Nakata Hidetoshi

Former player for Japan’s national soccer team. After retiring, left on a trip to 100 nations and regions. From 2009 went on a tour of all 47 of Japan’s prefectures, visiting over 400 sake breweries along the way. Moved by the flavors and deep cultural roots of the drink, he founded Japan Craft Sake Company in 2015. Currently involved in sake consulting, development of the Sake Cellar refrigerator, the Sakenomy app, and the sake drinkware brand Nathand, and sponsorship of Craft Sake Week, one of the world’s largest sake events. Nakata showcases Japanese culture and artisanship across a variety of media, including posting his travels online at the website Nihonmono , introducing artisans in a book of the same title, and hosting a weekly radio show, Voices from Nihonmono.