Shows / Sake On Air
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.
Episodes
- Sake On Air
300 Year Old Comics about Sake
If you’ve listened to Sake on Air before, you know every single episode kicks off with Chris saying, “…all the culture and history and…” That line…
- Sake On Air
Sipping in Style: Exploring Japan’s Sake Cups
Shuki, or sake vessels, are more than just cups for serving sake. They add another layer of enjoyment to the drinking experience, and come in a remarkable…
- Sake On Air
Seeking Shizuoka Sake with Jacky Royer
In this episode Sebastien Lemoine, John Gauntner, and Chris Hughes (and Frank Walter) interview Jacky Royer about sake, food, and travel in Shizuoka. Jacky…
- Sake On Air
A Traveler’s Guide to Awamori in Okinawa
Awamori is a traditional spirit from Okinawa with a history of over 500 years, yet it remains little known outside Japan. In this episode of Sake on Air, Miho…
- Sake On Air
Izakaya 102: Some of Our Recommendations for Good Sake, Good Food, and Good Company
Following up on our Izakaya 101 episode, Frank, Cindy, and Chris share some of their favorite sake focused restaurants and watering holes. Cindy took on Kyoto…
- Sake On Air
Going to Sake Events and How to Find Them
Cindy leads a year-long discussion about sake events with fellow hosts Sebastien, Chris, and Frank. They talk about many of the main sake events that are…
- Sake On Air
Exploring Shiga: Breweries, Izakaya, and other Sake Travel Tips
This week, Cindy Bissig and Frank Walter sit down with Takashi Eguchi, better known in the sake world as Umio, to explore Shiga Prefecture’s vibrant sake…
- Sake On Air
Talking to Students of JSS Sake and Shochu Academy 2026
Every February, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association holds the Sake and Shochu Academy, a week-long course that teaches students everything they need…
- Sake On Air
A Sake on Air News Bulletin: The State of Sake Exports
In the second of our new format “Bulletin” episodes, Chris reports back from the JSS’s annual press conference, sharing current export figures, and strategies…
- Sake On Air
Songs of Sake for Koto and Shamisen with Bobby Griffin
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…
- Sake On Air
The Hao and the Why of Tasting Sake
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…
- Sake On Air
A Sake on Air News Bulletin: All Aboard the GI train to Kanto Shinetsu
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…
- Sake On Air
Gekkeikan’s Past, Present, and Future with Okura Taiji-san
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…
- Sake On Air
Discovering Kochi Sake with Simone Maynard and Taichiro Ogi
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…
- Sake On Air
Visiting an Izakaya 101: Tips and Advice from Sake on Air
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…
- Sake On Air
The Cloudy Origins of Sake and Other Sips of History
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…
- Sake On Air
Catching up on 5 years of Zenkuro with founder David Joll
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 On Air
Koji & Casks: A Discussion about Shochu and Whisky with Liam McNulty
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…
- Sake On Air
Talking sake with Toji Philip Harper at Kinoshita Brewery
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…
- Sake On Air
Visiting Fukushima Sake Breweries with Miho and Elvira
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…
- Sake On Air
The Changing of the Guard at Fujii Shuzo
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…
- Sake On Air
Happy Sake Day!
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…
- Sake On Air
On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 2)
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…
- Sake On Air
On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 1)
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…
- Sake On Air
Chatting Sake Volume Two
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 On Air
Opening THE GATE on Xavier Thuizat’s Recent Activities
We are back! Sake on Air’s long summer hiatus is over and you can expect lots of new episodes in the coming weeks and months. Starting off is an…
- Sake On Air
Kanpai Revisited: Catching up with Tom Wilson
This week on Sake On Air, host Cindy Bissig is joined by special guest host Julian Houseman to welcome back a familiar voice: Tom Wilson, co-founder and head…
- Sake On Air
Chatting Sake Volume One
We’re back with another episode of Sake On Air, and this week we’re trying something a little different! A casual catch-up session with our regular hosts, so…
- Sake On Air
Introducing Iberkanpai: A Conversation with Mayuko Sasayama
We’re back with another episode of Sake On Air, and this week we’re headed to Spain – where sake is making some exciting moves! In this episode, our…
- Sake On Air
Capturing Sake: A Special Photo Exhibition in Tokyo
We’re back with a brand-new episode of Sake On Air and this week, we’re bringing you behind the scenes of a special event – a sake-themed photo…
- Sake On Air
Find your Sake Language at Sake Dozo Kitchen
Our hosts, Sebastien Lemoine and Frank Walter made their way west to the little spot in Hachioji called Sake Dozo Kitchen. (Which is why the audio sounds a bit…
- Sake On Air
Busting Sake Myths
We’re back with a brand-new episode of Sake On Air, and this week, we’re doing things a little differently! Not an interview, not a deep dive into a trendy…
- Sake On Air
Talking with the Houseman of Sake House: Julian Houseman
Hold your breath, Osaka—there’s a new sake bar in town! After much anticipation, Julian Houseman has taken the leap and opened Sake House in Osaka! For those…
- Sake On Air
Sake 101 – A Short History of Sake
For the final episode of our Sake 101 mini-series we dive into the 2,000 years of history of sake. Cindy Bissig and Chris Hughes explore the evolution of sake…
- Sake On Air
Sake 101 – Hot vs. Cold Sake: The Great Debate!
As our Sake 101 miniseries continues, we’re diving into one of the most debated topics in the world of sake: hot vs. cold sake! Beyond just personal…
- Sake On Air
Sake 101 – The Art of Pairing Sake
We are continuing our Sake 101 series with a dive into sake pairing. Cindy Bissig sits down with Chris Hughes to discuss why sake is one of the best beverages…
- Sake On Air
Sake 101 – What is Premium Sake?
There is a lot of great sake out there, but how do you know what is “good” and what is not? There is no easy answer to that, because the answer is almost…
- Sake On Air
Sake 101 – How is Sake Made?
This is the second episode our “Sake 101” mini-series! In our first episode we covered the most basic question “What is Sake?” and we hoped that this would…
- Sake On Air
Sake 101 – What is Sake?
This week we kick off a brand-new mini-series in which we go back to the basics and focus on questions we all had at the start of our sake journey. Questions…
- Sake On Air
SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink by Yoshiko UENO-Müller
There is a new sake book on the market: SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink written by no other Yoshiko UENO-Müller, founder of Ueno…
- Sake On Air
Talking Koji with Higuchi Koichi
A few weeks ago we celebrated the exciting news of “Traditional Sake Brewing with Koji” being listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (if you missed it…
- Sake On Air
Traditional Sake Making is World Heritage!
Earlier this week the sake industry received some amazing news: “traditional sake brewing” was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage…
- Sake On Air
Oh the Omachi! A Sake Rice Deep Dive
Japanese sake is made from water, rice, and koji. There are many specific rice varieties cultivated for brewing sake, all of which are lumped together as…
- Sake On Air
Slinging Sake with Sake Samurai Adrian Goh
In our latest Podcast Cindy Bissig and Frank Walter had the pleasure to welcome no other than Singapore’s first Sake Samurai – Adrian Goh, the director…
- Sake On Air
Koji Cocktails with Sam Boulton
Sebastien Lemoine, Chris Hughes, and Miho Ota sit down with Sam Boulton, author, mixologist and drinks consultant to talk about his new book, “The Art of…
- Sake On Air
What even is a Sake GI?
Many people will be familiar with the word GI (Geographical Indication), especially if they are familiar with wine. Famous GIs are known around the world like…
- Sake On Air
Talking Spirits with the Advanced Shochu Academy 2024
As sake continues to gain popularity around the world, shochu is next in line. In August 2024, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) held its…
- Sake On Air
[Special Announcement] Sake & Shochu Events in October 2024
Happy Sake Day! Here is a list of events that are happening this month in Japan and around the world. Outside Japan (Sake Day Events) On October 1st in…
- Sake On Air
Nada: The Sleeping Giant
Nada is a well-known name in the world of sake. Almost a brand, it is associated with the area whose sake dominated the Edo (Tokyo) market in the later part of…
- Sake On Air
Exploring Shochu in Kagoshima with Maya Aley
This week on our show, we’re heading to Kagoshima, the heart of Japan’s shochu production! Join us as one of our regular hosts, Chris Pellegrini, sits down…
- Sake On Air
Natsuzake Revisited
Summer in Japan is hot! Too hot some might say. To help beat the heat, nihonshu producers sell a variety of sake called natsuzake or “summer sake.” But what is…
- Sake On Air
Finding Sake Seeker: Thai food and Sake
This week we are excited to welcome not just one, but two amazing guests to our table Yu Nakamura and Nattinee Sirirattanapol, aka Pam, who are changing the…
- Sake On Air
Selling Sake in Ginza with Maksim Polkin
We’re Back! This time we are talking to Maksim Polkin of Imadeya, one of the most well known sake distributors in Japan. He is usually at their Ginza Six…
- Sake On Air
Designing Your Own Sake with Nathaniel Hoy
This week Chris Hughes continues our discussion of contract brewing sake with a conversation with Nathaniel Hoy. We started this series with Episode-117: A…
- Sake On Air
Craft Sake Week with Rebekah Wilson Lye
In this week’s episode of Sake On Air Sebastien Lemoin and Cindy Bissig are talking about the World’s largest sake event, which just so happens to be a…
- Sake On Air
Preserving the Flavors of Sake with Coravin & Toku
During the recording of Episode 115 “Should sake be promoted like wine?”, Sarah Stewart mentioned a research project between some members of the British Sake…
- Sake On Air
A Sake of Your Own: Contract Brewing Sake
This week Justin Potts, Chris Hughes, and Sebastien Lemoine discuss the growing trend of sake companies making special sakes for clients and/or partners. The…
- Sake On Air
Rebroadcast: Matured Sake, Aged Sake
This week we’re digging a classic from out of the cellar – our episode exploring the absolute magic of sake that’s been crafted to stand the test of time…
- Sake On Air
Studying Sake with Michael Tremblay
It feels like only the very recent past when opportunities for more formal sake education and certifications were few and far between, and when they were…
- Sake On Air
Rebroadcast: Shochu 101
We’re getting back to basics this week in the world of shochu with one of our most popular shows from our back catalog: Shochu 101. Released back in December…