Japanese sake embodies the culture of various regions and brewing techniques of different breweries. It is a perfect match for Japanese cuisine and an important part of the culinary culture that the Japanese are proud of. As we all know, Hong Kong people enjoy wine and dine. Japanese delicacies, without a doubt, are one of their favourites, resulting in the increasing number of sake lovers in the city.

In the light of the emerging sake fever, besides introducing regular sake courses, the School also organised an eight-day and seven-night "Japanese Sake Study Tour: Brewing Experience x Autumn Leaves x Sake Tasting" from 25 November to 2 December, providing the students with an invaluable cultural journey.

During the tour, the students visited the Nishiyama Brewery to experience the brewing process run by the kurabito (sake brewery worker), which is usually not open to the public. Guided by the School's sake teacher, the brewery director, the chief brewer, and the kurabito, the students stepped into the heart of sake brewing and discovered the meticulous brewing process, which included rice washing, steaming, koji making, fermentation process, and filtration. They were given the opportunity to taste dozens of sakes, learning about the unique characteristics and the dishes that go well with them, and improving their skills in sake tasting. The students also participated in a Japanese beer brewery tour and a Uji tea ceremony workshop, where they dived into the beer-making process and embraced the charm of the traditional Chado culture. As a part of the study tour, the students were able to experience the authentic pairing of Japanese cuisine and sake, which not only pleased their taste buds, but also deepened their understanding of the Japanese culinary culture.

As late autumn colours fall, the maple leaves were tinted in various shades of yellow, orange and red. Before saying sayonara to Kansai, the students spent their last part of the study tour in a Japanese garden to enjoy the romantic beauty of the fiery autumn.