April Sake Event Roundup: Akita, Tochigi, Gunma, Greater Tokyo — Plus a National Festival in June
KAMPAI Editorial
The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association has released its "Sake Event Calendar: April 2026 Edition." Akita's 28 breweries in Ebisu, Tochigi's 26 in Osaki, Gunma's local sakes in Takasaki, and Greater Tokyo breweries in Yurakucho — April is packed with sake events almost every weekend. June brings the National Sake Fair at Ikebukuro Sunshine City.
Akita Sake Event in Tokyo (April 4–5, Ebisu)
Two days at the Yebisu Garden Place center plaza. Twenty-eight Akita breweries, organized by the Akita Sake Brewers Association. New releases included. Tickets are ¥3,500 (15 drink tickets) or ¥7,000 (30 tickets) in advance, ¥500 more at the door. Saturday starts at 4 PM; Sunday opens earlier at 11 AM.
Shimotsuke Toji New Sake Showcase 2026 in Tokyo (April 8, Osaki)
A new sake unveiling by the Tochigi Sake Brewers Association. Twenty-six breweries present their latest at Osaki Bright Core Hall. Weeknight event, 7–9 PM. First 300 guests, ¥5,000 advance. This is the kind of event where you taste while talking directly with the brewers.
29th Gunma Local Sake Festa (April 18, Takasaki)
A standing-style tasting at G-Messe Gunma's main hall, featuring Gunma breweries with booth presentations and a new sake debut for "All-Gunma Jizake." Food vendors on site. First 500 guests, ¥4,000 advance only — no door sales.
Greater Tokyo Brewers' Meetup 2026 (Yurakucho)
Breweries from Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Yamanashi gather at the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan in Yurakucho. Two sessions, 250 guests each. Advance tickets ¥4,000 (includes ¥1,000 in drink tickets, a sake cup, and water). No walk-ins. Date not yet announced.
National Sake Fair in June
Looking further ahead, the National Sake Fair 2026 takes place June 19–20 at Ikebukuro Sunshine City. It combines the national sake expo with the public tasting session of the Annual Japan Sake Awards. Tickets go on sale around May.
April has a sake event nearly every weekend. If you're choosing just one, the prefecture-focused format is a good way to get a concentrated introduction to a region's sake all at once.