ANA Extends Partnership with Acclaimed Sake Brewer Naohiko Noguchi Through 2027

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) has announced that Mr. Naohiko Noguchi, Master Sake Brewer of the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute (Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture), whose sake is served in ANA International First Class, Business Class, and airport lounges, has been recommended by the Council for Cultural Affairs to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for designation as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage (commonly known as a "Living National Treasure").

ANA expresses its deepest respect and congratulations for Mr. Noguchi's remarkable achievement, as and thanks him for sharing his sake with passengers around the world since his first vintage in 2017.

ANA and Noguchi Sake Institute Initiatives

• A 9-Year Partnership - ANA and Mr. Noguchi first partnered in 2017, the year the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute was established. Starting with its very first vintage brewed that same year, ANA has served his sake on flights and in domestic airport lounges.

• Special Pasteurization to Deliver Supreme Flavor in the Skies

• To preserve the sake's rich, original flavor at high altitudes where air pressure and cabin conditions change how it tastes, Mr. Noguchi produces a custom version for ANA using an exclusive pasteurisation (hi-ire^*1) process.

  
  

Future Service Schedule

Currently (FY2026), these sakes are served in International First Class, Business Class, Domestic Premium Class, as well as in domestic ANA SUITE LOUNGE and ANA LOUNGE locations for international flights, where passengers have praised their rich aroma and depth of flavor. Given that response, ANA will continue to offer sake from the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute in FY2027^*2 (March 2027 - February 2028). Additionally, a special feature article on Mr. Noguchi is scheduled for the January 2027 issue of ANA's inflight magazine, TSUBASA GLOBAL WINGS.

"On behalf of the ANA Group, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Naohiko Noguchi on his recommendation for designation as a Living National Treasure," said Juichi Hirasawa, President and CEO.

“We are deeply moved by Mr. Noguchi's lifelong passion for sake brewing and his relentless pursuit of excellence. It is a source of immense pride for us that he has helped deliver 'Japan's ultimate flavor' to passengers worldwide through ANA's flights and lounges over many years. Like Mr. Noguchi's who honors tradition while continuing to innovate, ANA remains committed to offering our customers around the world experiences that inspire."

Sake Offerings from Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute in 2026 (March 2026 - February 2027)