Hot July in Every Sense

July was filled with events that felt like the culmination of the first half of 2026. I'm relieved and grateful that I was able to make it through such a busy month successfully.

1. Hakko Tour

This year marked the fifth Hakko Tour. This time, it was an invitation-only tour, taking our guests to Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo.

Many of the participants were members of the academic community. Since the itinerary included a biotechnology symposium on the first day and company visits on the last day, it was quite different from our usual brewery-focused tours. It offered a fresh perspective and made for a fascinating journey in its own way.

One downside—if you can call it that—was enjoying so many delicious meals every single day. It's certainly a luxurious problem to have, but even more than three weeks after the tour ended, I'm still trying to get back to my normal waistline!

2. "Fermentation × Global" Networking Event

This was the third time we held our "Fermentation × Global" networking event.

Around 20 people gathered, including those living overseas who promote Japanese fermentation abroad, those based in Japan who work internationally, and people hoping to begin such activities in the future.

Conversations sprang up all around the room, and the atmosphere became so lively that it was hard to hear the person standing next to you. It was wonderful to see so many people sharing the same passion and vision.

3. Koji Connect Japan

After more than six months of preparation, we finally held Koji Connect Japan in Kofu.

The event featured a live koji-making demonstration and educational session by Gomi Shoyu, streamed online to participants around the world. Every aspect of the event—from planning and promotion to operations—was a first for us, and there were plenty of challenges along the way.

Fortunately, thanks to Mr. Gomi's wonderful ideas, the professional expertise of our streaming team, and the warm support and cooperation of everyone who participated, the event was a great success.

July was truly hot—in every sense of the word.

I learned so much through these experiences, especially things that only become clear once you actually try something new. I hope to build on these lessons in future projects.

To everyone who joined us and supported these events, thank you very much. It was a pleasure to share these experiences with you.