All Nippon Airways (ANA) has once again elevated its in-flight beverage program, collaborating with master sake sommelier Yasuyuki Kitahara—winner of the fourth World Sake Sommelier Competition—to curate a sophisticated sake lineup for 2025. These exceptional selections are now featured across ANA’s international and domestic flights, as well as in the ANA SUITE LOUNGE.
According to Hideki Kunugi, ANA’s Executive Vice President, "At ANA, we are committed to redefining the onboard dining experience, and our newest sake menu showcases our dedication to Japanese hospitality and culinary excellence. Our partnership with Mr. Kitahara ensures that every passenger enjoys a world-class introduction to sake, reflecting ANA’s relentless pursuit of quality."
The selection process was both rigorous and meticulous, involving blind tastings and a comprehensive review of over 300 sake breweries. ANA ultimately selected 46 outstanding sakes, including highly sought-after labels such as Jikon, Kamoshibito Kuheiji, and Kokuryu. These choices represent the pinnacle of Japanese sake craftsmanship, with each bottle chosen for its harmony with ANA’s award-winning cuisine and its ability to delight a global audience.
Kitahara and the ANA team prioritized not only flavor complexity and aroma but also each sake’s compatibility with in-flight dining and its resonance with Japan’s changing seasons. The result is a balanced portfolio, ranging from crisp, bright sakes ideal for summer to rich, full-bodied varieties perfect for autumn. This curated approach ensures that every guest can discover a sake suited to their palate, further elevating the ANA travel experience in 2025.
