Awamori Pairing That Captivated Cannes for Two Consecutive Years Reproduced! "Cannes Night in Okinawa" a Great Success! Next Event in Tokyo on July 18-19.

Kamimura Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture / President: Hiroshi Nakazato) achieved the remarkable feat of being the official Awamori provider at the Cannes Film Festival official ceremony "CANNES GALA" for the second consecutive year, held on May 17, 2026.

To promptly report this global challenge and achievement to Awamori fans in our home prefecture of Okinawa, we held "Cannes Night in Okinawa" on June 26 (Fri.) at Hotel Collective (Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture).

Despite concerns about the event being jeopardized by a typhoon, many Awamori fans gathered, and the dishes served at Cannes were recreated. Guests enjoyed an innovative Awamori pairing, filling the venue with excitement, emotion, and smiles.

Furthermore, to allow everyone in the Tokyo metropolitan area to experience this excitement and the new possibilities of Awamori, we will be holding "Cannes Night in Tokyo" on July 18 (Sat.) and 19 (Sun.), 2026.

Danryu BLESS 46% ABV 2026 CANNES GALA Shurei YUI 45% ABV

Selected for the second consecutive year! Awamori from Kamimura Shuzo recognized by the world.

"Awamori," registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage for its traditional brewing methods.

Kamimura Shuzo's challenge, with a history of 600 years as Japan's oldest distilled spirit, longer than the 131-year history of film, bore fruit again this year in Cannes.

Building on the great success of last year's pairing of "Danryu BLESS and Danryu CRAFT" with the dessert Raspberry Tart, which led to numerous requests to "purchase it," this year saw further evolution. "Shurei 30% ABV," commonly enjoyed with seafood dishes as a mealtime beverage, and "Shurei YUI 45% ABV," specially created for the 2026 Cannes, were selected as exquisite pairings for after-dinner sweets, captivating ceremony attendees once again and bringing excitement to Awamori on the Cannes stage.

Report: "Cannes Night in Okinawa" Held with Enthusiasm That Blew Away the Typhoon

"Cannes Night in Okinawa" kicked off on June 26 with lively MCing by Mr. Daishi Iha, a bullfighting announcer from Uruma City. Guests were welcomed with the "Shuremon / Shurei Lemon Sour" welcome drink and the non-alcoholic citric acid cocktail "Umekaoru Soda." President Hiroshi Nakazato reported on the aspirations behind Kamimura Shuzo's challenge at Cannes. We received warm words from many distinguished guests, including Mr. Yoshinori Kyan, Chairman of the Okinawa Prefectural Wholesale Liquor Retailers Association; Mr. Mitsuru Ishikawa, Director of Miho Soakinai Kumiai; Ms. Chieko Asakura, President of ASAKURA Global Academy Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Masanori Nakane, Okinawa Branch Manager of Japan Airlines, who provided significant support in delivering 30 bottles of Awamori and 150 sets of sake cups to Cannes, France.

Scenes from Cannes Night in Okinawa Mr. Yoshinori Kyan Mr. Mitsuru Ishikawa

Ms. Chieko Asakura Mr. Masanori Nakane Mr. Daishi Iha

Reproduced Pairing Menu That Captivated the World

Mr. Kiyonori Taira, Executive Chef at Hotel Collective, recreated the Cannes course. Ms. Yoko Nakazato, manager of Kamimura Shuzo's aged sake cellar, and Mr. Yohei Tokuchi, factory manager, proposed drinking methods to match the dishes.

Semi-Ebi Tail with Light Smoke Scent and Yuzu Cream × "Shurei 30% ABV"

White Fish with Clam Sauce × "Shurei 30% ABV"

Lamb Navarin Style Stewed in Red Wine with Cassis Flavor × "Danryu CRAFT"

Gateau Chocolat Classic × "Shurei YUI Yui 45% ABV"

Strawberry and White Chocolate Cake × "Danryu BLESS"

Guests highly praised the event, stating they "enjoyed the deliciousness of Awamori and the food" through the served dishes. Particularly with the dessert pairings, many expressed their surprise and delight, saying, "I never imagined Awamori and sweets would go so well together. It was a surprising experience!"

This delicious and happy space and time naturally fostered conversation among guests seated at the same table, creating lively communication throughout the venue.

As the charm of Awamori connected everyone in the venue with a warm sense of unity, it was a night where all participants truly felt that "Awamori has the power to connect people."

Chef Kiyonori Taira Pairing Dishes 5 dishes Semi-Ebi Tail with Light Smoke Scent and Yuzu Cream White Fish with Clam Sauce

Lamb Navarin Style Stewed in Red Wine with Cassis Flavor Gateau Chocolat Classic Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse Cake Danryu & Shurei

Limited Edition Aged Sake "Shurei YUI 45% ABV" Specially Crafted

This is a special limited edition of 700 bottles of aged sake, specially crafted in response to its selection for Cannes this year.

Based on precious 22-year and 21-year aged sakes carefully nurtured by the previous generation, it is a luxurious blend of Awamori that has been continuously brewed annually since the 2012 Thanksgiving with the wish of "YUI (connection)" alongside a total of 936 guests.

The noble sweetness, reminiscent of Japanese brown sugar, born from long-term aging, and the profound aroma, like cacao, that blends with the traditional aged sake, create a perfect marriage with Gateau Chocolat.

Outline of "Cannes Night in Tokyo" to be Held on July 18 & 19

We will bring this highly successful event from Okinawa to Akasaka, Tokyo.

We will offer a luxurious tasting of both new and past Cannes-selected sakes, as well as exquisite souvenir bottles to enjoy the lingering taste at home.

【3 Highlights of the Event】

World-Class Pairing

Three dishes (two savory dishes and one dessert) actually served at the official Cannes ceremony will be partially recreated. Additionally, you can enjoy an exquisite mariage with two special menus prepared by the venue's chef.

All "Cannes Selected Awamori" Through the Years

You can enjoy a luxurious comparative tasting, from the 2026 selected "Shurei YUI Yui 45% ABV" and "Shurei 30% ABV" to the 2025 selected "Danryu BLESS 46% ABV" and "Danryu CRAFT 3-Year Aged Sake 40% ABV." Exquisite Souvenir Included

To allow you to enjoy the lingering taste at home, you will receive a set of two mini bottles of Cannes-selected Awamori: "Danryu CRAFT 3-Year Aged Sake 40% ABV (180ml) x 1" and "Shurei 30% ABV (180ml) x 1."

【Cannes Night in Tokyo】

Date & Time: Saturday, July 18, 2026, and Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors open 17:30 (Doors open 17:00).

Venue: TRANSAM Akasaka (Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo) *Reservation required / Seated style.

Capacity: 50 people per day.

Fee: 18,000 yen (tax included).

*Purchaser Benefit: Purchasers of "Shurei YUI Yui 45% ABV 720ml" (those who have already purchased or purchase with their ticket) can participate with a 3,000 yen discount (15,000 yen/tax included).

How to Apply: Please purchase your ticket from the URL below. https://www.koosugura.jp/SHOP/cannes2026.html

*Registration will close once capacity is reached. Please apply early.

*Cancellations for the Tokyo venue after July 10 will be non-refundable (100%).

Contact Information for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Kamimura Shuzo Co., Ltd.

570 Kadekaru, Ishikawa, Uruma City, Okinawa 904-1114

Official Website: https://kamimura-shuzo.co.jp/

Phone Number: 098-964-7628