Taiwan Becomes First Overseas Market for Fukuoka Sake — 9 Breweries Cross the Sea, Launching 3-Year Expansion Plan

Fukuoka Prefecture held its first sake promotion trade fair in Taiwan under the theme of 'Fukuoka Sake,' bringing together nine representative breweries: Yamaguchi Sake Brewery, Takahashi Shoten, Mori no Kura, Wakanami Sake Brewery, Ohsato Sake Brewery, Wakatakeya Sake Brewery, Ishigura Sake Brewery, Kikubinjin Sake Brewery, and Taka Masamune. Through product introductions, expert lectures, and industry business meetings, they directly engaged with Taiwan's food service, retail, and alcohol distribution professionals, aiming to create more agency, restaurant integration, and sales collaboration opportunities for Fukuoka-produced sake.

First 'Fukuoka Sake' Launch in Taiwan — 3-Year Plan Targets the Taiwanese Market

Riko Ohkage, Deputy Section Chief of the Export Promotion Division, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department, Fukuoka Prefecture, stated that this is the first time Fukuoka has held a promotional event in Taiwan centered on its locally produced sake, marking the first year of a three-year overseas promotion plan. Prior to the event, Fukuoka surveyed local breweries on which overseas market they most wanted to expand into, and Taiwan received the most support, making it a key target region.

Ohkage emphasized that Taiwan is the overseas market most anticipated by Fukuoka's sake producers, and the goal is to enhance the recognition and distribution opportunities of Fukuoka sake in Taiwan through this three-year promotional initiative. (Photo: provided by organizers)

Ohkage noted that Fukuoka produces a diverse range of alcoholic beverages, including sake, shochu, and liqueurs, nurtured by abundant natural resources and a rich food culture, resulting in many distinctively styled brands. This trade fair was specially designed to allow local breweries to directly introduce their products’ characteristics, brewing philosophies, and brand cultures to Taiwanese industry professionals, hoping that face-to-face exchanges will lead to concrete business collaborations.

Fukuoka officials explained that Taiwan currently ranks 3rd to 4th among export markets for Fukuoka sake, following the United States and China, with existing exports already at a significant scale. As Taiwanese consumers’ understanding of Japanese food culture and regional specialty sake grows, there remains room for further market expansion.

'GI Fukuoka' Strengthens Origin Recognition — Centuries-Old Breweries Showcase Artisan Craftsmanship

Takuya Nakagawa, Vice President of the Fukuoka Sake Brewers Association, stated that Fukuoka is a sake-producing region supported by its natural environment and rich culinary culture, with each local sake embodying the long-accumulated techniques, experience, and craftsmanship of its brewery. He emphasized the significance of directly introducing and allowing Taiwanese professionals and guests to taste Fukuoka sake.

Takuya Nakagawa, Vice President of the Fukuoka Sake Brewers Association and Representative Director of Takahashi Shoten, expressed hope that through this sake promotion event, Taiwanese industry players will gain a deeper understanding of Fukuoka sake’s brewing techniques and flavor profiles, further deepening industrial and cultural exchanges between the two regions. (Photo: provided by organizers)

Nakagawa pointed out that Fukuoka-produced sake was officially designated as a Geographical Indication (GI) 'GI Fukuoka' on October 1 of last year. The GI system certifies that products originate from a specific region and are produced according to defined standards and quality criteria, reflecting local natural conditions, brewing traditions, and regional characteristics. Among the products showcased at this trade fair are those certified under 'GI Fukuoka'.

The exhibitors include several breweries with long histories. Takahashi Shoten, established in 1717, centers on its flagship brand 'Shigemaru,' preserving traditional handcrafted brewing techniques while continuously developing products that meet modern market demands. Mori no Kura, founded in 1898, emphasizes local ingredients, natural groundwater, and a pure, natural brewing philosophy.

Wakanami Sake Brewery draws its brand image from the waves of the Chikugo River, pursuing sake with layered complexity that unfolds like advancing waves and leaves a lingering finish like a receding tide. Ohsato Sake Brewery, established in 1835, features its flagship brand 'Kuroda Bushi,' blending Fukuoka’s terroir with local historical and cultural elements. Yamaguchi Sake Brewery and Ishigura Sake Brewery also showcase the regional character of Fukuoka sake through traditional techniques, ingredient selection, and brewing environments.

Nine Breweries Cross the Sea — Showcasing Diverse Styles from Sake to Shochu

Wakatakeya Sake Brewery, established in 1699, is one of Fukuoka’s historically significant breweries. Guided by the philosophy that 'business is not simply inherited from ancestors but borrowed from descendants,' it aims to preserve the natural environment and traditional techniques while passing on excellent brewing culture to the next 300 years.

Kikubinjin Sake Brewery, founded in 1735, insists on meticulous manual processes and uses traditional pressing methods such as 'fukurojizake' (bag pressing) and 'shiborizake' (tank pressing) to express the inherent umami and soft complexity of rice in a clear, pure sake. Taka Masamune produces a wide range of products including sake, shochu, and liqueurs. In addition to its own brands, it offers OEM manufacturing and brand development collaborations to meet diverse market and distribution needs.

Ohkage stated that these nine breweries are representative enterprises that Fukuoka confidently recommends, and she hopes Taiwanese participants will take the opportunity to personally experience each brewery’s dedication to flavor, brewing techniques, and cultural depth, establishing long-term cooperative relationships through in-depth discussions.

'Sake Samurai' Michael Ou Gives Lecture — Cross-Cultural Pairing of Japanese and Taiwanese Cuisine with Fukuoka Sake

Another highlight of the event was inviting 'Sake Samurai' Michael Ou (Ou Zihao) as a special lecturer for a Japanese sake seminar. As the chef of Hanabi Izakaya, Michael Ou has long been dedicated to Japanese sake research, education, and promotion. In 2020, he was awarded the title of 'Sake Samurai' by the Japan Sake Brewers Association, becoming one of the first Taiwanese to receive this honor.

'Sake Samurai' Michael Ou served as the lecturer for the Japanese sake seminar, sharing the flavor characteristics of Fukuoka sake and applications for food pairing, guiding participants to deeply understand Japanese sake culture. (Photo: provided by organizers)

Michael Ou has visited approximately 150 breweries, deeply understanding Japan’s regional terroir, brewing techniques, and food culture, and is regarded as a leading figure in Taiwan for deep appreciation of Japanese sake. As a sake researcher and educator, he continues to convey the charm of Japanese sake to Taiwan and the world, playing a key role in promoting the internationalization of sake culture.

In addition to introducing the flavor profiles of Fukuoka sake, the seminar featured four types of Fukuoka cuisine paired with four types of Taiwanese dishes, demonstrating cross-cultural food and sake pairings. This allowed industry professionals to understand the flavor dynamics between different sake and dishes and the practical applications of Fukuoka sake in restaurant menus, beverage pairing design, and distribution sales.

Nakagawa also announced that the Fukuoka International Center will host a large-scale food and drink event, '&SAKE FUKUOKA 2026,' on September 26 and 27, bringing together Fukuoka sake and local cuisine, and inviting Taiwanese people to visit Fukuoka to experience its sake culture and culinary charm firsthand.

Fukuoka Prefecture hopes to use this trade fair as the starting point of its three-year promotion plan, gradually increasing the visibility of Fukuoka sake in the Taiwanese market, facilitating agency, restaurant, retail, and brand collaborations, and making sake a key medium connecting tourism, food culture, and exchanges between Taiwan and Fukuoka.

*Excessive drinking is harmful to health; drunk driving is prohibited; alcohol consumption is prohibited for those under 18.