From Ginza in Tokyo, Japan, Hidetsugu Ueno is one of the leaders of Japanese bartending, with a dedicated following of cocktail aficionados across Tokyo.

In 1992 he was a bartender at Lounge Bar, Nobuko, then 8 years later came his big break. In 2000 he became the head Bartender and manager at the famous authentic bar in Star Bar, Ginza. It was here where he entertained the rich and famous with his highly skillful and now infamous diamond ice carving. Cocktail making has been in Ueno-san’s blood for many years proven by his impressive array of international awards and acknowledgements. He is also a judge at the annual Nippon Bartender Association (NBA) National competitions and more recently the World Cocktail Competition. Overall he’s a real diamond.