Japan Sake Brewers Association Releases Japanese Sake Event Calendar for April 2026

The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (日本酒造組合中央会), the largest industry body in the sake sector representing approximately 1,600 liquor manufacturers nationwide — including Japanese sake, authentic shochu and awamori, and hon mirin producers — has released its Japanese Sake Event Calendar for April 2026. The calendar highlights sake-related events and topics taking place in Tokyo and across Japan, offering plenty of opportunities to encounter Japanese sake.

Akita Sake Enjoyment Gathering in Tokyo

Dates: Saturday, April 4 – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM (doors open at 3:00 PM) / Sunday, April 5 – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (doors open at 10:00 AM)

Venue: Ebisu Garden Place Center Square (Ebisu 4-20, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

Organizer: Akita Prefecture Sake Brewers Cooperative / Supported by Akita Prefecture

Official Website: https://osake.or.jp/

Following its 2024 edition, this outdoor event brings together 28 sake brands from Akita — known as Japan's "Kingdom of Fine Sake" — at Ebisu Garden Place Center Square. In addition to sake tastings, attendees can purchase bottles on-site and browse snacks and goods sold by Akita Prefecture's antenna shop.

Admission:

Pre-sale: ¥3,500 (15-ticket sake voucher) / ¥7,000 (30-ticket sake voucher)
Day-of: ¥4,000 (15-ticket sake voucher) / ¥8,000 (30-ticket sake voucher)

Pre-sale Tickets: e+ https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4470600001-P0030001

New Generation Tochigi Sake – Shimotsuke Toji New Sake Announcement 2026 in Tokyo

Date: Wednesday, April 8 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Venue: Osaki Brightcore Hall (Kita-Shinagawa 5-5-15, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo / 3F Osaki Brightcore)

Organizer: Tochigi Prefecture Sake Brewers Association

Website: http://sasara.lib.net/

Young brewers from 26 Tochigi breweries will showcase their latest new sakes at this gathering. The event is centered on the "New Generation Tochigi Sake" — a wave of fresh expressions crafted by the next generation of brewers across the prefecture.

Capacity: 300 (first-come, first-served)

Admission: Pre-sale ¥5,000

Tickets: e+ https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4478750001

29th Gunma Local Sake Festa

Date: Saturday, April 18 – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Venue: G-Messe Gunma, 2F Main Hall (Iwao-cho 12-24, Takasaki-shi, Gunma)

Organizers: Gunma Prefecture Sake Brewers Cooperative / Gunma Prefecture Sake Brewers Association

Related Website: https://www.gunma-sake.or.jp/festa29.html

All of Gunma's sake manufacturers gather for this showcase event, where each brewery sets up its own booth to promote locally crafted sake. This year also features a debut of new sake made with "Maikaze," a sake rice variety developed in Gunma, billed as an all-Gunma production. Food vendors will also be on hand offering local products and dishes (standing-style).

Capacity: 500 (first-come, first-served)

Admission: Pre-sale ¥4,000 (no day-of ticket sales)

Tickets:

Metropolitan Area Brewery Interaction Event 2026

Venue: Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan, 12F Diamond Hall (Yurakucho 2-10-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

Organizer: Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association Tokyo Branch (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Yamanashi Prefecture Sake Brewers Associations)

At this event, selected sake and shochu from breweries in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Yamanashi prefectures will be available for tasting. Visitors can hear directly from brewers about the drinks and discover their personal favorites. Each ticket includes a ¥1,000 paid voucher that can be used at premium tasting corners or for purchasing bottles. The 2024 Miss SAKE representatives from the four prefectures will also be in attendance.

Capacity: 250 per session (2 sessions)

Admission: Pre-sale ¥4,000 (no day-of ticket sales; includes ¥1,000 paid voucher, dedicated mini ochoko, and 500 ml drinking water)

Tickets: e+ https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4475510001-P0030001

Japanese Sake Fair 2026 – Save the Date

The "Japanese Sake Fair," which gathers breweries from across Japan, is set to return to Ikebukuro, Tokyo — the first time in two years. Details will be announced as they become available.

Japanese Sake Fair 2026

Dates: Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20 (the National New Sake Competition Public Tasting will be held on June 20 only)

Venues:

① 17th National Japanese Sake Fair
Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Exhibition Hall A (Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-1-3, Toshima-ku, Tokyo / World Import Mart Building 4F)

② Reiwa 7 Brewing Year National New Sake Competition – Public Tasting
Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Exhibition Hall B (Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-1-4, Toshima-ku, Tokyo / Bunka Kaikan Building 4F)

Organizer: Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association

Official Website: https://sakefair.com/ (scheduled to be posted from mid-April onward)

Schedule:

① 17th National Japanese Sake Fair (3 sessions)