Kagoshima is in the south of Japan. Shochu is a distilled spirit representing Japan and one of the specialties of Kagoshima. While living in Kagoshima, I became interested in the unique culture of shochu. I majored in shochu at university and learned cultural and scientific studies about shochu. It gave me a deep understanding of the importance of shochu for Kagoshima.
I believe that shochu creates “Emotion”. New encounters lead to new discoveries by sharing space between different backgrounds with a glass of shochu in hand. Those exact experiences move our hearts and inspire us. Then, I decided to share this emotion I felt with more people.
Shochu is still not well recognized outside Japan. But I am convinced that there is potential for the future. I want to transmit shochu culture to the world and bring new encounters and emotions.
In the future I want to run my own distillery, produce shochu and bring it to people around the world. Therefore, I gain hands-on experience in production at a shochu distillery, not only studying in university. I am particularly interested in what can only be learnt in the field, such as hopes and originality. In addition, I learn about other countries’ liquors and cultures in shochu and Japan. I can understand Japanese unique attractions to know various cultures around the world. I plan to study in Ireland in 2024 and would like to learn about whisky production and foreign liquor cultures. I also want to link the experience gained to the dissemination of shochu culture.
I keep acting and challenging myself, which allows me to gain a wide range of experiences. Those feed into the realization of their own dreams. It will be encouraged for me by the human connections and excitement that come from the shochu I have created myself. In this way, I believe that my dream of “Bringing emotions to the world with shochu” will be realized.