I'm Kenji from Kyoto, a certified international sake sommelier and long-time resident of Kyoto. I was born in Hyogo and have lived in Kyoto for over 26 years. After graduating university, I honed my English in Australia before returning to Japan to work in the craft sake and beer industry, with the goal of promoting Japanese brands internationally.

While working at a sake brewery in Hyogo for many years, I had the pleasure of tasting over 1,000 sakes from breweries in Japan — and around the world. I traveled often for business and had the opportunity to learn how Japanese cuisine and sake are enjoyed outside of Japan. 

I love sake, obviously, but also have a passion for meeting new people and sharing some of the highlights of Japanese culture. Please join me, either for in-person tours in Kyoto or online for Japanese and sake-focused lessons, and deepen your knowledge of Japan!