Talking sake with Toji Philip Harper at Kinoshita Brewery

We are thrilled to be able to interview the one and only Philip Harper at the brewery where he works as toji, or master brewer. Philip is first non-Japanese person to become a toji at a brewery in Japan, and his impact on the world of sake cannot be overstated.

Our hosts, Cindy Bissig, Chris Pellegrini, and Frank Walter, made the trek to the tippy top of Kyoto Prefecture to visit the brewery and Philip, and what a visit it was! Philip opened up about his beginnings in the sake world, how he came to join Kinoshita Brewery, and the philosophy behind how he creates the taste of the iconic brand. Philip also revealed how he recommends drinking Tamagawa sake.

Kinoshita brewery is best known for their Tamagawa brand of sake and is located on the Japan sea coast about a 2 hours drive from Kyoto station. It has a lovely tasting room and shop where visitors can sample some of the brewery’s best brews for free.

We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at questions@sakeonair.com or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.