Event Information

Ever wondered what the rice polishing ratio on a sake label actually means — and whether you can taste the difference?
Join us at the Sydney Sake Festival 2026 for a special free sake and food pairing seminar, presented by the National Tax Agency JAPAN as part of its initiative to promote Japanese alcoholic beverages in Australia.
Led by sake sommelier Kana Aoyama, this session will explore one of the most recognisable — but often misunderstood — elements of sake: Seimai-buai, or rice polishing ratio.

Polishing the Palate: The Seimai-buai Story

Rice polishing ratio appears on many sake labels, but understanding what it means in the glass can be much more interesting than simply reading a number.
This seminar will take guests on a tasting journey through different sake styles, exploring how rice polishing and the resulting sake characteristics can influence flavour, aroma, body and texture — and how those differences can be brought to life through food pairing.
Guests will taste five different sake, moving across a range of styles from richer, fuller expressions through to more refined and delicate profiles. Each sake will be paired with a food item selected to complement its weight and character, allowing guests to experience the differences side by side.
All five sake featured in the seminar are products represented by exhibitors at the Sydney Sake Festival, so guests can continue exploring the featured styles throughout the festival.
The five accompanying dishes will be created especially for the seminar by Izakaya Mitto, a modern Japanese restaurant that opened in The Rocks this year.

About Kana Aoyama

Kana Aoyama is a sake sommelier with a passion for making sake approachable and helping people better understand the diversity of styles, flavours and ways to enjoy Japan’s iconic drink.
Through this guided tasting, Kana will break down the concept of seimai-buai in an accessible way, helping guests connect what they see on a sake label with what they actually experience in the glass and alongside food.

Seminar Details

Polishing the Palate: The Seimai-buai Story
Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Time: 4:30 pm – 5:10 pm
Venue: Seminar Area, Sydney Sake Festival 2026
Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks
Capacity: 36 guests
Price: Free
*A General Admission ticket for the corresponding Sydney Sake Festival session is required.

How to Join

No advance bookings will be available for this seminar.
Numbered seminar tickets will be distributed at the Seminar Area from 4:00 pm on the day, on a first come, first served basis.
Capacity is strictly limited to 36 guests and distribution will end once all seminar tickets have been allocated, so we recommend heading to the Seminar Area early.

Important Dietary Information

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate individual food allergies or dietary requirements for this seminar.
Information regarding allergens contained in the food served during the seminar will be updated on this page once the menu has been finalised.