Partner Organizations ※in no particular order
Packed with Highlights!
Higashihiroshima – The Sake Capital of Saijō
Higashihiroshima City—particularly the Saijō area—is known as one of Japan’s three major sake-producing regions and is often referred to as “Saijō, the Sake Capital.”
The city is home to ten sake breweries, each with its own unique history and brewing techniques. These breweries carry on traditional methods while producing distinctive and character-rich varieties of Japanese sake.
SSI INTERNATIONAL
Two Days of Learning Through a Unique Program!
For Japanese sake lovers, Saijō in Higashihiroshima is a must-visit destination.
Known as one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions, it hosts the Sake Matsuri every autumn—Japan’s largest sake event, drawing visitors from across the country and around the world.
The Kikisake-shi Forum 2025 is a special program held in collaboration with this iconic festival.
Over two immersive days, participants will enjoy a unique blend of learning and tasting experiences, including brewery rice polishing facility tours, guided tasting sessions, seminars, and panel discussions—all designed to deepen appreciation for Japanese sake.
Includes a “Kikisake-shi Forum 2025 Certificate of Completion” and a “Sake Matsuri Participation Certificate” featuring the logos of supporting organizations.
See
Tour Satake, the World’s No.1 Rice Milling Machine Manufacturer
Know
Following a keynote lecture by Dr. Noriyuki Odoi, Director of the Food Industry Technology Center, a panel discussion will be held featuring local brewery representatives, the head of the SSI Research Laboratory, and other experts.
Together, they will delve into the future of sake in Higashihiroshima and the evolving landscape of Japanese sake as a whole.
Learn
A Rare Opportunity!
Learn the professional art of sensory evaluation from sake experts at the National Research Institute of Brewing (NRIB)—Japan’s only national research institute dedicated exclusively to alcoholic beverages, and a facility rarely open to the public.
Drink
A Grand Networking Party with Local Brewers from Higashihiroshima and Participants from Around the World!
Connect and expand your network over glasses of sake brewed in Higashihiroshima.
Visit
Day 2: Dive into the “Sake Matsuri” Festival (Admission Ticket Included)
Immerse yourself in one of Japan’s must-see sake events and enjoy an unforgettable experience for true sake lovers.
Image credit: Sake Matsuri Executive Committee
A Journey Devoted to Japanese Sake
October 10 (Fri) – October 11 (Sat)
Oct 10 (Fri): Meet at 8:30 AM / Dismissal scheduled for 8:30 PM
Oct 11 (Sat): Schedule for the Sake Matsuri will be announced once finalized
Application Deadline: August 10 (Sun)
A Journey Devoted to Japanese Sake
October 10 (Fri) – October 11 (Sat)
Oct 10 (Fri): Meet at 8:30 AM / Dismissal scheduled for 8:30 PM
Oct 11 (Sat): Schedule for the Sake Matsuri will be announced once finalized
Application Deadline: August 10 (Sun)
Scheduled Speakers ※in no particular order
長田 卓
サケアカデミー主宰兼
専任講師
SSI理事兼研究室長
今田 美穂
株式会社今田酒造本店
代表取締役
天畠 健史
賀茂鶴酒造 株式会社
営業三課兼海外事業部次長
大土井律之
広島県立総合技術研究所
食品工業技術センター
センター長
マイケルオウ
SSI INT’L台湾支部
金光酒造合資会社
福美人酒造株式会社
亀齢酒造株式会社
山陽鶴酒造株式会社
柄酒造株式会社
西條鶴醸造株式会社
賀茂泉酒造株式会社
白牡丹酒造株式会社
株式会社 今田酒造本店
賀茂鶴酒造株式会社
Pricing & Cancellation Policy
International Kikisake-shi,/ International Shochu Kikisake-shi Exclusive Price JPY80,000
General consumer price (without Kikisake-shi certification)JPY90,000
旅行手配 新通株式会社（四季観光）(東京都知事登録旅行業3-7383号)
＜Fee included＞
Day 1 Bus Fare, Lunch Fee, and Networking Party Fee（includes sake from 10 breweries, water, and food – soft drinks not included）
Day 2 Saijō Sake Festival Ticket
Certificate of participation and completion
Important Notes
・The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Therefore, those under the age of 20 are not eligible to apply. Thank you for your understanding.
・Participants must meet at Saijō Station on Day 1.
・Round-trip transportation to Saijō Station must be arranged individually.
・Accommodation is self-arranged.
・Shuttle buses will operate from Saijō Station to all program venues.
・After the Day 1 networking party, buses will return participants to Saijō Station.
Please be sure to review the following before applying:
■Please carefully review our Terms and Conditions, including the Cancellation Policy, prior to submitting your application.
All applications are processed by the NPO SSI (Sake Service Institute).
Participant Benefits
Those who register for the Kikisake-shi Forum 2025 are also welcome to join the
Kikisake-shi Forum 2025 After Tasting Study & Sake Academy Year-End Party!
Kikisake-shi Forum 2025 – After Tasting Study & Sake Academy Year-End Party
Date & Time: Sunday, November 16, 17:00–19:00
Venue: Sake Academy (Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
・Revisit and taste sake from all 10 breweries of Higashihiroshima!
・Experience pairings with a variety of snacks!
・Brewers from Higashihiroshima are scheduled to join online!
・Held jointly with the Sake Academy’s Grand Year-End Party – a great opportunity to connect with many Kikisake-shi!
・Fun games and entertainment are also planned!
Participants of the Kikisake-shi Forum 2025 Tour will receive a Certificate of Completion and a Participation Certificate featuring the logos of supporting organizations.
