CHEERS TO WOMEN’S HISTORY: FANTASTIC FEMALE JAPANESE BARTENDERS

It’s Women’s History Month! To celebrate this event, I will share my favorite quote here:

“I didn’t grow by winning all the time, but I became stronger by losing.”

It was said by Saori Yoshida, a famous Japanese wrestler known as “the strongest woman in the animal kingdom.”

This powerful statement always inspires me because it reminds me of the strength and beauty of today’s females created by the steps taken by incredible women in history, who faced and overcame challenges all the time. Their efforts are like blooming mimosa flowers, making us stronger and more valuable.

In this blog, I will introduce the stories of five amazing female bartenders who have made a significant impact in Japan. Let’s make a toast to the hardworking women who share Japanese culture through delicious cocktails and continue to make history!

Mari Kamata

The first bartender I will introduce is Mari Kamata, who serves as a Mixology & Bar Manager at The Peninsula Tokyo.

Between April and November 2023, the monthly event “Queen of the Night (月下美人)” took place at the Peninsula Tokyo’s top-floor Peter Bar. During this event, Peninsula hosted female bartenders who hailed from across Japan and showcased their fantastic cocktails.

The event’s name, “Queen of the Night” was inspired by a flower that blooms only one night a year, aiming to provide an unforgettable experience that can only be enjoyed on this special night. Mari Kamata, a successful head bartender, brought a new bloom to Japan’s bar industry. Unlike the inspired flower definition, I believe the flowers she created will continue blooming.

Now, are you wondering why she became such a wonderful female bartender?

After 10 years of experience as a bartender, she took the role of Senior Bartender at Peter Bar in The Peninsula Tokyo since its opening in September 2007. Additionally, she has won awards in various cocktail competitions and served as the representative of Japan in a global competition held in London. In June 2017, she started overseeing all beverages in the hotel’s restaurants and banquets. By March 2023, she has taken on the position of Mixology & Bar Manager at Peter Bar, focusing on enhancing the overall experience and mentoring young talent. Currently, she holds qualifications as a sommelier, sake sommelier, and medicinal herb advisor.

Her passion for alcohol and endless creativity have truly shaped and colored Mari Kamata’s present.

The Peninsula Tokyo’s signature cocktail, created by Mari Kamata and The Tokyo Joe, is inspired by the 1949 Hollywood film “Tokyo Joe.” The movie is set in a bar, in Ginza before and after World War II, featuring scenes at the iconic Hibiya Crossing, where The Peninsula Tokyo stands today, around 60 years later.

Her cocktail “Tokyo Joe” is a blend of Bombay Sapphire, plum wine, Drambuie (Humphrey Bogart’s favorite spirit), cranberry juice, and lemon juice. This combination matches the sweetness of alcohol with the tartness of fruits, leaving a mild and refreshing aftertaste.

I highly recommend trying this special cocktail served in a custom-designed glass! It allows you to savor the taste, aroma, and visual appeal simultaneously.

Wakan Paloma is another one of Mari’s cocktails that is only available until the end of March. It combines ginseng & turmeric tequila, yuzu liqueur, grapefruit juice, elderflower tonic water, and ginseng, and turmeric salt, offering the benefits of “Vitality x Detox.”

This is a collaboration cocktail created by Mari Kamata and Akane Akiyama, the ninth-generation head and pharmacist of the longstanding herbal medicine store “Honsoukaku,” founded in Nagoya in 1830.

Interestingly, The Peninsula Tokyo offers three types of “Totonou cocktails”, seasonally. As Mari Kamata holds qualifications as a medicinal herb advisor, these cocktails are known for being incredibly healthy and easy to drink. The effort put into these cocktails is based on Chinese medicine that has been uniquely developed to fit Japan’s climate and culture, known as “Wakan” (Japanese Kampo), and known for its beneficial effects on the body.

“Avec bon pain, bonne chere et bon vin, on peut envoyer promener la medecine.” This is a French proverb that translates to “With good bread, good food, and good wine, you don’t need a doctor.”

Japanese culture also has many healthy drinks using traditional herbal medicine such as Houmeishu. Please try the seasonal cocktails at The Peninsula Tokyo for a refreshing and healthful experience!!

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nFmMT4eiF9hey7Lt8

Website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/tokyo/hotel-fine-dining/peter-hotel-bar

Wakana Murata

Wakana Murata serves as the head bartender at Tokyo Confidential, one of Tokyo’s hottest new bars and where she stands out as one of Japan’s most successful female bartenders.

Now let’s explore her background!

Wakana (Waka for short) was born and raised in Japan. Before discovering her passion for bartending, she worked in recruitment and marketing positions. However, to chase her dream, she moved to Singapore and took on the role of Bar Manager at Alchemist Beer Lab where she honed her skills behind the bar. Afterward, Waka gained recognition through global competitions such as Diageo World Class. In 2020, she was recruited to the opening team at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon.

Waka not only led the cocktail development at the hotel’s Gold Bar but also played a crucial role in increasing the bar’s brand awareness. This effort resulted in an impressive #56 ranking in Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2023, just a year after its opening.

After joining Tokyo Confidential as Head Bartender, Waka is excited about launching a new concept as an inclusive space in Tokyo, known for a good time and great hospitality.

She describes that her cocktails are simple and minimal, yet complex and delicate in flavor, with fun twists and Japanese elements. The menu highlights a shared love of agave and champagne by Waka and Tokyo Confidential’s founder Holly Graham and lesser-known Japanese spirits such as Awamori and Nigori.

One highly recommended option is “Sunburn,” created by Waka. This cocktail is crafted with aloe yogurt, Japanese sake, and other delicious ingredients, offering a delightful experience for travelers who want to savor the essence of Japanese flavors for sure! The delicate harmony between the subtle Japanese sake and the mild yogurt flavor is exceptional, and its stylish presentation gives you good vibes.

Not only that, but all cocktails from the opening menu are available for 2,000 yen. Moreover, you can enjoy an amazing view of Tokyo Tower from the bar. Waka’s beautiful traditional cocktails, accompanied by dishes prepared by the Michelin two-star chef Daniel Calvert, will add a special touch to your Japanese travels!!

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/k4vxFa5AKxiwVwH56

Website: https://www.tokyoconfidential.com/

Yukino Sato

Next, let me introduce Yukino Sato, who serves as the main bartender at Folklore. The name “folklore” includes the meaning of folk traditions, and the bar aims to weave various cultures and traditions. Working at this bar that cherishes traditions, she works hard every day to combine Japan’s proud sake culture, including shochu, through the filter of mixology.

During her student days, she became interested in bartending while interning at a hotel, inspired by the bartender who took care of her. In 2011, she joined SPIRITS & SHARING.INC, where she got into making cocktails and helped set up places like “Mixology Salon” and “FOLKLORE.” Currently, she is the main bartender at “FOLKLORE” and enjoys bartending in other countries too.

One of her signature cocktails is the “Aromatic Wood Sake.” 500 years ago in the Muromachi era, the first generation of the Shino style established the Kado (art of incense appreciation). This cocktail emerged as an inquiry into new possibilities for Kado.

Aromatic Wood Sake is a limited-edition cocktail using rare aromatic wood, maixing sake, Kyara, tonka beans, white port wine, and butterscotch. As the ice melts, it gives off a mellow fragrance. The Geisha ice ball adds a cool color and vibe to the drink, taking you to an exotic world.

If you are a traditional Japanese alcohol lover, be sure to visit her and taste the authentic aroma!

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hsWt9rK8BddN1B3C7

Website: https://www.jrtk.jp.e.wz.hp.transer.com/hibiya-okuroji/

Makiko Ohtsu

Next, let me introduce Makiko Otsu, the main bartender at SEBEK, Fukuoka!

She was born and raised in Fukuoka with 23 years of bartending experience. Her journey into bartending started when she went to a bar with her sister and got frustrated not knowing what to order. Because of that, she decided to study every cocktail and drink available there.

A book she bought for her studies had the words “future owner bartender,” and at that moment, she intuitively felt like she would become one too. After high school, she went to a bartending school in Shibuya and experienced 11 years of learning in Fukuoka.

In 2011, she opened BAR SEBEK. From 2013 to 2021, she participated in the NBA National Bartender Skills Competition as the Kyushu representative, earning recognition in various competitions.

The best news is her cocktail “Zuika” won the Suntory Cocktail Award 2021, with the theme of “a drink that connects hearts.”

The inspiration came from her beekeeping hobby, which she started in her garden due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cocktail includes Japanese craft gin ROKU, matcha liqueur, honey from her Japanese honey bees, ginger syrup, and natural water, creating a delightful taste.

The name “Zuika” means “snowflakes dancing down to the green earth” and symbolizes a bright future. This cocktail is created with her hope that every sip brings happiness and melts hearts, connecting one soul to another.

Despite the tough times with COVID, it’s really cool how she didn’t give up, found things she could do, and came up with ideas, isn’t it?

The cocktails she makes, especially if you’re a fan of honey and matcha, are something you must try in Fukuoka. Please visit her and savor her harmony!

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/F7FLY4V5AAukBkEW6

Website: https://www.instagram.com/barsebek

Naomi Takahashi

Lastly, let me introduce Naomi Takahashi, the manager of “BAR Gaslight EVE,” in Ginza. This bar has only female bartenders.

In 2012, she won the 39th National Bartender Skills Competition. Additionally, she won the Pre-Dinner Cocktail category at the I.B.A. World Cocktail Championship 2013 in Prague, Czech Republic. Thus, she became the first Japanese female bartender to be the world champion.

Naomi Takahashi loves communicating with customers, getting feedback on what she makes, and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Moreover, she practiced a lot by visiting senior bartenders in Shikoku, aiming to be the best in Japan. Currently, her focus is on creating drinks with all her heart for the customers right in front of her.

Now, would you like to try a cocktail made by the best female bartender in Japan?

If yes, I highly recommend Naomi’s cocktail “Wisteria“, which won at the 2013 IBA World Cocktail Championship. It’s a mix of rum and muscat liqueur, with the sweet aroma of muscat and a smooth taste despite the alcohol percentage. Furthermore, the garnish of fruits beautifully presented in the glass not only expresses fancy but also delicacy.

Even though the bar is located in Ginza, Naomi, originally from Kochi Prefecture, puts effort into using ingredients unique to Kochi for the cocktails as she loves her hometown deeply.

Why not try her fresh cocktails?  It’s a must-visit place, especially for women who find it challenging to go to bars or those who prefer drinking alone.

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CJxatXpXN9ZWbDWH6

Website: https://www.bar-gaslight.com/

Sato Yukino Sato stated that working as a female bartender in Japan sometimes led to a negative perception due to the term “hostess bar.” She faced additional challenges as a woman, and even her parents were concerned. Furthermore, Makiko Otsu also faced challenges when entering the bar industry, as there was a belief that women were not needed in bartending back then. However, they poured their efforts into cocktail creation every day, hoping to express their passion for bartending.

Unfortunately, facing challenges is sure to happen when women try something new. Yet, the perseverance of females like Yukino, Makiko, and other female bartenders has borne fruit. Today, they stand as gorgeous flowers, enhancing the beauty of the bar industry. Not only for them but for all women, Women’s History Day is an important time to celebrate. So let’s raise a toast to this marvelous history!

Featured photo by Ash Edmonds on Unsplash

 

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