Japanese Sake Fair 2018

The Japanese Sake Fair 2018 is set to see approximately 1,400 Japanese liquors from brewers across Japan gathered at what is the world's largest sake event, taking place in Ikebukuro, Tokyo on Saturday.

Visitors to the Japanese Sake Fair 2018 (日本酒フェア), hosted by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, will have the chance to get to grips with the expertise of brewers from 45 of Japan’s prefectures through tasting and comparison, and will even have the chance to sample the 410 award-winning sake from the 106th Annual Japan Sake Awards, presenting the best of the nation’s sake from 2017.  

The sake fair, held at Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City complex consists of two parts -- the Public Tasting of The 106th Annual Japan Sake Awards and the 12th National Sake Fair.

Held over April and May of this year the 106th Annual Japan Sake Awards saw 840 entrees from brewers across Japan in what is the only national sake award in the country. A fixture on the Japan sake calendar since the first event took place in the 1911, the 106th awards, organized by the The National Research Institute of Brewing (独立行政法人酒類総合研究所) and the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (日本酒造組合中央会), also oversaw investigations aimed at improving the quality and manufacturing methods of sake.

Saturday’s fair provides the only chance for the general public to try their hand at tasting so much award-winning sake gathered in one place. In fact, among the events hosted by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, the Japan Sake Fair boasts of most the largest, most extensive line up which, in 2017 welcomed over 6,000 visitors.  

2018 will see brewing association’s from each prefecture set the theme for the sake they want to exhibit. A move which will allow each brewer to better demonstrate the characteristics of their region as well as of their product.

The fair this year will also include tasting contests testing the visitor’s ability to distinguish between brands, exhibitions of calligraphy created by Japanese Prime Ministers, and a snack booth serving up traditional nibbles to complement the sake. Visitors can also learn about the sake brewing process and have their questions addressed by industry experts.

The 2018 Sake Fair presents a seminar from Keith Norum. Hailing from California, Norum is part of the team at Nagano-based Miyasaka Brewing Company, Ltd. “Masumi,” established in the mid-17th century and one of Japan’s premier sake brands.

Norum’s seminar will look at the current sake market and the ways in which it is being shaped, here in Japan, and overseas.

The seminar will be held at the World Import Mart Bldg. 5F (part of the Sunshine City complex) from 16:00 - 16:30

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Are you a fan of Japan's sake?  Ever been to the Japanese Sake Fair?  What events in Japan are you looking forward to?  Let us know in the comments.

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