If there’s one thing Delhi loves, it’s a night that blends culture and conversation, and a generous pour of something special. And the opening of Japan Month 2026 on Wednesday at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, was all that and more.

Japanese Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi (Photo: Manoj Verma/HT)

The evening kicked off on a soulful note with a violin performance by artist Shunsuke Kojima on the song Chhoti Si Aasha from the 1992 film Roja.

The ambassador then highlighted how shared values form the bedrock of the friendship between the two nations. And soon, the spotlight shifted to the evening’s main star — sake.

He said, “Good food and good drink is another important bridge between us! Tonight, we offer a wide selection of Japanese sake and shochu, produced using traditional Koji brewing techniques. As someone who enjoys sake, I can assure you that it pairs surprisingly well with Indian cuisine.”

Taking the stage next was sake sommelier Maaya Takaoka, who also spoke about Japan’s iconic drink: “The reason a traditional drink from Japan pair so well with Indian food is because of its umami taste. It has very low acidity and almost no tannins, meaning it won’t clash with spices. Its gentle sweetness actually helps soften the heat.”

Yuichi Hashiba, the sixth-generation head of a historic Japanese sake producer, added, “This is my first visit to India, and I am truly impressed by your country’s energy, history, and even your famous traffic and driving skills! I am thrilled to introduce Japanese sake to such a dynamic and growing market.”