Chizuko Niikawa-Helton grew up in a Zen Buddhist temple called "GIHOZAN HOSHO-JI in the Akita Prefecure of Japan. She attended "TAKUSHOKU UNIVERSITY'and then "ESMOD JAPON" – a fashion college and was a fashion designer for ten years in Tokyo. It was not until her father was seriously ill and subsequently passed away that she realized the beauty of her Japanese heritage. Chizuko remembered the deep reverence that her father held for the culture of their countryside hometown of Akita Prefecture which is known for it's wonderful sake. This inspired her to learn about sake and share it with the world.

Chizuko earned her sake sommelier certification at the Sake Service Institute in Japan and now is the sake sommelier at Sakagura Restaurant in New York City. What she loves about being a sake sommelier here in the United States is sharing what she feels is the next best thing to actually visiting Japan- tasting it’s time honored and much loved sake!

Chizuko placed 3rd in the New York Regional 2nd World Kikisake-shi (saké sommelier) Competition sponsored by the Saké Service Institute.