2025.04
16
Comprehensive Summary of 29 Sake Contests: Judging Criteria and Award Rates
Have you ever noticed a label or tag on a sake bottle boasting accolades like “Gold Prize Winner at the A Sake Appraisal” or “Winner of the B Contest”? Sake competitions, which assess the craftsmanship and quality of sake, are held across the globe.
Hearing that a sake has won an award might lead you to assume it must be exceptional. However, the top honors vary by competition, and even the criteria for gold prizes can differ significantly. Some competitions have a high percentage of gold medalists, while others maintain a more exclusive selection process, making it difficult to gauge what each award truly represents.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of major sake competitions, including their award categories, judging methods, and winner selection rates, to help you better understand what these accolades signify.
Note: All competition details are based on the most recent verifiable results as of Mar 10, 2025.
Contests held in Japan
To begin, we introduce nine key sake competitions held in Japan. For contests where the number of entries per category is publicly available, we have also calculated the award rate, providing deeper insight into the level of competition and exclusivity of each accolade.
Annual Japan Sake Awards
The most prestigious and representative sake competition in Japan is the Annual Japan Sake Awards, organized by the National Research Institute of Brewing (Japan’s national sake research institute) and the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (the industry’s leading organization). This competition serves as a benchmark for technical excellence, evaluating the quality of sake brewed in the current year with the aim of refining brewing techniques and elevating overall sake quality.
As Japan’s oldest and most widely participated sake competition, it attracts numerous breweries seeking to assess their craftsmanship against the highest industry standards. The awards are regarded as a trusted measure of excellence, respected by both experts and dedicated sake enthusiasts alike.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Gold Prize Among the award-winning sake, those that are recognized as having particularly excellent results Award Those that pass the preliminary judging as having excellent results and are not excluded from the award-winning sake in the final judging |
| Category | Any entry is accepted as long as it can be called Japanese Sake or nihonshu. |
| Judging criteria and method | Two-stage judging - preliminary judging and final judging Criteria: Whether the harmony and characteristics of the aroma and flavor are good, considering the dignity and drinking characteristics of ginjo sake Method:The submitted sake is grouped according to the concentration of aroma components, and then arranged from those with low glucose concentration to those with high glucose concentration, and then sensory evaluation is carried out for each item of aroma, taste and overall evaluation |
| Judges | Sake Research Institute staff, National Tax Agency staff, academics with experience in brewing, sake production and sales industry, sake brewing technology instructors, etc. |
| Number of entries | 828 entries from 828 breweries |
| First held | 1911 |
| Organizer | National Research Institute of Brewing, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association |
| Website | https://www.nrib.go.jp/data/kan/ |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Entries | Gold Prize | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 828 | 195 (23.6%) | 392 (47.3%) |
Kan Sake (Hot Sake) Award
Kan Sake Award is the world’s only sake competition dedicated exclusively to evaluating warm sake. Its mission is to highlight the unique appeal of kanzake (warmed/hot sake) and promote its enjoyment.
Beyond the awards, winning sakes receive special recognition at the “Oden de Atsukan Station” event, held on the platform of JR Ryogoku Station, where attendees can experience these exceptional warm sakes firsthand.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Grand Gold Prize Top 5% of the average score of the judges' evaluation scores Gold Prize Top 30% of the average score of the judges' evaluation scores |
| Category | Value-for-money warm sake category (45°C) 720ml: 1,250 yen or less, or 1.8L: 2,200 yen or less Value-for-money hot sake category (55°C) 720ml: 1,100 yen or less, or 1.8L: 2,200 yen or less Premium warm sake category (45°C) 720mL over 1,250 yen and 1.8L over 2,500 yen Premium hot sake category (55°C) 720mL over 1,250 yen and 1.8L over 2,500 yen Special warm sake category (45℃) cloudy sake, aged sake, cask sake, etc. |
| Judging criteria and method | Control the judging temperature with hot water, and blindly judge it on a 5-point scale. |
| Judges | Izakaya owners, distributors, etc. |
| Number of entries | 939 items |
| First held | 2009 |
| Organizer | Sakebunka Institute, Inc. |
| Website | http://www.kansake.jp/ |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Grand Gold Prize | Gold Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value-for-money warm sake category | 237 | 12 (5%) | 62 (26.2%) |
| Value-for-money hot sake category | 224 | 11 (5%) | 62 (27.7%) |
| Premium warm sake category | 242 | 13 (5.4%) | 58 (24%) |
| Premium hot sake category | 158 | 8 (5.1%) | 40 (25.3%) |
| Special warm sake category | 78 | 4 (5.1%) | 19 (24.4%) |
The Fine Sake Award, Japan
The Fine Sake Award Japan is a competition designed to highlight a new dimension of sake appreciation—enjoying it from wine glasses rather than traditional sake cups. By presenting sake in this way, the contest aims to appeal to younger generations and international audiences, while also promoting pairings with a wide range of cuisines beyond Japanese food.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Grand Gold Medal Gold Medal |
| Category | The Fine Sake Awards Japan (main category) Sparkling Sake Category Premium Daiginjo Category Premium Junmai Category Premium Aged Sake Category Premium Sparkling Sake Category |
| Judging criteria and method | With Riedel sake wine glasses, conduct a blind sensory evaluation on a 7-point scale. |
| Judges | Izakaya owners, distributors, etc. |
| Number of entries | 1038 items from 260 companies |
| First held | 2011 |
| Organizer | Kontatsu Co., Ltd. / Urakasumi Saura Co., Ltd. / Sakebunka Institute, Inc. / Tatsuma-Honke Brewing Co., Ltd. / Ninki Inc. / Ryutsu Joho Kikaku Co., Ltd. |
| Website | https://www.finesakeawards.jp/index_e.html |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Grand Gold | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fine Sake Awards Japan (main category) | 300 | 16 (5.3%) | 76 (25.3%) |
| Sparkling Sake Category | 44 | 2 (4.5%) | 12 (27.3%) |
| Premium Daiginjo Category | 326 | 17 (5.2%) | 86 (26.4%) |
| Premium Junmai Category | 273 | 15 (5.5%) | 68 (24.9%) |
| Premium Aged Sake Category | 56 | 3 (5.4%) | 15 (26.8%) |
| Premium Sparkling Sake Categor | 39 | 2 (5.1%) | 10 (25.6%) |
SAKE COMPETITION
This competition, organized by Hasegawa Sake Shop, one of Japan’s leading sake retailers, is dedicated to assessing commercially available sake. Unlike the Annual Japan Sake Awards, which focuses on brewing techniques, this contest evaluates sake from a consumer’s perspective, emphasizing overall drinkability and market appeal.
In addition to its main awards, the competition features special distinctions, such as the Diners Club Young Brewer Encouragement Award, which recognizes outstanding breweries where the toji (master brewer) is under 40 years old.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | GOLD The top 10 in the Junmai, Junmai Ginjo and Junmai Daiginjo categories are awarded, and the top 3 in the Super Premium category are awarded (the rankings are also published) SILVER The top 10% in each category are awarded Special awards Diners Club Young Brewer Encouragement Award Awarded to the top-ranking brewery with a toji (master brewer) aged 40 or under JAL Flying Sake Award Selected from among the three Junmai categories from the perspective of “despite its popularity, the amount of sake produced is limited, and we want people overseas to know about this rare sake that is also highly sought after in Japan” Sakenomy Best Brewery of the Year Selected from among the sake breweries that are popular and have a strong reputation, based on the average rating of their products on the sake app Sakenomy |
| Category | Junmai Junmai Ginjo Junmai Daiginjo Oversea Brewed Sake Super Premium: Sake that is not limited to tokutei meisho-shu (premium sake), with a retail price of 10,000 yen (excluding tax) or more for 720ml, or 15,000 yen (excluding tax) or more for 1800ml |
| Judging criteria and method | The preliminary and final rounds were held on two separate days, with the judging completely blind. Using a five-point scale (＊), the judges evaluate the harmony and characteristics of the aroma and flavor, as well as the dignity and drinking characteristics of the sake. ＊five-point scale: A method of comprehensively evaluating the harmony and characteristics of the flavor of sake, based on the elegance and drinking characteristics of the sake, on a scale of 1 (excellent), 2 (good), 3 (average), 4 (slightly flawed), and 5 (flawed). |
| Judges | Technical instructors and sake brewers selected by their recommendations, as well as experts and others from around the country. |
| Number of entries | 1000 |
| First held | 2012 |
| Organizer | Sunny Side Up Inc. and Hasegawa Sake Shop |
| Website | https://sakecompetition.com/english_sakecompetition.html |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | GOLD | SILVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junmai | 261 | 10 (3.7%) | 10 (3.8%) |
| Junmai Ginjo | 350 | 10 (2.9%) | 10 (2.9%) |
| Junmai Daiginjo | 334 | 10 (3.0%) | 10 (3.0%) |
| Super Premium | 55 | 3 (5.9%) | 3 (5.5%) |
| Oversea Brewed Sake | 19 | 1 (5.3%) | - |
Omachi Summit
The Omachi Summit is a sake competition held in Okayama Prefecture, the primary production region of Omachi, one of Japan’s most revered sake brewing rice varieties. The event aims to increase awareness and appreciation of Omachi rice and its unique characteristics in sake brewing.
In addition to the judging and award announcements, the competition also features a public tasting event on the same day, allowing attendees to experience the diverse expressions of Omachi sake firsthand.
For more details on Omachi rice, please refer to this article:
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo (including junmai ginjo) Junmai (polishing ratio of 60% or less) Junmai (polishing ratio of over 60%) |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | Public testing center staff, Sake Expert Assessor, etc |
| Number of entries | 221 items from 125 companies |
| First held | 2008 |
| Organizer | JA Zennoh Okayama, Okayama Prefecture Sake Brewing Rice Council, Okayama Prefecture Sake Brewers Association |
| Website | https://omachi.marumaru-okayama.jp/ |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 137 | 25 (18.2%) |
| Junmai (polishing ratio of 60% or less) | 44 | 10 (22.7%) |
| Junmai (polishing ratio of over 60%) | 39 | 6 (15.4%) |
Japan Women’s SAKE Award
Japan Women’s SAKE Award is the first in Japan to be judged entirely by women, founded on the philosophy of empowering women and fostering a more inclusive society.
One of its distinctive features is that, unlike traditional sake competitions, the categories are not based on specific product types but rather on taste profiles, offering a fresh and unique approach to evaluating sake.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Bishu (Beautiful Sake) of the Year: Award for the best sake of the year TOP OF THE BEST: Award for the sake with the highest score in each of the 6 categories Gold Award Silver Award Award for the top third of entries in each category Special Awards Sommelier Award Generation Z Award Flight Attendant Award Label Contest |
| Category | Fruity Light & Dry Rich & Umami Aged Sparkling Low alcohol (10% or less alcohol content) Label contest |
| Judging criteria and method | [Criteria common to all categories] Balance of color, flavor and aroma Elegance Essence of sake Pleasant aftertaste [Criteria for each category] Fruity: Can you smell a fruity aroma in the mouth? Light & Dry: Is it refreshing, dry and crisp? Rich & Umami: Can you taste umami? Aged: Color, aroma and flavor due to aging Sparkling: Fine bubbles Low-alcohol: Level of the alcohol sensation, appeal as an alcoholic beverage [Method] Blind tasting |
| Judges | Female holders of alcohol-related qualifications |
| Number of entries | 316 items from 142 companies |
| First held | 2023 |
| Organizer | General Incorporated Association: Women Who Love Sake and Wine of Japan |
| Website | https://bishucon.com/ |
International Sake Challenge
The International Sake Challenge is a competition co-chaired by Haruo Matsuzaki, president of SAKE Marketing House, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in the global expansion of Japanese sake.
Judged by a panel of domestic and international liquor experts, the results of this competition are widely disseminated to leading educational institutions, industry contests, and influential media outlets worldwide, enhancing sake’s recognition on the global stage.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Trophy: Awarded to the best sake in each category Gold Silver Bronze |
| Category | Aged Daiginjo/Ginjo Junmai Daiginjo Junmai Ginjo Junmai Premium Sparkling |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | Domestic and international liquor experts and journalists |
| Number of entries | N/A |
| First held | 2007 |
| Organizer | International Sake Challenge |
| Website | https://www.sakechallenge.com/ |
Sake Award (Sakaya Taisho/Sake Shop Grand Prix)
Much like Japan’s Honya Taisho (Bookstore Award), where bookstore staff select their top recommendations, The Sake Award is a competition in which liquor store professionals choose the sake breweries they most want to recommend to consumers at the moment.
What sets this competition apart is its unique judging criteria and methods, which go beyond taste to consider elements such as label design and brewery concept, offering a fresh perspective on sake selection.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Awards are given to individual breweries, with one brewery receiving each award. GOLD SILVER BRONZE |
| Category | No category |
| Judging criteria and method | Criteria: Do you like it? Would you recommend it to other drinkers? Does it express the concept of the brewery and the sake visually, in terms of taste and smell? Does it have a concept that will attract new drinkers? Can you sense the individuality of the sake? Is it well-balanced (in terms of aroma and taste)? Does it have a quality that will attract new drinkers? Methods: Preliminary round Invite votes for the product names we would like to recommend on the website, and select the top 20 breweries to advance to the final round Final round: sake tasting vote Evaluate the taste and concept of each brewery by tasting three bottles of sake from each brewery without hiding the product name, etc. |
| Judges | Liquor store staffs |
| First held | 2023 |
| Organizer | Sake Award Executive Committee |
| Website | https://sakeaward.com/ |
Tasting competitions held in each regional tax bureau
In addition to nationwide sake competitions, annual tasting competitions are held at each of the National Tax Agency’s regional offices, attracting participation from many sake breweries across Japan.
There are 11 regional offices that host these competitions: Sapporo, Sendai, Kanto-Shinetsu, Tokyo, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto. While Okinawa also has a National Tax Agency office, it does not host a sake tasting competition.
Like the Annual Japan Sake Awards, these regional competitions aim to enhance sake quality by evaluating brewing techniques, providing breweries with valuable feedback to refine their craft. The sake submitted must have been brewed in the previous brewing year and must fall under the jurisdiction of the respective National Tax Agency regional office.
Additionally, in the Kanto-Shinetsu, Hiroshima, and Takamatsu National Tax Agency competitions, each brewery is limited to one entry per category, ensuring a highly competitive selection process.
Sapporo
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Gold |
| Category | Ginjo made from Hokkaido rice Ginjo Junmai Lightly polished sake with a full flavor |
| Judging criteria and method | Evaluate at room temperature (approx. 20°C) using a Janome sake cup, based on factors such as the intensity of the flavor, the sweetness or dryness, and the presence or absence of a distinctive aroma |
| Judges | Those with knowledge of sake production and sensory evaluation skills, such as employees of the National Research Institute of Brewing, executives and employees of sake brewing technology guidance organizations, and those in charge of sake production at sake breweries. |
| Number of entries | 103 items from 16 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/sapporo/release/r5/kanpyokai/index.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Ginjo made from Hokkaido rice | 47 | 15 (31.9%) |
| Ginjo | 15 | 2 (13.3%) |
| Junmai | 34 | 10 (29.4%) |
| Lightly polished sake with a full flavor | 7 | 2 (28.6%) |
Tohoku
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Grand Honor Prize: Awarded to the top brewery Special Honor Prize: Awarded to the next two breweries after the top brewery Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo Junmai |
| Judging criteria and method | Preliminary judging: evaluation of the individual characteristics of the sake entries using the profile method and overall evaluation using a 5-point scoring system Final judging: overall evaluation using a 3-point scoring system. Note: the profile method is a method for individually and in detail evaluating the characteristics and faults of sake, such as its sweetness or dryness, depth, and aroma, including ginjo-ka. |
| Judges | Sake brewers, public research institute staff, etc. |
| Number of entries | 274 items from 122 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/sendai/release/r06/kampyokai.pdf |
（※）プロファイル法：日本酒の甘辛や濃淡、吟醸香など香味の特徴や欠点を、個別かつ詳細に評価する方法
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Grand Honor Prize | Special Honor Prize | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 136 | 1 (0.7%) | 2 (1.5%) | 52 (38.2%) |
| Junmai | 138 | 1 (0.7%) | 2 (1.4%) | 46 (33.3%) |
Kanto-Shinetsu
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Grand Honor Prize: Awarded to the top brewery Special Honor Prize: Awarded to the next two breweries after the top brewery Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo Junmai Ginjo Junmai |
| Judging criteria and method | After classifying by acidity, judges taste the sake in plastic cups and give a comprehensive evaluation and a profile method evaluation (the second trial is only a comprehensive evaluation). |
| Judges | Employees of public research and testing organizations and national tax bureau |
| Number of entries | 369 items from 174 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/kantoshinetsu/sake/kanpyokai/index.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Grand Honor Prize | Special Honor Prize | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 131 | 1 (0.7%) | 2 (1.5%) | 47 (35.9%) |
| Junmai Ginjo | 147 | 1 (0.7%) | 2 (1.4%) | 46 (31.3%) |
| Junmai | 91 | 1 (1.1%) | 2 (2.2%) | 29 (31.9%) |
Tokyo
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo Junmai Ginjo Hot Sake Hot Sake (Junmai) |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | Sake brewers and National Tax Agency employees |
| Number of entries | 106 items from 36 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/tokyo/sake/kanpyo/00.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 26 | 10 (38.5%) |
| Junmai Ginjo | 30 | 12 (40%) |
| Hot Sake | 21 | 8 (38.1%) |
| Hot Sake (Junmai) | 39 | 11 (28.2%) |
Kanazawa
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo sake made from Kanazawa Yeast Ginjo |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | N/A |
| Number of entries | 162 items from 61 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/kanazawa/sake/jizake/r5/kanpyo.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Ginjo sake made from Kanazawa Yeast | 66 | 10 (15.2%) |
| Ginjo | 96 | 13 (13.5%) |
Nagoya
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Grand Honor Prize Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo Junmai Ginjo Hot Sake |
| Judging criteria and method | [Ginjo & Junmai Ginjo] Evaluation at 18-20℃, divided into those using traditional yeast (*) and those using other yeasts. [Hot Sake] Evaluation in the 45°C temperature Note: traditional yeast is high-quality yeast for sake brewing that was used for ginjo sake even before the development of the yeast that produces the current mainstream ginjo aroma at high levels. |
| Judges | Employees of public research and testing organizations, employees of the National Research Institute of Brewing, academic experts, employees of the Appraisal Office, etc. |
| Number of entries | 212 items from 68 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/nagoya/sake/kampyo/73/index.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Grand Honor Prize | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 46 | 1 (2.2%) | 17 (37%) |
| Junmai Ginjo | 60 | 1 (1.7%) | 18 (30%) |
| Hot Sake | 106 | 1 (0.9%) | 28 (26.4%) |
Osaka
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | ExcellentPrize |
| Category | Ginjo Sake for Hot Sake |
| Judging criteria and method | Preliminary judging is based on a 5-point scale and a profile method |
| Final judging is based on a 3-point scale | |
| Judges | N/A |
| Number of entries | 145 items from 84 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/osaka/sake/r06kanpyo/index.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Excellent Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 74 | 27 (36.5%) |
| Sake for Hot Sake | 71 | 26 (36.6%) |
Hiroshima
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo (only genshu, undiluted sake) Junmai Hot Sake |
| Judging criteria and method | Criteria: Evaluation and consideration of the components and balance of aroma and flavor, as well as production technology factors, from a technical perspective, rather than personal preference Temperature: Ginjo and Junmai are evaluated at around 20°C, and Hot Sake at around 40°C |
| Judges | Those with sufficient experience and ability in quality evaluation, who have knowledge of sake production technology (those engaged in sake production or alcohol sales, prefectural public research institute researchers, National Research Institute of Brewing researchers, and members of the Appraisal Office, etc.) |
| Number of entries | 188 items from 72 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/hiroshima/release/r06/seishu/index.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 62 | 24 (38.7%) |
| Junmai | 66 | 24 (36.4%) |
| Hot Sake | 60 | 21 (35%) |
Shikoku
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Honor Prize |
| Category | Ginjo Chilled & Hot Sake |
| Judging criteria and method | Evaluate the harmony of flavors and other aspects in a blind tasting. The temperature of the sake at the time of evaluation is approximately 20°C for the ginjo category and approximately 45°C for the hot sake category. |
| Judges | Judges are experts in evaluating the quality of sake, including: Sake brewers Researchers of the National Research Institute of Brewing Researchers of prefectural brewing-related organizations Academics in the field of brewing Technical officers of the Takamatsu Regional Taxation Bureau Eleven judges participated in the preliminary evaluation and twelve judges conducted the final evaluation. |
| Number of entries | 67 items from 35 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/takamatsu/sake/kanpyo/r06/index-e.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 33 | 13 (39.4%) |
| Chilled & Hot Sake | 34 | 13 (38.2%) |
Fukuoka
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Grand Prize Gold Prize |
| Category | Ginjo Junmai (2 categories: warmed sake at approx. 43°C and room temperature at approx. 20°C) |
| Judging criteria and method | Ginjo: Whether the elegant or gorgeous aroma is appropriate for ginjo sake and whether it is in harmony with the taste Junmai: Whether the harmony of the aroma and flavor is excellent as junmai sake at each evaluation temperature |
| Judges | N/A |
| Number of entries | 170 items |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/fukuoka/sake/kanpyokai/R06/index_en.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Grand Prize | Gold Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginjo | 96 | 1 (1%) | 16 (16.7%) |
| Junmai | 74 | 1 (1.4%) | 15 (20.3%) |
Kumamoto
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Honor Prize |
| Category | Kumamoto Yeast Ginjo Other Yeast Ginjo Hot Sake (Not eligible for an award) |
| Judging criteria and method | Preliminary judging: Evaluation with the characteristics thought to be derived from the ingredients and fermentation/storage processes in mind Final judging: Evaluation of the superiority of aroma, taste and harmony Evaluation is carried out twice, in a preliminary judging session for all the sake entries and a final judging session for the sake with the highest scores in the preliminary judging session, both of which are blind tastings. |
| Judges | Expert judges were selected from a pool of panelists, including: Sake experts and manufacturers recommended by regional Sake and Shochu Makers Associations in South Kyushu Academics in the field of brewing Staff members of prefectural brewing-related organizations Technical officers of the Kumamoto Regional Taxation Bureau |
| Number of entries | 85 items from 19 breweries |
| Website | https://www.nta.go.jp/about/organization/kumamoto/sake/kanpyokai/index.htm |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Honor Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Kumamoto Yeast Ginjo | 60 | 9 (15%) |
| Other Yeast Ginjo | 25 | 4 (16%) |
| Hot Sake | 9 | Not eligible for an award |
Sake competitions held outside of Japan
Next, we will introduce nine sake competitions held overseas. Among them, the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, the International Wine Challenge (IWC), and SAKE Selection provide detailed results by category, allowing us to analyze both the number of award-winning entries and their respective award rates.
U.S. National Sake Appraisal
Established in 2001, the U.S. National Sake Appraisal is the longest-running sake competition held outside Japan. Guided by the mission “For the Sake of Sake,” it is dedicated to promoting sake and sake culture internationally through education and awareness.
A key feature of this competition is its connection to The Joy of Sake, a large-scale public tasting event held in major cities worldwide. At these events, all competition entries are showcased, offering sake enthusiasts the rare opportunity to taste a diverse selection of premium sakes and fostering greater appreciation for the craft on a global scale.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | [By category] Grand Prix: Highest score in each category Grand Prix Second/Third Place: Second and third place in each category Gold: Approximately 50% of the top-scoring entries advance to the second round, and the sake that scores highest in the second round is awarded the Gold Silver [Cross-category] Emerald Award: The brewer with the highest cumulative score (awarded only once) is selected by calculating the total points by quantifying the results of the gold and silver prize winners from the first competition. |
| Category | Daiginjo A (polishing ratio of 40% or less) Daiginjo B (polishing ratio of 50% or less) Ginjo Junmai A (polishing ratio of 60% or less) Junmai B (polishing ratio of over 60%) |
| Judging criteria and method | First tasting: The top 50% of the entries are selected for the second round after a careful examination of their faults Second Tasting: Compared to the first round, a comprehensive evaluation is carried out, and the top scoring entries are awarded a Gold, while the other entries are awarded a Silver [Method] Blind tasting in order of glucose concentration |
| Judges | Eleven participating judges, usually eight from Japan and three from the U.S., from the National Research Institute of Brewing, the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association, and the Brewing Society of Japan etc. |
| Number of entries | 587 items from 197 breweries |
| First held | 2001 |
| Organizer | U.S. National Sake Appraisal |
| Website | https://sakeappraisal.org/en/ |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Grand Prix | Grand Prix 2nd/3rd Place | Gold | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daiginjo A | 185 | 1 (0.5%) | 2 (1.1%) | 57 (30.8%) | 41(22.2%) |
| Daiginjo B | 113 | 1 (0.9%) | 2 (1.8%) | 29 (25.7%) | 25 (22.1%) |
| Ginjo | 151 | 1 (0.7%) | 2 (1.3%) | 42 (27.8%) | 40 (26.5%) |
| Junmai A | 85 | 1 (1.2%) | 2 (2.4%) | 21 (24.7%) | 19 (22.4%) |
| Junmai B | 53 | 1 (1.9%) | 2 (3.8%) | 12 (22.6%) | 13 (24.5%) |
International Wine Challenge Sake Division (IWC Sake)
Established in 1984, the International Wine Challenge (IWC) is one of the world’s most prestigious blind-tasting competitions for wine. The Sake Division was introduced in 2007 and has since become a highly influential and internationally recognized standard for sake evaluation.
With the largest number of entries among all sake competitions worldwide—including those held in Japan—the IWC Sake Division has gained the trust of both domestic and international markets. Its rigorous judging process and globally respected evaluation criteria have made it a key benchmark for sake quality on the international stage.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | [By category] Trophy: Awarded to the best sake in each category Regional Trophy: Awarded to several sakes of extremely high quality, although not quite up to the standard of a trophy Gold Silver Bronze Commended (recommended sake by the competition): Sake that did not quite make it to the medal standard, but still met a certain level of quality and was recognized by the IWC as being worthy of recommendation [Cross-category] Champion Sake: The highest award, selected from among the national trophy winners in each category Great Value Champion Sake: Awarded to the best of the gold and silver medal winners that cost 1,200 yen or less for 720ml and have a production volume of 100,000 bottles or more Great Value Award: Awarded to products that boast excellent cost performance, although they do not reach the level of the Great Value Champion Sake Brewery of the Year: The brewery with the highest total points calculated from the medals and trophies is selected (the breweries that are shortlisted are also announced) Prefecture of the Year: Given to the prefecture in which the multiple breweries that have entered achieve excellent overall results. |
| Category | Junmai Junmai Ginjo Junmai Daiginjo Honjozo Ginjo Daiginjo Futsu-shu Amber Style Aged Style Sparkling |
| Judging criteria and method | 1. Round 1: Evaluated on the basis of three criteria: Out (excluded), Commended (recommended), and advancement to Round 2 Round 2: Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded. Sake that was judged as “Out” or “Commended” is re-judged to verify the evaluation Trophy Tasting: Judging for the trophy award is carried out for sake that has won the gold medal. At the same time, the Great Value Award is selected from the gold and silver medal winners Final judging by the IWC co-chairs: Selection of the Champion Sake from among the sake that has won the National Trophy |
| Judges | A diverse panel of judges from over a dozen countries around the world, led by a Master of Wine, gather each year to judge the competition. |
| Number of entries | 1,504items |
| First held | 2007 |
| Organizer | William Reed |
| Website | https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/about-the-sake-competition.html# |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2024 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Trophy | Regional Trophy | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Commended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junmai | 280 | 1 (0.4%) | 1 (0.4%) | 10 (3.6%) | 49 (17.5%) | 80 (28.6%) | 100 (35.7%) |
| Junmai Ginjo | 319 | 1 (0.3%) | 2 (0.6%) | 11 (3.4%) | 58 (18.2%) | 75 (23.5%) | 134 (42%) |
| Junmai Daiginjo | 454 | 1 (0.2%) | 3 (0.7%) | 31 (6.8%) | 98 (21.6%) | 110 (24.2%) | 186 (41%) |
| Honjozo | 40 | 1 (2.5%) | 1 (2.5%) | 3 (7.5%) | 10 (25%) | 12 (30%) | 8 (20%) |
| Ginjo | 30 | 1 (3.3%) | 0 | 3 (10%) | 3 (10%) | 7 (23.3%) | 12 (40%) |
| Daiginjo | 152 | 1 (0.7%) | 2 (1.3%) | 11 (7.2%) | 34 (22.4%) | 45 (29.6%) | 50 (32.9%) |
| Futsu-shu | 56 | 1 (1.8%) | 1 (1.8%) | 2 (3.6%) | 12 (21.4%) | 16 (28.6%) | 20 (35.7%) |
| Amber Style | 50 | 1 (2%) | 2 (4%) | 10 (20%) | 11 (22%) | 12 (24%) | 14 (28%) |
| Aged Style | 38 | 1 (2.6%) | 2 (5.3%) | 8 (21.1%) | 12 (31.6%) | 11 (28.9%) | 5 (13.2%) |
| Sparkling | 85 | 1 (1.2%) | 1 (1.2%) | 4 (4.7%) | 14 (16.5%) | 22 (25.9%) | 31 (36.5%) |
SAKE Selection
Launched in 2018 as the sake division of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB)—one of the world’s largest and most prestigious wine competitions—SAKE Selection provides a globally recognized platform for evaluating Japanese sake.
Award-winning sakes benefit from promotional opportunities aimed at increasing their visibility in international markets, particularly in Europe.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Trophée (Trophy) Médailles de Platine (Platinum) Médailles d'Or (Gold) Médailles d'Argent (Silver) |
| Category | Junmai Daiginjo Junmai Ginjo Junmai (including Tokubetsu Junmai) Ginjo (including Daiginjo) Honjozo (including Tokubetsu Honjozo) Sparkling Aged Sake |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | International distribution professionals, brewing scholars and engineers, journalists, wine critics, etc. |
| Number of entries | 617 items from 277 breweries |
| First held | 2018 |
| Organizer | Vinopres |
| Website | https://sakeselection.com/ |
The number of entries, awards and award rates for the 2018 event are as follows:
| Category | Entries | Trophée | Médailles de Platine | Médailles d'Or | Médailles d'Argent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junmai Daiginjo | 177 | 1(0.6%) | 12 (6.8%) | 15 (8.5%) | 12 (6.8%) |
| Junmai Ginjo | 132 | 1(0.8%) | 9 (6.8%) | 19 (14.4%) | 7 (5.3%) |
| Junmai | 134 | 1(0.7%) | 7 (5.2%) | 12 (9.0%) | 14 (10.4%) |
| Ginjo | 81 | 1(1.2%) | 4 (4.9%) | 10 (12.3%) | 8 (9.9%) |
| Honjozo | 31 | 1(3.2%) | 2 (6.5%) | 3 (9.7%) | 2 (6.5%) |
| Sparkling | 30 | 1(3.3%) | 1 (3.3%) | 5 (16.7%) | 3 (10.0%) |
| Aged Sake | 32 | 1(3.1%) | 3 (9.4%) | 3 (9.4%) | 4 (12.5%) |
Kura Master
Kura Master is a sake competition held in France, specifically designed for the French market. Since 2021, it has also included categories for honkaku shochu and awamori.
One of its defining features is its panel of judges, composed primarily of French professionals from the alcohol and gastronomy industries. The evaluation criteria are tailored to the French palate, distinguishing it from other international sake competitions.
Emphasizing the historical French culinary tradition of food and beverage pairing, Kura Master provides opportunities for judges to experience sake alongside food, highlighting its versatility in gastronomy.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | [By Category] Prix du Président Prix Alliance Gastronomie [Cross-Category] Prix du Jury Kura Master Médailles de Platine (Platinum) Médailles d'Or (Gold) |
| Category | Junmai: Rice polishing ratio of 51% or more Junmai Daiginjo: Rice polishing ratio of 50% or less Sparkling Sake: Sake with an alcohol content of 10% or more, made from rice, rice malt and water only, with a gas pressure of 3.0 bar or more at 20°C Classic Moto: Brewed using the Bodaimoto, Mizumoto, Namamoto, or Yamahai methods Aged Sake: Sake that is at least 3 years old, or long-aged sake, that has been stored at a temperature of at least 10℃ (room temperature) for at least half of its aging perio |
| Judging criteria and method | Judging criteria for French people and the French market. Prizes are awarded based on the French government's regulations, which state that 33% of all entries can win a prize. First round of judging: In addition to deciding the Gold and Platinum awards, 10 Junmai and Junmai Daiginjo sake and 5 other sake from among the Platinum award winners are selected as “sake that have advanced to the final round”. Second round of judging: From among the sake that have advanced to the final round, 5 Junmai and Junmai Daiginjo sake and 2 other sake are selected as “top 16” and the sake that win the judges' awards are decided from among them. [Method] A blind tasting is conducted using the same method as at wine competitions, and the wines are evaluated on a 100-point scale at room temperature (around 15 degrees C, around 9 degrees C for sparkling wine). |
| Judges | Top sommeliers, bartenders, and carvers from Europe, with a focus on French people, and other professionals in the food and beverage industry |
| Number of entries | 1,223 items |
| First held | 2017 |
| Organizer | Association de Kura Master |
| Website | https://kuramaster.com/ |
SAKE-China
Sake-China is a sake competition dedicated to introducing the appeal of Japanese sake to consumers across China and helping them discover varieties that suit their preferences.
A key feature of this competition is that the judging panel consists exclusively of Chinese experts, ensuring that evaluations reflect local tastes and market trends.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | [By category] Platinum Award Gold Award [Cross-category] Golden Dragon Award (Highest Gold Award): Awarded to the entry sake that has received the highest score among the entries that have received the highest evaluation in each category Special Jury Prize: Awarded to the sake brewery that has received the highest total number of points for its entries ANA Award: Awarded to the entry sake that has received the Gold Award or Platinum Award for three consecutive years for the same product |
| Category | Daiginjo Junmai Daiginjo Ginjo / Junmai Ginjo Junmai Honjozo / Futsushu |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | Composed of only local people |
| Number of entries | 80 items from 28 breweries |
| First held | 2018 |
| Organizer | Japan Rice and Rice Industry Export Promotion Association, Japan Association for the Promotion of Japanese Cuisine |
| Website | http://www.sake-china.com/index.html |
Oriental Sake Awards
First held in 2022 in Hong Kong, the Oriental Sake Awards is one of the largest sake competitions in Asia. Its mission is to identify sakes that resonate with Asian consumers, serving as a purchasing guide while also providing breweries with valuable data to support market expansion in the region.
A distinguishing feature of this competition is its classification system. Unlike most sake contests, which categorize entries based solely on tokutei meisho (special designation sake categories), the Oriental Sake Awards further divides them by flavor profile, such as tanrei (light and crisp) and hojun (rich and aromatic). This approach provides a more consumer-friendly framework for understanding sake preferences in Asia.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Sake of the Year: Selected from among the champions in each category Division Champion: Champion in each category Gold / Silver / Bronze Medal: The number of award-winning sake is limited to 40% or less of the total number of entries |
| Category | Junmai Daiginjo / Junmai Ginjo (Light & Clean) Junmai Daiginjo / Junmai Ginjo (Aromatic & Rich) Daiginjo / Ginjo (Light & Clean) Daiginjo / Ginjo (Aromatic & Rich) Honjozo Junmai-shu (Rich & Umami) Junmai-shu (Light & Clean) Sparkling sake Namazake |
| Judging criteria and method | [By category] Junmai Daiginjo / Junmai Ginjo (Light & Clean): For a light and clean style, Purity, Elegance and a Clean Finish are key attributes. Junmai Daiginjo / Junmai Ginjo (Aromatic & Rich): For an aromatic and rich style, Expressiveness, Complexity and Mouthfeel are key attributes. Daiginjo / Ginjo (Light & Clean): For a light and clean style, Purity, Elegance and a Clean Finish are key attributes. Daiginjo / Ginjo (Aromatic & Rich): For an aromatic and rich style, Expressiveness, Complexity and Mouthfeel are key attributes. Honjozo: For Honjozo, Purity, Simplicity and a Clean Finish are key attributes. Junmai-shu (Rich & Umami): For a rich and umami-led style, Mouthfeel, Expressiveness and Umami are key attributes. Junmai-shu (Light & Clean): For Junmai-shu in light and clean style, Umami Expressiveness, Mouthfeel and a Clean Finish are key attributes. Sparkling sake: For Sparkling Sake, Effervescence, Mouthfeel and Layers are key attributes. Namazake: For Namazake, Freshness and Expressiveness are key attributes. |
| Judges | Composed of 15 to 20 people, including Sake Samurai Micky Chan and other experts from various Asian countries, as well as professionals with qualifications in various types of sake. |
| Number of entries | 356 items from 147 breweries |
| First held | 2022 |
| Organizer | Federation of Japanese Sake Industry of Hong Kong |
| Website | https://www.orientalsakeawards.com/en/the-1st-oriental-sake-awards-osa/ |
CINVE
Established in 2007, CINVE is a Spanish government-certified competition that evaluates alcoholic beverages, olive oils, and other specialty products. In response to the growing recognition of Japanese cuisine and sake in Spain, a dedicated sake category was introduced in 2019.
By participating in CINVE, breweries have the opportunity to expand not only within Spain but also into broader European and Latin American markets.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Gran CINVE (Grand CINVE) Gran Oro (Grand Gold) Oro (Gold) Plata (Silver) |
| Category | Sake Aged Sake |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | Experts in the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage and food industries in Spain, Europe, Latin America and Asia |
| Number of entries | N/A |
| First held | 2007 (Sake category from 2019) |
| Organizer | InsocFerial |
| Website | https://cinve-japan.com/ |
Australian Sake Awards
The Australian Sake Awards is an international sake competition held in Sydney, Australia. With a judging panel primarily composed of Australians, the competition aims to identify sakes that align with local market preferences while also fostering the growth of sake professionals within the Australian industry.
By providing a platform for both evaluation and education, the Australian Sake Awards plays a crucial role in expanding sake awareness and distribution in Australia, a market where Japanese cuisine and culture continue to gain popularity.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | [By category] Platinum Award: Awarded to the top-ranking sake Gold Award: Awarded to the top 20% of sake Sessionable: Top 10% of all entries [Food Matching] Food Matching Special Prize: 1st place in each category Recommended Food Matching Prize: Top 20% of all entries in each category |
| Category | [By category] Fruity／Floral Elegant／Clean Savoury／Full bodied Mature／Complex Sparkling [Food Matching] Cooked prawns Charcuterie board: cheddar, brie, salami, olives, crackers Pizza margherita BBQ aussie beef steak with salt and pepper Grilled salmon butter and lemon |
| Judging criteria and method | Blind tasting with a 10-point scoring system |
| Judges | 50 to 80 Australian people involved in sake and wine who have attended two lectures held by the association in advance |
| Number of entries | 161 items |
| First held | 2022 |
| Organizer | Australian Sake Awards Association |
| Website | https://www.instagram.com/australiansakeawards |
Sake Challenge
The Sake Challenge is an international competition dedicated to expanding the global presence of Japanese sake. Held in six different locations—London, Milan, Bordeaux, Luxembourg, Singapore, and Tokyo—it aims to dispel the notion that sake is only suited to Japanese cuisine and palates.
A key focus of the competition is its regional approach, which provides sommeliers and brewers with opportunities to explore sake pairings with diverse culinary traditions. Unlike many other sake competitions, the Sake Challenge also evaluates label design, recognizing the importance of visual appeal in international markets.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Platinum Double Gold (Milan only) Gold Silver Bronze |
| Category | No category |
| Judging criteria and method | [Judging criteria] Clarity, appearance, type, and gloss of the product Fragrance and aroma Flavor and taste Coordination of the time it stays in the nose and mouth Sophistication of the label and packaging [Method] Evaluated on a scale of 0 to 10 stars according to the following criteria 0 stars (does not meet competition criteria) 1 to 2 stars (not bad) 3 to 4 stars (good) 5-6 stars (very good) 7-8 stars (excellent) 9-10 stars (outstanding) |
| Judges | Centered around the sake sommelier of the host venue |
| First held | 2012 (London) |
| Organizer | Sake Sommelier Association |
| Website | https://sakechallenges.com/ |
Monaco Sake Award
The Monaco Sake Award is a sake competition held in the Principality of Monaco, a destination where celebrities from around the world gather. This contest is designed to select sakes that can be enjoyed by a global audience while fostering cultural exchange between Monaco and Japan.
A highlight of the 2023 judging panel was the participation of Prince Albert II, the head of state, further underscoring the competition’s prestige and international appeal.
| Items | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of awards | Grand Prix Mariage Award Gold |
| Category | Junmai Daiginjo, Daiginjo Junmai Ginjo, Ginjo Junmai, Honjozo Futsu-shu |
| Judging criteria and method | N/A |
| Judges | Monaco's Prince, the court chef, sommeliers at top hotels and restaurants, and other experts living in Monaco |
| First held | 2021 |
| Organizer | Association Monaco Friends of Japan |
| Website | https://monacosake.com/ |
Summary
When you see a label that says something like "Gold Award Winner at the XX Contest!" or check the award history of your favorite sake brewery, understanding what kind of contest it was and what the award signifies could make choosing sake even more enjoyable.
Additionally, the increasing number of sake competitions held not only in Japan but also overseas reflects the growing global attention toward sake. Information about these competitions may serve as an indicator of sake’s expanding presence. By tracking the number of competitions and changes in the award-winning sakes, we may gain a new perspective on the current state of sake.
Reference
- Official websites of each competition (Links provided in the tables)
- SAKETIMES (Last accessed: March 10, 2025)
- Sake Samurai Official Website (Last accessed: March 10, 2025)
- National Research Institute of Brewing, 「清酒の官能評価技術の改良」[Improvement of Sensory Evaluation Techniques for Sake]
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