Kohodo Launches Pre-Orders for YAKO, a Luxury Non-Alcoholic Ginger Ale

Kohodo, a ginger ale specialty producer based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has opened pre-orders for YAKO, a luxury non-alcoholic ginger ale, starting March 5, 2026. Bottled in a 375ml bottle presented in a paulownia wood box and priced at ¥11,000 (tax included), it is aimed at restaurant pairings, special dining occasions, and as a gift for someone important.

Background

Kohodo has long been pursuing the ultimate ginger ale, and its products have been adopted by over 100 restaurants, including 34 establishments listed in the Michelin Guide 2026 (among them one three-star, five two-star, and eleven one-star restaurants). The drinks have been praised for their compatibility with food and their layered aromas.

In recent years, non-alcoholic beverages have evolved from a simple substitute for alcohol into a category of drinks people actively choose. YAKO emerged from this shift, designed as a ginger ale that dials back sweetness and heat and places the focus squarely on fragrance.

Product Features

YAKO is designed with aromatic beauty at its core rather than foregrounding sweetness, heat, or spice. Yuzu juice and Wasanbon sugar give it a soft, refined lift of fragrance. Combining the rounded warmth of cooked ginger with the bright freshness of raw ginger creates a drink with genuine depth. The result is a glass that complements a meal while leaving a quiet, lasting impression.

Early Access at Select Restaurants

Ahead of the April shipping start, YAKO is already being served at the following six restaurants (as of March 5, 2026; availability is subject to change and roll-out timing varies by venue):

• l'élan (Tokyo, French cuisine)
• Miyawaki (Tokyo, Japanese cuisine)
• Sushi Eishin (Saitama, Sushi)
• Miyakawamachi Hotta (Kyoto, Japanese cuisine)
• Iwakura (Tokyo, Teppanyaki)
• eman (Tokyo, Spanish cuisine)

Product Overview