Discover The World of Japanese Sake With Me!
As a certified sake sommelier, my passion is to help people discover Japanese sake. I am a sake Podcast host, photographer, and writer creating unique sake-related content and turning vacations into unforgettable travel experiences.
I travel all over Japan to meet brewers, discover outstanding sake and share what I find in multiple publications. I love meeting people, so if you are coming to Japan, whether you are looking for a sake tasting - overlooking the beautiful cherry blossoms or a luxury sake dinner in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Sapporo, join me for an hour, a day, or a week!
Want to join me on my sake travels, collaborate or work with me get in touch now!
Recent News!
'Beyond Sake' presented by Ace Hotel Kyoto and Kyotographi KG+
The Lobby Gallery at Ace Hotel Kyoto is excited to present "Beyond Sake," — a new exhibition and long-term photographic project by Japan-based sake professional and writer-photographer Cindy Bissig. The project documents craft communities through an intimate focus on sake breweries and the people who sustain them.
By observing daily labor, shared environments and the transmission of knowledge across generations, the Beyond Sake highlights the collective life behind sake production. Through this perspective, it offers insight into a living cultural practice that continues to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in Japanese tradition.
On view April 1–30. Join us for the opening reception on April 1 from 6–8pm. More info about the exhibition can be found on the official website of Kyotodgraphie KG+ 2026.
Tokyo Sake Challenge 2026
After months of preparation, the Tokyo Sake Challenge 2026 finally took place for the second time in the very heart of Tokyo!
For the first time, international Sake Sommeliers joined the Challenge to evaluate the wonderful sake from all over Japan, and exciting entries from overseas, including doburoku and craft sake.
A truly special day thanks to the support of SSA, the volunteers, the judges, and of course, the amazing beverages that the breweries entrusted the sommeliers with.
Results will be announced on the 28 of April - stay tuned...
New Article for 'SMILE' Cebu Pacific's Inflight Magazine
If you happen to fly with Cebu Pacific this March, you might spot Cindy's latest feature in their in-flight magazine 'Smile' alongside her photographs!
The 8-page feature is called “Three Days in Tokyo Under US$300”, a feature guide showing how much of the city you can experience without spending a fortune. One of the places featured is one of her favourites; Konohanano Brewery and their izakaya All (W)Right, which was one of the reasons many, many years ago she fell in love with Doboroku.
New Article for All About Japan
In this article on Shodoshima, Cindy Bissig is focusing on the island’s beauty, its fermentation culture, the revival of traditional kioke (wooden barrels), which includes a visit to @yamaroku.shoyu and, of course, its only sake brewery @morikunisakegura.
If you get the chance to visit Japan - this is one place you should not miss! Unique, a great getaway, with so much to discover!
Read it here in English or check out the Chinese version.
Joining the BKK Sake Challenge
The very first Bangkok Sake Challenge was held in Thailand, and Cindy Bissig was honoured to join as a professional sake sommelier to be a judge at this incredible event.
It was an amazing opportunity to meet not just other professional sake lovers in such a unique setting in the heart of Bangkok, but also to understand the market and dive into the amazing food culture as part of it.
Results will be announced on the 21st of April - stay tuned...
Lending a hand at Yamamoto Honke's Kurabiraki
Yamamoto Honke’s Kurabiraki was held in Fushimi on the 14th of February and for once Cindy Bissig joined the Kurabito to help serving sake for the day!
The turnout was incredible, with people lining up from 9:30, and the queue for freshly pressed sake never seemed to end.
"'Such a joy to be on the other side of the counter for once - pouring sake, sharing smiles, and feeling how excited everyone was to celebrate together."
Beyond Sake - Munich
This January, the first event showcasing Cindy Bissig's Longterm Project 'Beyond Sake' is coming to Munich as part of the 3rd edition of the Munich Japanese Sake New Year’s Event organised by @agedsake.de in Munich!
This will be her second exhibition in Munich, following Cindy's debut with Blurred Reality at KG+ / Kyotographie 2022.
Event Info:
📅 Sunday, January 4
🕣 14:00-19:00 - come by anytime
🔗 RSVP via link in Bio
📍Monaco Ramen, Pestalozzistraße 9, 80469 München
T+L Tastemakers!
Cindy Bissig is honoured to have been part of the T+L Tastemakers expert panel this year, among some of the most incredible writers, bartenders, and chefs, where she got to nominate restaurants and bars across Southeast Asia (and for the first time, Japan).
Meet the amazing panel here: https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/sea/tl-tastemakers/tl-tastemakers-2025-26-meet-our-panel-of-judges/
Tokyo Sake Challenge Announcment
The “Tokyo Sake Challenge” will be back in 2026 and Cindy Bissig once again will be acting as Chairman of this incredible event, together with Giula Maglio as Co-chairman and the Challenge will take place on March 28th, 2026!
This is an incredible honor and an amazing opportunity to foster more connections between sake sommeliers both in and outside of Japan. It’s also a fantastic platform for sake breweries to showcase their outstanding craftsmanship and products.
They are thrilled to have again extended the official judging categories to include Craftsake and Doburoku, along with Koshu and Sparkling Sake, with medals to be awarded per category!
Furthermore, the Tokyo Sake Challenge is welcoming professional Sake Sommeliers from all around the world to make this year's event truly international and create more opportunities for breweries to get their products in front of an international audience right here in Japan!
If you’re a brewery or know one that should be part of the Tokyo Sake Challenge, you can find all the details at https://tokyosakechallenge.com (or get in touch with us directly)
Latest Article for the Japan Times
Read more about the current Sake trends, both domestic and global, as Cindy Bissig reports back from the 2nd Sake Samurai Summit, published in The Japan Times.
Find out more about what industry leaders such as Adrian Goh, Interrice Asia, or Soichiro Tsuji, Tsuji Honten have to say, as well as a look behind the scenes of the events organised by the Japan Sake Brewers Association Junior Council here.
Kobe's Best Bars
Earlier this year, Cindy Bissig had the chance to work as a photographer on a really fun project – capturing some of Kobe’s best bars for a bar pamphlet introducing the city’s amazing cocktail scene
The pamphlet is now out in the wild and can be found in bars and hotels around Kobe. For anyone looking for inspiration on where to drink in Kobe, check out the full digital version here.
Judging at the 3rd Women's Sake Award 2025
Cindy Bissig had the honor of serving as a judge at the 3rd Japan Women’s SAKE Award 2025 held in Kobe, alongside TwTT founder and Sake Samurai Simone Maynard!
The day was dedicated to evaluating outstanding sake, with particular excitement in being assigned to the Sparkling Sake and Koshu (Aged Sake) categories. In addition to the judging, it was also a wonderful opportunity to join a special tour organized for the judges, visiting renowned sake breweries in Kobe and Osaka..
Latest Article for Travel+Leisure Print Issue: Amami Magic!
Cindy is excited about the release of the latest Travel + Leisure print issue, featuring her article on Amami Ōshima and the island’s iconic Nishihira Distillery!
Discover Japan’s best hidden beaches, vibrant local cuisine, and the spirit that ties it all together—kokuto shochu—offering readers a taste of the island’s unique charm and culture.
Latest Article for Travel+Leisure Magazine:Spanish Food and Sake
In her latest article for Travel + Leisure Asia: “Spanish Food in Kyoto? Madrid Fusion x Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Proves the Future of Food is Multi-lingual”, Cindy Bissig explores how culinary boundaries blur in the most delicious ways with a chance to weave in a touch of sake, thanks to an exceptional pairing by Tamae Imachi, the sommelier at Michelin-starred Dos Palillos in Barcelona.
One highlight? A smoked sheep’s milk cheese, Idiázabal Ahumado, paired with “AFS Ensemble Expo” from Kidoizumi Brewery in Chiba—a pairing that truly captured the spirit of cross-cultural creativity.
You can read the full article here.
Through the Lens of Sake: Cindy Bissig at Singapore Sake Matsuri
Cindy Bissig was excited to showcase her photo series of Tokubee Masuda Shoten — the historic Kyoto brewery behind Tsukinokatsura — at this year’s Singapore Sake Matsuri.
Visitors were invited not only to taste the sake, but also to connect with the people behind it through striking visuals and an interview with 15th-generation brewer Jun Masuda. It was a special chance to go beyond the glass and discover the story behind one of Japan’s most beloved beverages.
A Beginner's Guide to Japanese Sake with Sake On Air!
As sake is slowly becoming increasingly popular, I recently produced a Sake 101 mini‑series on Sake On Air, with the goal of demystifying Japanese sake. The series dives into the essential questions that every sake enthusiast — and curious newcomer — is likely to encounter on their sake journey.
Across six bite‑sized episodes, we explore the history of sake, brewing, sake classifications, sake pairings, serving temperature, and look a little into why you should (or shouldn't) drink premium sake—and yes, it's as fun as it sounds!
Find out more here.
Doburoku Takeover at Omunomu Bar – Special Event on May 15th
Excited to bring the spirit of Japan’s doburoku brewing to Singapore with a special photo showcase of Konohanano Craft Brewery.
With a collaboration with "Omunomu," one of Singapore's trendiest sake bars, we organised an exclusive one-night-only Doburoku Takeover on May 15th featuring behind-the-scenes photography and a special drink menu including limited items brewed by the brewery, as well as a one week long photo exhibition.
Tokyo Sake Challenge Announcment
The BIG news this week (finally!) is that I can officially reveal that Giulia and I have been asked to bring the Sake Challenge to Japan! I’m beyond excited to announce that the very first “Tokyo Sake Challenge” will take place on March 15, 2025!
This is an incredible honor and an amazing opportunity to foster more connections between sake sommeliers both in and outside of Japan. It’s also a fantastic platform for sake breweries to showcase their outstanding craftsmanship and products.
Since Giulia and I are huge fans of Craft Sake and Doburoku, we’re thrilled to introduce them as official judging categories - with medals to be awarded!
We hope this event will highlight the diversity of Japan’s sake industry and its talented makers. Judging by the entries we’ve already received, this is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for everyone involved!
If you’re a brewery or know one that should be part of the Tokyo Sake Challenge - you can find all the details at https://tokyosakechallenge.com (or get in touch with us directly) Entry deadline is the 5th of March, 2025 and spots are limited!
New Article!
Excited to have a short piece about one of my favorite Sake Breweries, Miyoshino Jozo (makers of Hanatomoe) appear in Travel+Leisures special “Japan Issue”.
The article is not just about Sake but dives into how Sake connects the communities surrounding it. In this case, it centers around the Yoshino Forest and its Cedar Trees and three people who, little by little, make sure these traditions surrounding it are not lost.
Read the full article here.
Sake Brewery Photo Exhibition
I am very excited to share that I was invited to exhibit some photos under the theme “Light in and Around Sake Breweries” together with Anat Parnass and Anna Petek at the 日本の酒情報館 Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center!
The exhibition is held from the 8th to the 14th of February. Entrance is of course free and you can either come and see the photos in your own time during normal business hours (10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday, closed on the weekend) or join us for the opening on the 8th of February for a toast.
Kura One Sake Chocolates
It's great to see the final ad for these beautiful chocolates and sake from Kura One for the Valentine's Campaign for which I took the photo!
They are absolutely delicious and you can again get the set as part of a special Valentine’s Campaign, here is the info:
Period: Monday, January 20, 2025 to Sunday, February 2, 2025
Product: "KURA ONE® Luxury Sake Chocolate for Adults (12 pieces) + Box of 3 Sake Cans 180mL"
Campaign page: https://kuraone.com/products/4595644645732-gift
Every year we are holding a special Doburoku event to celebrate "Doburoku Day" at the FBO Academy in Tokyo!
Lots of different Doburoku to taste, some special guests from overseas, and of course local Doburoku makers to kanpai with! I will be presenting some latest News on Doburoku from Overseas. Chatting to the amazing Alex, owner OMU NOMU sake bar in Singapore!
Check out the full info here!
26.11 is Doburoku Day!
I was delighted to meet with Paul McInnes from Tokyo Weekender for an early 8 am Coffee and talk a little bit about my sake nomad life, other projects, and of course photography.
A real fun chat and I was so excited to not just share a little bit of what I do, but to also give a few shout-outs to people who have changed my life and helped and supported me in one way or another on my sake journey...
Check out the full interview here!
Interview: Tokyo Weekender!
A few months ago the lovely people from Arigato Travel asked me if I was interested in being interviewed about my life here in Japan, including sharing some of my projects and of course talking about sake.
I was very excited to not just chat a little bit about what I do, but also give a few shout-outs to projects and people that I think are doing an amazing job promoting sake both in and outside of Japan...
...and here it is!
Check out the full interview here!
Interview: Arigato Japan!
Doburoku Ambassador!
When I fell in love with Doburoku a few years ago I would not have thought I would become a Doburoku Ambassador, so when I was asked to join the amazing group of people who promote Doburoku at Doburoku Lovers, I was surprised and felt incredibly honored and excited!
Find out more here!
EVENT: #beyondsake x Tsukiji Sake Salon x Miyoshikiku Sake Brewery
Another event of my #beyondsake series, this time in collaboration with Tsukiji Sake Salon in Tokyo and Miyoshikiku Sake Brewery from Shikoku!
I am looking forward to sharing my impressions of the brewery through my photography exhibited on the day of my visit when I helped make sake with them last year and I am uber-excited as Kuramoto-Toji, Mamiya-san, and two of his daughters will be joining the evening bringing plenty of sake as well as some of his hand-made T-shirts!
Check out upcoming sake events for more info.
This Month in Sake!
Being pretty much continuously on the road exploring what is happening in the sake industry, I thought I should create a space to document my sake travels, even if just briefly. So I created "This Month in Sake", which highlights some of the sake breweries I visited, festivals & sake events, and of course the people I have met along the road.
