It was a debut so spectacular, it could be called an “incident”. In April 1992, Keio Plaza Hotel opened the first sake bar in the industry, Amanogawa. It was also the year when the Japanese sake classification system was abolished, allowing people to choose sake based on quality, such as the type of rice and region. Amanogawa shared the charm and enjoyment of sake with new ideas that had never been seen before, such as selecting glasses according to the characteristics of sake and serving sake in carafes, which was rare at the time. The bar appeared in the media daily and played a leading role in the sake boom by creating an image of sake as a stylish and enjoyable drink.
From sake selection tailored to each customer’s taste by a “Kikisake-shi” (certified sake sommelier), to the optimal way to drink sake, exquisite warm sake, sake paired appetizers and dishes, and even the sake utensils, Amanogawa’s dedication and charm has remained unchanged since its inception. In 2003, Amanogawa started the “Kuramoto no Kai” (Sake Brewers’ Association) event, introducing hidden gems and recommended sake from breweries across Japan, always keeping an eye out for new flavors and trends. In 2005, Amanogawa relocated and renewed its interior at the Japanese restaurant Kagari, allowing customers to enjoy sake while conversing with the Kikisake-shi over the counter. With the recent registration of Washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, sake has been receiving much attention. Amanogawa, having accumulated many years of experience, now welcomes a diverse range of international customers. Tonight, the warm and friendly “Kanpai” (cheers) can be heard once again at the counter, as guests seek the many charms and pleasures of “Sake”.
