Banzai Beverage

Banzai Beverage Corporation is a fully independent importer of Japanese saké headquartered in Torrance, California. Its brands include Shoichi Sato's Jokigen (上喜元), Iwao Niizawa's Hakurakusei (伯楽星), Tada Nobuo's Isojiman (磯自慢), Akimoto Takagi's Juyondai (十四代) and other hōjun umakuchi style of saké made by some of the most highly respected tōji in the world. It is also known for Snow Moon Beauty (雪月美人), Crazy Milk (くれいじぃみるく) and Banzai Bunny (月うさぎ•星うさぎ) brands. Its imports are marketed predominantly in the United States and Canada.

History

Banzai Beverage was founded in 2003 by Takahiro Tokura. Being Japanese, he was disheartened by how saké was perceived as a novelty beverage and not taken seriously in the United States. He traveled extensively throughout Japan to look for saké that would compete legitimately against the world's top wines. His selection largely features limited production saké in Japan's current hōjun umakuchi style. It will be the first time in decades that a new style and young generation of saké is introduced into the American market. This progressive selection of saké will earn Banzai Beverage the reputation of being eclectic and unique. Saké in Banzai Beverage's portfolio will go on to win prestigious awards at American wine competitions. Takahiro Tokura takes pride in how his saké is served in Western restaurants not for its novelty but for its superior taste.

In 2008, Banzai Beverage hosted Sake Fever, a public saké tasting, at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Twenty of Banzai Beverage's best tōji were on hand to sample some of their finest saké. In 2010, Sake Fever grew to become the largest saké tasting event in the United States.