Judges' Evaluation Leading to the Grand Gold Award

KURA ONE® Wins Gold and Grand Gold Award – Chosen by Foreign Experts Thriving in Japan!

The OMOTENASHI Selection, which assesses products from Japan that foreign creative directors, media professionals, embassy officials, and others actively working professinaly in Japan find noteworthy for introducing to their home countries or appreciate for embodying the essence of Japanese hospitality, OMOTENASHI, awarded KURA ONE® with the Gold Award. Furthermore, it received the prestigious "Grand Gold Award," reserved for products particularly esteemed among all awardees. How did the judges from 15 different countries evaluate KURA ONE®?

Overview:

Evaluation Criteria:

OMOTENASHI: Does it exhibit thoughtful consideration for the user, with evident attention to detail and care?


GLOBAL: From a foreign perspective, does its charm resonate with individuals from the judge's home country or other nations?

Judges:

  • Creative Director of the English lifestyle magazine and web magazine "Tokyo Weekender" (UK)
  • Influencer residing in Japan with over 5.6 million Weibo followers (China)
  • Founder of an online community for foreigners living near Tokyo (USA)
  • Buyer and media operator targeting the Middle East (Saudi Arabia)
  • Documentary film director (Argentina)
  • Owner of a tourism and trade company (Singapore)
  • Embassy official (Germany)
  • Others

Judge's Comments:

"It would make a fantastic souvenir appreciated by anyone worldwide. The concept is captivating, and the packaging is both enjoyable and well thought out. With a diverse range of flavors, it appeals to a wide audience. It serves as a great introduction to Japanese sake for many overseas individuals, especially in Italy. The lightweight aluminum can is a convenient alternative for carrying, eliminating the need for transporting heavy bottles." (Italy)

"Delicious sake packed with umami. Personally, I favor the 'Katsuyama Ken Junmai Ginjo.' The idea of sake in aluminum cans is brilliant, making it convenient for souvenirs and easy to transport. The variety and the reasonable price point make it enjoyable for Malaysians, contributing to the popularity of sake in the region." (Malaysia)

"This series allows people to savor Japanese sake, representing Japan, in a thoughtful way. The packaging, bilingual in Japanese and English, is noteworthy, considering foreign consumers. The lineup of rich flavors in lightweight and durable aluminum cans enhances convenience. The product is easily accessible online and offline, making it suitable for the Dutch market. It can be enjoyed personally or shared with friends, making it versatile for various occasions, including gifts." (Netherlands)

"Each brand with its unique taste offers a delightful experience. Personally, I find the 'Award-winning Sake' most distinctive in flavor. The growing demand for sake in the United States, evident in The New York Times, indicates a sake boom. Considering America's healthy alcohol culture and reasonable pricing, KURA ONE® becomes a valuable choice in the local sake market." (United States)

"From design to brand, variations, and compact size, it's an outstanding product. I feel tempted to purchase a set as a gift for friends interested in sake. The concept of repurposing the can as home decor after consumption is brilliant. It's like a refined version of the traditional 'One Cup' sake, catering to various preferences." (Sweden)

"I believe one of the first things that come to mind for many people when they think of Japan is sake. The ingenuity behind transforming traditional glass bottles of Japanese sake into cans, emphasizing lightweight portability and preventing alcohol degradation due to environmental factors, makes this product incredibly creative. The visual design also exudes a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. In the Philippines, where convenient and portable alcoholic beverages are popular, this sake stands out for its rich variety, compact can packaging, and diverse design options—from cute and feminine to those likely to appeal to men. The pricing is reasonable, making it a favorable choice in the Filipino market. (Philippines)

"A convenient and enjoyable way to experience sake individually. The diverse options are appealing for the North American market, especially in Canada. The comprehensive information makes it beginner-friendly. The name 'KURA' is memorable and advantageous. Overall, I found the flavors to be excellent." (Canada)

"Using Japanese rice and incorporating Japanese ingenuity in the packaging, it exudes a Japanese vibe. Easy to carry and choose different sake based on themes and flavors. As sake gains popularity in Hong Kong, the reasonable pricing makes it accessible, not only in Hong Kong but also in the U.S., Europe, China, and other regions." (Hong Kong)

"The can's design makes it an attractive gift from Japan. Requesting Japanese sake as a souvenir from Japan is common, but bottles are inconvenient for luggage. This canned version addresses that issue. With sake's popularity increasing worldwide, especially in the UK, the reasonable pricing is likely to draw considerable interest." (United Kingdom)

"An excellent concept for introducing sake to foreigners unfamiliar with it. The website is user-friendly, and the chart indicating sweetness, acidity, umami, etc., is convenient. The small, canned size makes it easy for Westerners, including Belgians, to purchase and try. The packaging is also stylish." (Belgium)

"This is a meticulously thought-out product, allowing the exploration of various flavors from small quantities. It's a fantastic item that not only provides an opportunity to try different tastes but also serves as a great introduction to Japanese sake for foreigners. Purchasing a single bottle can be expensive and less accessible for casual buyers, so the option to try in a compact size is a clever and considerate approach. I believe this will be well-received by people in Argentina." (Argentina)

"A well-thought-out product allowing exploration of various flavors from small quantities. It serves as an excellent introduction to sake for foreigners. Compact sizes enable easy sampling without committing to a full bottle. It's a creative and diverse product suitable for the Australian market, offering a variety of flavors at an affordable price." (Australia)

"Great concept, wonderful design, and above all, the taste of sake is exceptional. The compact aluminum can is visually appealing, and the pricing is reasonable. A fantastic combination of outstanding packaging and excellent sake, appealing not only in Italy but globally." (Italy)

"Convenient in terms of delivery and storage. The sake itself is delicious, and the extensive variety is appreciated. The reasonable pricing is likely to be well-received by people in Vietnam." (Vietnam)

"The most captivating aspect is the ability to enjoy 21 brands of sake, each with distinct regional flavors. Particularly for tourists from abroad wanting to taste a variety of sake, this product offers a fantastic solution. The ability to choose according to personal preference is another great feature. It has the potential to be a popular souvenir not only in Taiwan but globally." (Taiwan)

Owner's Comment:

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for receiving the Gold Award and, furthermore, the highest honor of the Grand Gold Award for our small-sized aluminum can Japanese sake, "KURA ONE®," which embodies the business mission of transforming the challenge of delivering the unreachable. We are truly touched by the meticulous evaluation received from the judges, who not only recognized the issues KURA ONE® aimed to address but also appreciated the experiences we aspire to share with people around the world through our product. The sake itself is crafted with dedication and passion by the artisans at the brewery. It is our mission to convey both the essence of this sake and the sentiments of the brewery to people worldwide. The recognition and comments from the judges in this award ceremony serve as a significant encouragement as we strive to showcase the unique characteristics of Japan's regions to the world. Moving forward, KURA ONE® will continue to expand its lineup, conveying the depth and diverse variety of Japanese sake.

Katsunari Sawada / KURA ONE Owner