EQ, in collaboration with JFC Malaysia and acclaimed Japanese fine-dining restaurant Kampachi, successfully celebrated Nihonshu no Hi or World Sake Day with an event dedicated to Japan’s signature drink. On 1 October 2025, guests were invited to an interactive evening celebrating its artistry, culture, and tradition. This date was significant as it marked the start of the traditional sake brewing season, coinciding with Japan’s seasonal rice harvest.
Held at Sky51, EQ’s award-winning rooftop bar, the event was graced by the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Shikata Noriyuki. The evening featured a seminar where guests explored a variety of premium sake and curated culinary pairings, coordinated by certified sake master Ms Akane Yamada.
The evening was guided by Hirose Ryuichi, Deputy General Manager of JFC Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. At approximately 5:40PM, members of the event joined a global livestream connecting with simultaneous celebrations happening around the world, including locations in Aomori, Kochi, Ehime, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Each location was offered a brief moment to share greetings and toasts, allowing guests to participate in a truly international kanpai. This unique connection highlighted the shared global appreciation for sake. The livestream marked Malaysia’s second representation at this event, the first in 2024 being held at IPPUDO LaLaport BBCC and joined one of many held annually since 1978 when the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) officially designated 1 October as Sake Day.
As the oldest Japanese restaurant in Malaysia, Kampachi has played a pioneering role in the development of sake appreciation locally. For instance, artisanal labels such as Izumibashi, a 168 year-old brewery from Ebina, Japan have been introduced to aficionados in Malaysia. Representing this storied brand via livestream was their sixth-generation master brewer, Mr. Yuichi Hashiba who provided some insights to the craftsmanship and heritage behind their exceptional products. A flagship in their lineup was their award-winning Junmai Ginjo Megumi Blue Label, which placed first among 824 sakes in a competition in 2020 and for which Kampachi is proud to be the exclusive importer in Malaysia.
The insights shared helped raise the level of understanding and appreciation of different types of sake. Among those featured in the Kuala Lumpur segment were:
Izumibashi Junmai Ginjo Megumi Blue Label
Hiyashibori (Daiginjo)
Deshin Yuki (Junmai Ginjo)
Yoshinosugi Taru Sake
This exceptional range was complemented by a selection of canapés from Kampachi and Sabayon, including daikagu imo (candied sweet potato), smoked salmon tartare, house-dried cherry tomato tart, chicken roulade, beetroot doughnuts, and chocolate macarons.
“World Sake Day is an event that has grown from strength to strength,” said Mr Donald Lim, Equatorial Group’s Chief Executive Officer. “Kampachi has been at the forefront of promoting sake and we are very proud to be able to host this event at EQ which is one of the best hotels in the world*. Having it livestreamed from Sky51, itself among the Top 5 rooftop bars in Asia**, gave this occasion added gravitas.”
The General Manager of EQ, Justin Lee, added, “Our hotel prides itself on offering exceptional experiences in one of the most exciting cities in Southeast Asia. We take great pleasure in curating events for our guests that pull together fantastic elements that individuals might not themselves have access to. An event like World Sake Day unites people with an appreciation for the best in life, with a master brewer whose ultimate goal is perfection in the sake he produces is one such example.”
October is represented by the character 酉 (tori), which was originally a symbol for a sake jar. World Sake Day honours Japan’s sake culture and celebrates this drink as an essential element of its diverse culinary heritage. The traditions associated with it such as the kanpai! toast is very much a part of the celebratory experience that goes hand in hand with its cuisine.
*In July 2025 EQ ranked #22 in Travel + Leisure magazine’s listing of Top 100 Hotels in the World – the only hotel in Malaysia to make the list
**Time Out Magazine