On World Sake Day, 1 October, Nihonbashi will celebrate one of Japan’s most enduring culinary traditions with a special sake tasting experience, showcasing the restaurant’s selection of sakes paired with Japanese tapas and hosted by Sommelier Shiyani Saranapala.
The experience offers guests an opportunity to explore the diversity of sake through Nihonbashi’s menu, while discovering the craftsmanship, traditions, and stories behind the different expressions. It also marks more than a year since Nihonbashi introduced Dassai to Sri Lanka, becoming the first restaurant in the country to serve the celebrated Japanese sake.
Celebrated annually on 1 October, Nihonshu no Hi, or World Sake Day, marks the traditional start of Japan’s new sake brewing season. Historically linked to the rice harvest and the arrival of autumn, the day has grown into an international celebration of sake, bringing together breweries, restaurants and sake enthusiasts around the world.
At the heart of sake is rice, but producing it is a highly skilled craft. Much like wine, the character of sake is influenced by a range of factors, from the variety and quality of the rice to where it is grown, when it is harvested and how extensively each grain is polished.
Among the sakes served at Nihonbashi are Dassai 39 and Dassai 45, produced by Asahi Shuzo in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Nihonbashi was the first restaurant in Sri Lanka to introduce Dassai and has been serving the sake for over a year.
For Nihonbashi, sake is part of a much deeper connection to Japan. Since opening its doors in Colombo in 1995, Chef Dharshan Munidasa has built the restaurant around an approach to Japanese cuisine rooted in authenticity, relationships, and respect for the people and producers behind the ingredients.
The World Sake Day tasting reflects that philosophy, bringing together sake, food and the knowledge behind both, in an experience designed to give guests a deeper appreciation of one of Japan’s most celebrated culinary traditions.
Nihonbashi invites guests to raise a glass to Nihonshu no Hi on 1 October, explore its selection of sakes, and discover how each expression comes to life alongside Japanese tapas.
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