SATONOWA craft liqueur wins Gold Award at Washu Fes

The craft liqueur brand SATONOWA, developed by the Otaki Satoyama Creation Research Institute in the Otaki region of Taga, Shiga Prefecture, has won the Gold Award in the ‘Beginner Category’ at the 14th Washu Fes Grand Prize. The award, decided by visitor voting among over 130 types of Japanese spirits from 28 breweries, recognized the product ‘SATONOWA No. 4 Ginger & Hibiscus’.

This liqueur is crafted using upcycled sake lees (kasutori shochu) blended with ginger from Nagahama, homegrown hibiscus, and beets from Taga.

Following the award, the brand will participate in several upcoming events. From September 2 to 4, 2026, SATONOWA will exhibit at the 40th Gourmet Show Autumn 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight, offering tastings for industry buyers. Additionally, the brand will participate in the GOOD LIFE Fair 2026 from September 25 to 27, where it will offer tastings and sales of both the award-winning No. 4 and the Mond Selection Gold Award winner, ‘SATONOWA No. 3 Kuromoji & Red Perilla’.