Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, 1125 N 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Sho Asano Live: The Art of Tsugaru Shamisen & Sake 101:
Phoenix, AZ – The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix invites you to an unforgettable evening of music, culture, and flavor on September 11th, 2025. Featuring Sho Asano, hailed as one of Japan’s most dynamic Tsugaru shamisen performers, this intimate outdoor concert blends centuries-old tradition with fresh, modern energy. This collaboration is brought to you by Mar Creation, Inc. and Touch of Creation.
Enhancing the experience, sake aficionado Takuma Ogihara will host a Sake 101 session. Attendees will sample premium chilled sake while learning tasting techniques, brewing insights, and savvy pairing tips.
About Sho Asano:
Sho Asano, a native of Miyagi Prefecture, began studying the Tsugaru shamisen at the age of five. At eight, he captured his first national championship and, by fourteen, became the youngest Class A champion, later earning three consecutive titles and a place in the Hall of Fame. As a core member of MIKAGE PROJECT, Sho continues to push creative boundaries, fusing Japanese folk soul with contemporary sounds on stages worldwide. “Folk songs are deeply connected to everyday life, and performing around the globe has reminded me of the beauty and power of Japanese culture,” says Sho Asano. “I’m thrilled to share this passion and explore these traditions from exciting new perspectives.”
About Takuma Ogihara:
Since 2005, Takuma Ogihara has championed premium Japanese sake in the U.S. market. While still in college, he founded a New York–based import company and introduced chilled, artisanal sake to top restaurants, including NOBU and MASA. Renowned for his clear, engaging style, Takuma regularly speaks at industry events and travels to Japan to source hidden-gem breweries, demystifying sake for wine lovers and newcomers alike.
About the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix:
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, known as Rohoen, is a traditional Japanese stroll garden that offers a serene environment for relaxation and cultural appreciation. It is a symbol of the sister-city relationship between Phoenix and Himeji, Japan. The garden features a koi pond, a tea house, waterfalls, and carefully curated flora that reflect the beauty and culture of Japan.
For more information about the Sho Asano Concert with Sake 101 event at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix,
please visit https://www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org/ or contact Emily Doig, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator at emily.d@jfgphx.org.
Ticket link: https://www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org/event-details/sho-asano-live-the-art-of-tsugaru-shamisen-sake-101
