“Sake Bottle Opener” Developed under the supervision of Hidetoshi Nakata and highlighting Japanese craftsmanship Wins the 2025 Good Design Award!

JAPAN CRAFT SAKE COMPANY Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that,
in collaboration with SUWADA Manufacturing Co., Ltd. based in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture -renowned worldwide for its metalworking technology
-we have developed and begun sales of a dedicated “Sake Bottle Opener.”

We are further delighted to inform you that this Sake Bottle Opener has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Good Design Award, presented by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (Japan Institute of Design Promotion).

The idea for this product originated when our representative, Hidetoshi Nakata, encountered SUWADA’s manufacturing excellence during his travels in Niigata, and was inspired by a vision: if red wine has the sommelier’s corkscrew, why should sake not have its own speciality tool? In recent years, sake bottles have become more tightly sealed to preserve quality—making them more difficult to open. With this in mind, we went through repeated refinements to realise a tool by which anyone can open such bottles smoothly and elegantly. This is our new Japanese tool, born of that determination.

Designed so that anyone can open bottles naturally, beautifully, and safely, the Sake Bottle Opener is conceived as a new instrument that enables easier and more enjoyable experience of sake than ever before. It has been highly acclaimed—not only by consumers—but also by sake breweries themselves, as well as restaurants in Japan and overseas, as a tool that helps promote Japan’s proud sake culture more widely.

【Key Features】
Versatility across many caps: Compatible with various kinds of sake stoppers—including different thicknesses and shapes of uchibuta, aluminium caps, and crowns—using just one tool. It even works with juice or beer bottles.
Effortless operation: Its gently curved body maintains the wrist in a natural angle, allowing secure and effortless opening—even for stubborn caps.
Refined quality and hygiene: Crafted in one seamless stainless steel form and hand-finished by artisans, the tool offers outstanding durability and cleanliness.
Elegant design: Its sleek operational design suits everyday home use and presents beautifully in a restaurant setting.

【Comment from the Jury】
“Its quietly blade‑like presence immediately suggests that it was engineered specifically for opening sake bottles. The design intelligently balances usability and beauty: it accommodates stoppers of various sizes, and its slender tip is refined for peeling off cap labels. Most significantly, it was conceived in response to the challenge of opening sake bottles—a task not easily undertaken—and achieves a graceful, unobstructed opening gesture. This tool will surely contribute to the cultivation and global promotion of sake culture.”

Product Summary

Product name	Sake Bottle Opener
Dimensions	Approx. 137 mm in length, Weight: Approx. 54 g
Price	Starting at ¥9,900 (incl. tax)
General release date	October 1, 2025 (Wed)

With its foundations in Japan’s proud tradition of craftsmanship, we aim for the Sake Bottle Opener to become a beautifully crafted, sought-after opener—serving as a bridge between sake and the world.

Manufacturer
SUWADA Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1926 (Taishō 15) in the renowned metalworking region of Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture. Beginning as a blacksmith workshop, SUWADA built its reputation by pursuing the intrinsic value of blades. Its core product, the nail clipper, is treasured by professional manicurists and medical practitioners worldwide.

Since 2011, their headquarters factory has operated an “OPEN FACTORY” programme—without the need for reservations. Annually, over 40,000 visitors tour their facility.

For more details, see SUWADA’s product page: https://www.suwada.co.jp/products_ja/sommelier/sakebottleopener