• Sake Sommelier
• Sake Samurai
• Owner of EUREKA! (Tokyo, Japan)

Marie Chiba hails from Iwate Prefecture. Initially a systems engineer in the insurance industry, she transitioned to the food and beverage sector out of a passion for the field. During her time working in various restaurants, she became captivated by sake, leading her to visit sake breweries and liquor stores across Japan. Through participating in training at the National Research Institute of Brewing, she acquired extensive knowledge of sake.

Marie is renowned for offering sake tailored to individual preferences, using her scientific insights to enhance the experience. She has popularized the concepts of in-mouth seasoning and pairing, creating new sake experiences. Marie collaborates with chefs and experts from various culinary fields to explore innovative styles of sake. In 2019, she was appointed a "Sake Samurai," an honor that recognizes individuals who promote sake and Japanese food culture globally. Marie continues to captivate sake enthusiasts both domestically and internationally.

Books:
In Love with Sake by Marie Chiba and Hanako Mejirushi / Shufu-to-Seikatsu-Sha
Cutting-Edge Sake Pairing by Marie Chiba and Jin Utsunomiya / Asahiya Publishing

Film:
Kampai! Sake Sisters
Starring: Miho Imada, Marie Chiba, Rebecca Wilson-Lye
Distributor: Shinka

• Sake Samurai
• Sake Sommelier
• Independent Sake Educator & Consultant
• Founder of the ‘Taste with the Toji’ project
• Host of ‘Taste with the Toji’ podcast

Simone Maynard, the Sake Mistress, is based in Melbourne, Australia.

She has been traveling to various locations in Japan since 2003 and spent the best part of 2007 living in Osaka.

Her interest in, and passion for, Japanese sake has evolved from a very early fascination with Japanese culture.

She has over 20 years experience in the food and beverage industry, and over the past decade has made sake her focus.

Her mission is to share sake stories along with the joy of sake and help promote this unique and delicious beverage, its rich history, and the incredible people behind it, in Australia and beyond.

In 2022, she was appointed as a ‘Sake Samurai’ ~ an honour that recognises individuals who promote sake and Japanese culture globally.

* Completed WSET Sake Level 3, 2017
* Completed John Gauntner's Sake Professional Course in Tokyo, 2018
* Completed John Gauntner's Advanced Sake Professional Course in Tokyo, 2019
* Selected Finalist at Sake Sommelier Awards, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2019
* Appointed as Sake Samurai, 2022
* Completed JSS Academy course in Tokyo, 2023

Wadaiko Rindo Sydney is a sydney-based Japanese taiko drumming ensemble established in 2010 with the support of Toshi Sakamoto, the director of Wadaiko Rindo taiko ensemble based in Melbourne.

Wadaiko Rindo Sydney performances are enjoyed in Sydney Regions as well as in Cowra, Canberra, Central Coast and Coffs Harbour. The group is renowned for their cheerful and energetic drumming, inspiring the whole audience through their deep dynamic sound of taiko drums.

Hananingen, a Japanese floral arrangement technique, has reached Australia with a florist YUKA KONNO becoming the first person to open a studio in Sydney, Australia in 2019 dedicated to the unique floral style.

Yuka has won numerous honors, most recently "THE BEST STUDIO FLORIST" at the Sydney Markets Fresh Award. Hananingen, which translates to “flower human” in Japanese, is a style of arranging fresh flowers on people’s heads and bodies.

It is a new form of ARTWORK that fuses flowers and people. She started this business with the hope that wearing flowers would bring out the beauty of a person and from that experience, people would love themselves, love flowers more, and the cycle of happiness would grow.

Yuka would like to stand at the origin of life and convey the beauty and fragility of life, as well as the splendor of living on earth, through her work. Making one person happy does not make one person happy.

When one person smiles, the chain of smiles continues over and over again. Increasing the smiles of people close to us is the first step towards smiles all over the world.

Through HANANINGEN ART, she would like to sow the seeds from her own hands.

“WABORI KIMONO”is the wonderful combination of indigenous Art of Australia and Japanese Traditional kimono. Enjoy the beautiful Australian art not only in the picture frame but also as a moving art. Tae Gessner is a producer of Wabori Kimono and founder of International Kimono Club Sydney and her aim is to support Australian artists in the future and the continuation of Japanese Kimono culture. Tae hopes to transform traditional image of kimono into a new trend of fashion to link Australia and Japan for their great friendship for now and the future.

2019: WABORI KIMONO show @Japan Expo
2021-2023: WABORI KIMONO shows at Japanese Embassy in Australia
2023: WABORI KIMONO show at Art Gallery of NSW

Member of WABORI KIMONO show:
Satsuki Odamura (Koto music)
Matthew Doyle (Aboriginal performance)
Asuka Endo (Dancer)
Lucia Chung (Make up)
Mari Yamada (Costume maker)
Azusa Hamasaki (Hair accessories)

TSU KI NE (月音) is a group of Japanese performers. The group not only expresses Japan with Japanese instruments alone, but also creates a new world by combining them with healing instruments such as the Tibetan Singing Bowl, Japanese Orin and Hand Pan and Gong.

We would be happy if our music could reach your soul and feed your energy and restore peace of mind!

Member of TSU KI NE:
Ryuji Hamada (Taiko, Shinobue)
Koki Tomiyama (Shakuhachi)
Asuka Endo (Singing Bowl, Hand Pan, Orin Bell)
Guru Devi K Masako (Gong)

The Consouls are a Sydney based ensemble that combine jazz and video game music to create a sound unlike any other. Think Mario meets Miles Davis, Skyrim meets Sonny Rollins or Pokemon meets Oscar Peterson. Their jazz arrangements of video game tunes have a distinct sound that is sure to please musicians and gamers alike.

Best known for their YouTube channel which has showcased new arrangements weekly for over 9 years, the band has also headlined at a number of anime conventions around Australia and also regularly tours around Japan. The group’s premiere live stream series, Consouls Radio, is a monthly concert that has attracted local fans and a global audience alike via livestream.

This year the group came full circle and made their maiden voyage in video games, contributing to the soundtrack for ‘Advance Wars 1+2 Re-boot Camp', one of Nintendo’s most anticipated video games of 2023.

City Waves, a Duo comprised of (Japanese Singer-songwriter & dancer) Sion and (Australian pianist & composer) Andy, base in Melbourne, Australia. Together they perform covers of Jpop and City Pop inspired by 80s Soul, R&B. City Waves has participated in events and festivals includes The Box Hill Town Hall Japan Festival, JAMSNET x Hope connection (Medicine x music event). Also, they has been invited to perform in numerous local Melbourne bars and restaurants. This unique Duo will surely catch your eye by their piano and vocal arrangment and improvisation.

Ren is an artist who specialises on ‘Shodo’, Japanese traditional calligraphy. In 2003 he gained Australian permanent residence as an artist and has based on Sydney.

In 2010 his work ‘Furusato’ (En: place of origin) was approved by the Japanese Foreign Ministry as a national property of Japan, meaning his artistic talent is now recognised by two nations Australia and Japan. This work is now housed at the Japanese Embassy in Canberra. He was conferred Consul-General's Commendation on in 2016.

Ren participated in production of Hollywood movie "The Wolverine"(2013) as a calligrapher and Gods of Egypt(2016) as a set-finisher.

The Australian Olympic Committee commissioned six books of ale to be written for the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams in 2020.

Originating in Japan, THE WALK AUSTRALIA 2024 is a unique contest that celebrates the art of walking -not just as a skill, but as a powerful expression capable of changing the world. This exciting competition will be held at the Australian Sake Festival Sydney, adding a unique cultural dimension to the event.

THE WALK is more than a contest; it's a movement that embraces borderless beauty and aims to foster a society free from the constraints of age, gender, nationality, and appearance. Through the simple act of walking, we aspire to create a healthier, happier society where everyone can express their unique beauty.

The Grand Prix winner will receive an exclusive invitation to compete in “THE WALK JAPAN” in Yokohama on March 24, 2025. They will have the honour of walking the runway as a special guest, showcasing an outfit designed by the renowned Made-in-Japan dressmaker, Quantize.

Entry Requirements:
- Ages 13 and up (no upper limit)
- All genders welcome
- Entry fee: 100 AUD (Includes admission to the SAKE FESTIVAL)
- 50 AUD entry fee for those under 18
- Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian

To enter, please send an Entry Request email to the following address:
info@pwa-japan.com

We, Twisting Tornadoes, are a dance team formed by elementary and high school students who all have Japanese backgrounds.

At the Sake Festival, we hope that everyone will enjoy our Japanese-inspired arrangements of kimono-like costumes and traditional Japanese music!

Break Juku is a kids' breakdance and Hip Hop class taught by experienced dancers to raise future Street Dancers.

Classes are conducted in both Japanese and English and suitable for all levels from Absolute Beginner to Advanced.

At Break Juku, everyone works towards battles and performances, creating valuable experiences and friendships along the way.