrics are all about the power and pleasure of sake. We also filmed our visit,…

This week, Frank is joined by Aaron Hao, the founder of Sake Studio, to talk all things sake tasting. Aaron drinks sake every day. He basically has to, since he is a triple-certified Sommelier, Executive Director of Sake Base, and the owner of a sake focused izakaya. Their conversation covers, of course how to taste sake, but also what got…

In this special episode we are trying out a new format we are dubbing the "Sake on Air Bulletin." One or more of our hosts will report back on an event or experience they tried recently in the form of a short audio bulletin. This time it’s the turn of Chris to don his journalist hat. He recently attended a…

Frank got to sit down with Okura Taiji of Gekkeikan Sake to talk about the whole swath of Gekkeikan's existance. Our conversation covers its rise to prominence in the late 1800s to its creation of a brewery in America to what's going on in Gekkeikan Studio, the experimental arm of the brewery. We ae trying out a new video format…

In this episode of Sake on Air, we’re heading off the tourist path to Kochi Prefecture! Tune in to learn more about this little-known yet deeply compelling region, and why it deserves a spot on your sake travel list. In September 2025, Cindy Bissig; Simone Maynard, creator of Taste with the Toji (check out episode 92!), a Sake Samurai, and…

Join Imada-san and Sebastien (and a late arriving guest) as they talk all things Izakaya. These Japanese drinking and eating establishments are the foundation of sake culture and the trio has a lot to say about where to go, what to order, and how to have a good time. They talk about which foods go well with sake and many…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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;…