Sake On Air
Episodes
Sipping in Style: Exploring Japan’s Sake Cups
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 remark...
Seeking Shizuoka Sake with Jacky Royer
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Sebastien Lemoine, John Gauntner, and Chris Hughes (and Frank Walter) interview Jacky Royer about sake, food, and travel in Shizuoka. ...
A Traveler’s Guide to Awamori in Okinawa
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 A...
Izakaya 102: Some of Our Recommendations for Good Sake, Good Food, and Good Company
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Following up on our Izakaya 101 episode, Frank, Cindy, and Chris share some of their favorite sake focused restaurants and watering holes. Cindy took ...
Going to Sake Events and How to Find Them
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Going to Sake Events and How to Find Them
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Exploring Shiga: Breweries, Izakaya, and other Sake Travel Tips
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 vib...
Exploring Shiga: Breweries, Izakaya, and other Sake Travel Tips
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 vib...
Talking to Students of JSS Sake and Shochu Academy 2026
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every February, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association holds the Sake and Shochu Academy, a week-long course that teaches students everything th...
Talking to Students of JSS Sake and Shochu Academy 2026
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every February, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association holds the Sake and Shochu Academy, a week-long course that teaches students everything th...
A Sake on Air News Bulletin: The State of Sake Exports
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of our new format “Bulletin” episodes, Chris reports back from the JSS’s annual press conference, sharing current export figures, ...
A Sake on Air News Bulletin: The State of Sake Exports
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of our new format “Bulletin” episodes, Chris reports back from the JSS’s annual press conference, sharing current export figures, ...
Songs of Sake for Koto and Shamisen with Bobby Griffin
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Frank visited the multi-instrumentalist Bobby Griffin at his home and studio to talk about how sake is treated in traditional Japanese music. In parti...
Songs of Sake for Koto and Shamisen with Bobby Griffin
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Frank visited the multi-instrumentalist Bobby Griffin at his home and studio to talk about how sake is treated in traditional Japanese music. In parti...
The Hao and the Why of Tasting Sake
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Hao and the Why of Tasting Sake
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
A Sake on Air Bulletin: All Aboard the GI train to Kanto Shinetsu
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 bac...
A Sake on Air News Bulletin: All Aboard the GI train to Kanto Shinetsu
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 bac...
Gekkeikan’s Past, Present, and Future with Okura Taiji-san
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ri...
Gekkeikan’s Past, Present, and Future with Okura Taiji-san
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ri...
Discovering Kochi Sake with Simone Maynard and Taichiro Ogi
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 com...
Discovering Kochi Sake with Simone Maynard and Taichiro Ogi
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 com...
Visiting an Izakaya 101: Tips and Advice from Sake on Air
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Imada-san and Sebastien (and a late arriving guest) as they talk all things Izakaya. These Japanese drinking and eating establishments are the fo...
Visiting an Izakaya 101: Tips and Advice from Sake on Air
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Imada-san and Sebastien (and a late arriving guest) as they talk all things Izakaya. These Japanese drinking and eating establishments are the fo...
The Cloudy Origins of Sake and Other Sips of History
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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: T...
The Cloudy Origins of Sake and Other Sips of History
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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: T...
Catching up on 5 years of Zenkuro with founder David Joll
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Catching up on 5 years of Zenkuro with founder David Joll
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Koji & Casks: A Discussion about Shochu and Whisky with Liam McNulty
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Liam McNulty, the man behind nomunication.jp and a standing member of the Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition (TWSC) managing committee, joins Frank ...
Koji & Casks: A Discussion about Shochu and Whisky with Liam McNulty
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Liam McNulty, the man behind nomunication.jp and a standing member of the Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition (TWSC) managing committee, joins Frank ...
Talking sake with Toji Philip Harper at Kinoshita Brewery
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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-Ja...
Talking sake with Toji Philip Harper at Kinoshita Brewery
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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-Ja...
Visiting Fukushima Sake Breweries with Miho and Elvira
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Fukus...
Visiting Fukushima Sake Breweries with Miho and Elvira
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Fukus...
The Changing of the Guard at Fujii Shuzo
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sebastien and Chris had a lovely time talking to Norihiro Fujii of Fujji Shuzo, makers of Ryusei. Their conversation was wide ranging: covering the hi...
The Changing of the Guard at Fujii Shuzo
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sebastien and Chris had a lovely time talking to Norihiro Fujii of Fujji Shuzo, makers of Ryusei. Their conversation was wide ranging: covering the hi...
Happy Sake Day!
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
Happy Sake Day!
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 2)
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fri...
On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 2)
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 1)
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 H...
On Location at the Kokushu Fair 2025 (Part 1)
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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! Chr...
Chatting Sake Volume Two
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 st...
Chatting Sake Volume Two
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 start...
Opening THE GATE on Xavier Thuizat’s Recent Activities
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 inter...
Opening THE GATE on Xavier Thuizat’s Recent Activities
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Kanpai Revisited: Catching up with Tom Wilson
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Kanpai Revisited: Catching up with Tom Wilson
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Chatting Sake Volume One
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 regula...
Chatting Sake Volume One
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 regula...
Introducing Iberkanpai: A Conversation with Mayuko Sasayama
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Introducing Iberkanpai: A Conversation with Mayuko Sasayama
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 epis...
Capturing Sake: A Special Photo Exhibition in Tokyo
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ex...
Capturing Sake: A Special Photo Exhibition in Tokyo
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ph...
Find your Sake Language at Sake Dozo Kitchen
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 sou...
Find your Sake Language at Sake Dozo Kitchen
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 sou...
Busting Sake Myths
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Busting Sake Myths
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Talking with the Houseman of Sake House: Julian Houseman
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Os...
Talking with the Houseman of Sake House: Julian Houseman
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Sake 101 – A Short History of Sake
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Sake 101 – A Short History of Sake
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Sake 101 – Hot vs. Cold Sake: The Great Debate!
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 per...
Sake 101 – Hot vs. Cold Sake: The Great Debate!
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 person...
Sake 101 – The Art of Pairing Sake
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Sake 101 – The Art of Pairing Sake
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Sake 101 – What is Premium Sake?
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Sake 101 – What is Premium Sake?
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Sake 101 – How is Sake Made?
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Sake 101 – How is Sake Made?
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Sake 101 – What is Sake?
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. Qu...
Sake 101 – What is Sake?
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. Qu...
SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink by Yoshiko UENO-Müller
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Go...
SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink by Yoshiko UENO-Müller
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 U...
Talking Koji with Higuchi Koichi
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago we celebrated the exciting news of “Traditional Sake Brewing with Koji” being listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (if ...
Talking Koji with Higuchi Koichi
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago we celebrated the exciting news of “Traditional Sake Brewing with Koji” being listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (if ...
Traditional Sake Making is World Heritage!
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week the sake industry received some amazing news: "traditional sake brewing" was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ho...
Traditional Sake Making is World Heritage!
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week the sake industry received some amazing news: “traditional sake brewing” was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural ...
Oh the Omachi! A Sake Rice Deep Dive
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Oh the Omachi! A Sake Rice Deep Dive
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Slinging Sake with Sake Samurai Adrian Goh
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 direc...
Slinging Sake with Sake Samurai Adrian Goh
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Koji Cocktails with Sam Boulton
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sebastien Lemoine, Chris Hughes, and Miho Ota sit down with Sam Boulton, author, mixologist and drinks consultant to talk about his new book, “The A...
Koji Cocktails with Sam Boulton
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sebastien Lemoine, Chris Hughes, and Miho Ota sit down with Sam Boulton, author, mixologist and drinks consultant to talk about his new book, “The A...
What even is a Sake GI?
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many people will be familiar with the word GI (Geographical Indication), especially if they are familiar with wine. Famous GIs are known around the wo...
What even is a Sake GI?
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many people will be familiar with the word GI (Geographical Indication), especially if they are familiar with wine. Famous GIs are known around the wo...
Talking Spirits with the Advanced Shochu Academy 2024
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Talking Spirits with the Advanced Shochu Academy 2024
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
[Special Announcement] Sake & Shochu Events in October 2024
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Octobe...
[Special Announcement] Sake & Shochu Events in October 2024
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Nada: The Sleeping Giant
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 late...
Nada: The Sleeping Giant
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 late...
Exploring Shochu in Kagoshima with Maya Aley
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Exploring Shochu in Kagoshima with Maya Aley
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Natsuzake Revisited
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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.”...
Natsuzake Revisited
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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.”...
Finding Sake Seeker: Thai food and Sake
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 changi...
Finding Sake Seeker: Thai food and Sake
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 changi...
Selling Sake in Ginza with Maksim Polkin
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Selling Sake in Ginza with Maksim Polkin
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...