Every week, sake sommelier Satoko Utsugi leads groups of overseas visitors past the Fukagawa Fudosan Temple and along a shopping street in Tokyo's downtown neighborhood of Monzen-Nakacho.
Their destination is Orihara Shoten, a sake shop with a tasting bar, and Utsugi's mission is to provide a taste of Japanese culture through the country's national drink. At the shop, she answers questions and acts as an interpreter when the Japanese customers express curiosity in her guests — an almost inevitable occurrence.
"Japanese people become a lot friendlier after a little sake," she laughs, adding that bonhomie is an important part of the experience she offers.