Glass half full: Japan’s sake trade celebrates a brighter 2024

A hexagonal, darkish wood-paneled counter at Sake Studio Tokyo is lined with bottles — and anticipation.

Miniature jars are laid out earlier than me as I’m about to (re)familiarize myself with the aromas they comprise. I take a whiff of a grapefruit sweet after which curiously discover it tickling my nostril as I sip sake from elegant wine glasses. Questions and proclamations from these on the counter develop bolder (“How can the rice be the identical however the taste so completely different?”) as I gulp down the free refills on supply.

I’m at a transformed Showa Era (1926-89) tobacco store in Tokyo’s Kanda neighborhood for a brand-new tasting expertise, a part of a wave of rising curiosity in Japan’s nationwide drink. As the variety of abroad guests to Japan continues to skyrocket, the nation’s delicacies is within the highlight, and sake-focused experiences are very a lot in demand.