On Monday, December 8th, 2014, the Japanese Consulate celebrated the Japanese Emperor's Birthday at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. With over 400 guests in attendance, the guest list included many high profile members of the British Columbia Provincial Government, the City of Vancouver and various professional and industry representatives. The Sake Association of BC members were there to provide a "taste of Japan" with sake sampling throughout the four-hour event. Many there were already avid sake drinkers, and some were new to it. Either way, a good time was had by all attending and the SABC gives it's thanks to the Japanese Consul General and his staff.

Sunday November 16th, 2014 saw the Sake Association of British Columbia present "Sake on the Wine List". Thanks to all those who attended a sake lecture by braving the old morning air of Whistler, British Columbia to come out and listen to presenter Masa Shiroki (of Artisan Sakemaker). From 11:00AM to 12:30PM, guests got the chance to taste a variety of sake from British Columbia and Japan, with Chigusa Poppell (of PureSake4U), Richard Yasushi Ii (of Select Wine and Spirit Merchants, Inc.) and master brewer Yoshiaki Kasugai (of YK3 Sake Brewery) were present to speak on their products and answer questions. 9 different sakes with a variety of flavor profiles were on-hand including some special specialty products:

* Fraser Valley Junmai Sake, Junmai
* Koto Sen Nen, Junmai Daiginjo
* Umi Blu, Ginjo
* Masumi Kippuku Kinju, Junmai Ginjo Yamahai
* Zuiyo Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Ginjo
* Gekkeikan Nigori Sake, Nigori
* Hikomago Junmai Daiginjo, Junmai Daiginjo
* Hakkaisan Sparkling Nigori, Sparkling Nigori
* Yu Junmai All Koji, Junmai

We hope to see everyone again for Cornucopia in 2015, and hopefully, it won't be so early on a Sunday morning.

 Hundreds of lovers of sake came to sample 50 different kinds of sake and plum wines from all of the major sake distributors and local producers during the annual charity event. This is the largest sake tasting event in Western Canada and possibly in all of Canada.  Coupled with delicious appetizers from some of the top restaurants and food suppliers in Vancouver, all members of the SABC presented their products in the beautiful grand ballroom of the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel.
 In addition to the main tasting hall, up to 32 sake aficionados had the opportunity of choosing a Special VIP Ticket package which included an exclusive 45 minute seminar on sake presented by SABC member, Richard Yasushi Ii of Select Wine and Spirits Merchants. It was a chance to taste some unique sake not generally available in Canada and all guests received a VIP sake tasting cup and some special gifts to take home as well. A very successful event with great turnout. We hope to see all of you next year in 2015!

As part of the 2014 Nikkei Matsuri held at the Japanese Canadian National Museum & Cultural Center, the Sake Association of British Columbia held a series of sake tasting seminars run by Iori Kataoka and SABC's Mariko Tajiri. The four sessions which were held on Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st and showcased five different sakes during each session. Each seminar was followed by an impromptu question and answer period. Many guests took the chance to take a break from the proceedings at the festival to learn something about sake and taste through the differing flavour profiles of the products on-hand. Outside in the beer garden, SABC had it's own booth where people could come and relax outdoors in what turned out to be a great, mostly sunny weekend. This year's Nikkei Matsuri had a record turnout.

SABC will present a series of four sake tasting seminars which will span five different sake. The series will be run by Iori Kataoka and the SABC's Marijo Tajiri. There will be four sessions, with tickets at $20/person. Each session will be identical in content.

Saturday, August 30th, 2014
Session 1: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Session 2: 4:00PM - 5:00PM

Sunday, August 31st, 2014
Session 1: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Session 2: 4:00PM - 5:00PM

The Venue is the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Center
2nd Floor, Matsu Room
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC


Tickets can be purchased day-of (pending availability) or can be purchased in advance through our website at the following establishments:

Shuraku Sake Bar & Bistro: 833 Granville Street, Vancouver, 604.687.6622
Viti Wine and Lager Store: 900 Seymour Street, Vancouver, 604.683.3806
Artisan SakeMaker: 1339 Railspur Alley, Vancouver, 604.685.7253

On Saturday, October 4th, 2014, Tonari Gumi (The Vancouver Japanese Volunteer Association) will hold it's 13th Annual Premium Sake Tasting Night and Silent Auction. All proceeds to towards Tonari Gumi's seniors and community programs in East Vancouver. 

A wide variety of sakes from all 9 of SABC's members will be on hand for sampling, along with some food provided by AFCC, Shuraku, and Minami.

All tickets to the event must be purchased in advance through the SABC Website, or Tonari Gumi's website:
www.tonarigumi.ca. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
or in person at 101 - 42 West 8th Ave., Vancouver, BC
604.687.2172


Tickets can be purchased at the following rates:
Early Bird Ticket (Until Sept. 19th): $75
Regular Ticket (After Sept. 19th): $80
VIP Ticket Package (Includes Special Sake Seminar): $115
The event will be held at The Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver. 

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Sake Association of British Columbia (“SABC” or the “Association”) on October 1, 2013 to promote the growth of Japanese Sake and its food culture in British Columbia.  The 9 members of the Association represent the Sake importers and producers currently working in BC.  

Until now, Sake has been considered an exotic Asian alcoholic beverage and typically only consumed at Japanese restaurants. The SABC’s mission is to raise awareness of Sake and to expand its distribution throughout British Columbia.  We are hoping that Sake, a key representation of Japanese culture, will become engrained in the daily life of British Columbians and extend across Canada, to be enjoyed with a variety of cuisines and occasions.  

The Association was formed on October 1, 2013 to coincide with National Sake Day in Japan.   As Sake is traditionally produced in the winter, October 1st is considered to be the beginning of the New Year for Sake. In Japan, Sake has been officially recognized as the National Drink “Kokushu” and served at formal ceremonies.  The Japanese government also actively promotes Sake export to increase the recognition of Sake around the world.  

In keeping with the Japanese respect for nature, seasonality and locality, “Washoku”, or Japanese food culture, has a unique and special place in the lives of the Japanese people. Consequently, as an essential part of cultural identity, “Washoku”, has been awarded the designation of an Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2013. 

Sake plays an important role in culinary traditions and gastronomy of Japan. As such, it is the Association’s mission and commitment as Japanese cultural ambassadors, to build awareness, increase knowledge, appreciation and understanding of Sake to British Columbians. 


BC州日本酒協会は正式名称を“The Sake Association of British Columbia”とし、BC州における日本酒とその食文化の推進の為、日本酒輸入代理店7社と日本酒醸造会社2社により2013年10月1日に設立されました。

日 本国内において10月1日は「日本酒」の日に定められており、その日にちなんでの設立となりました。また10月1日は日本酒業界において一年の始まりの日 でもあり、秋のお米の収穫の後、冬の酒造りへと入っていきます。日本酒は日本国内で公式な飲物として多種多様な行事でも使用され、日本政府は「國酒」と認 定し国内のみにとどまらず世界規模での推進活動を行なっています。

また、嬉しいニュースとして「和食」が2013年に、新たにユネスコの無形文化遺産として登録されました。「和食」という「自然を尊ぶ」という日本人の気質に基づいた「食」に関する習わしと位置づけされるものです。

現 在、日本酒はアジアの食文化を代表するアルコール飲料のひとつとして和食レストランを中心に取り扱われ消費されています。当協会はBC州において日本酒を 普及させ、更なる日本酒業界の地位向上と発展を目指し、日本酒をより身近なアルコール飲料として定着させる事を目的としています。今後も日本食文化の誇る 日本酒の奥深さとその多様性を和食に併せて一人でも多くの人に理解して貰い、その普及に努め日本とカナダの架け橋となるよう活動していきます。