Join Portland Japanese Garden to connect with the culture of Japan through the nation’s signature beverage: sake! This exciting and exclusive afternoon tasting will feature products from Joto Sake, our official sake partner. Founded in 2005, Joto is one of the leading artisanal portfolios of its kind in the U.S. They represent ten multi-generational, family-owned jizake (local) breweries located throughout Japan.
Joto will present six special sake offerings to be paired with small bites. Yuto Someya, Western Region Sake Specialist for Joto Sake at Kobrand Corporation, will walk guests through the structure, history, and brewing process of a variety of sakes that are deeply connected to Japanese culture.
Sake is a drink that pairs well with virtually any food. To that end, each guest will receive a mini charcuterie board of small bites, including cheese, cured meat, nuts, and dessert*, prepared by Elephant’s Delicatessen. You will have the opportunity to mix and match different pairings with each sake that is offered, so you can take what you learned and experiment with your own sake and food pairings at home!
Sake that will be presented:
- Chikurin Fukamari Junmai (Marumoto Brewery, Okayama)
- Fuku Chitose Yamahai Junmai (Tajima Brewery, Fukui)
- Izumo Fuji Junmai Ginjo (Izumo Fuji Brewery, Shimane)
- Watari Bune Junmai Ginjo (Huchu Homare Brewery, Ibaraki)
- Shichi Hon Yari Junmai Daiginjo (Tomita Brewery, Shiga)
- Eiko Fuji Origarami Junmai Ginjo Nigori (Eiko Fuji Brewery, Yamagata)
*Vegetarian option available on request
About the Speaker:
Yuto Someya is the Western Regional Manager for Joto Sake. With nearly a decade in the alcohol industry and a WSET Level 3 Award in Sake, he draws on his bicultural background – born in Japan and raised in Southern California – to connect Japanese sake with new audiences. He lives in Orange County with his wife and two children.
About Joto Sake:
Joto Sake, the official sake partner of Portland Japanese Garden, has a mission to serve as a bridge between Japanese artisanal sake and the American market. Japanese for “highest level,” Joto describes the makers of their sake and their aspirations as their importer. They are the exclusive importer for multi-generational, family-owned breweries whom they identify and approach after trying their sake in Japan and reading about their brands in Japanese food and beverage publications. Joto’s jizake breweries are located throughout Japan, producing sake in small batches with locally-raised indigenous rice varieties, offering flavors and styles ideal for a range of cuisines. Offering a unique journey into the heart of the world of sake, Joto’s bottles feature English-language labels with producer names, locations and helpful tasting notes.
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