Held for the First Time in Nara, the Birthplace of Sake!! Tickets on Sale for the Nationwide Sake Festival 'KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026' (57 Breweries / 3 Days)!!
Nara will host the KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026 from May 29 to 31, bringing together 57 breweries nationwide. It aims to redefine sake as a cultural experience, offering tastings, Michelin chef pairings, and historical seminars.
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The 'KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026', a sake festival bringing together breweries from all over the country, will be held for three days from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Nara Prefecture Convention Center in Nara, the birthplace of refined sake. Under the concept of 'From the origin, to the world', this is a new sake festival that conveys the history and culture of sake through hands-on experiences. From the 'origin' set against the historical background of Nara, together with brewers from all over Japan, we will broadcast the charm of sake connecting to the world.
Click here for the official website
■ Significance of this event
This event is an attempt to redefine sake from 'something to drink' to 'something to experience as a culture'. Going beyond merely tasting, we aim to become a new hub for broadcasting Japanese culture with exclusive content that can only be experienced at this event, such as a pairing lunch with a local Michelin-starred chef and seminars by brewers and the chief priest of Shoryakuji Temple, the birthplace of sake.
■ Three Features of this Event
1) The first nationwide sake festival held in Nara Prefecture, the birthplace of sake
Nara is considered the origin of sake. This is a rare opportunity for breweries from all over the country to gather against this historical backdrop.
2) Hands-on content to 'learn and feel', not just drink
Participating are 22 breweries from within Nara Prefecture and 35 from outside, plus craft sake producers, wineries, and breweries. You can cross-sectionally experience the "from tradition to innovation" of sake.
3) Designed to be open to younger generations, not just avid drinkers
Anticipating about 3,000 visitors, the target includes experience-oriented 20s to 40s and foreign tourists. It is designed to meet the values of 'quality over quantity' and 'cultural experience'.
Nara Prefecture Convention Center (Indoor venue) Nara Prefecture Convention Center (Outdoor venue)
■ Event Outline
Event Name
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026
Dates
Friday, May 29 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Hours
11:00 - 17:00 (16:00 - 20:00 on the 29th)
Venue
Nara Prefecture Convention Center (Nara City)
Organizer
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee
Supported by
Nara Prefecture, Nara City
Click here for the ticket purchase page
■ Main Content
Brewery Booths
Unique breweries from within and outside Nara Prefecture gather in one place. While speaking directly with the creators, you can touch upon the passion and background infused into the sake. This is a special opportunity to enjoy a variety of brands in small amounts via a ticket system (sold by the glass) and encounter your favorite cup. We will deliver a moment to savor the depth of sake and new discoveries.
Liquor Booths
A lineup featuring not only sake but also highly anticipated craft sake with new ideas, uniquely distinctive wines produced in Nara Prefecture, and craft beers created by local breweries. We will deliver a luxurious time where you can casually enjoy small amounts via a ticket system and encounter your favorite drink.
Gourmet Booths
Popular restaurants in Nara Prefecture gather in one place. We will prepare a variety of menus utilizing the charm of Nara's ingredients, as well as 'snacks' that pair well with the proud liquors of each shop. We will deliver a special time where you can fully enjoy the compatibility of food and alcohol while casually enjoying it via a ticket system.
Pairing Lunch Show
A special banquet featuring a co-performance by Nara's Michelin-starred chefs and brewers. We have prepared a luxurious pairing lunch that can only be tasted here, multiplying the charm of Nara's proud food and sake. By advance reservation and with a limited number of meals, you can slowly savor the flavors and stories that unfold with each dish.
Visitor Participatory Talk Show
A special program to learn while tasting, knowing the story dwelling in a single cup of 'sake'. Brewers and rice producers will take the stage to talk about the background of how sake is born, the secret stories of its creation, and their particular production methods. Along with limited sake that you can only encounter here, you can touch the depth of sake from both the aspects of knowledge and taste.
【Contact Us】
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee (Contact: Secretary-General Tadahito Tsubakino)
446-1 Koakicho, Ikoma City, 630-0201
TEL: 0743-73-8877 FAX: 0743-73-7781
MAIL: kigen_japanesesakefest@niplanning.jp
Click here for the official website
Click here for the official website
■ Significance of this event
This event is an attempt to redefine sake from 'something to drink' to 'something to experience as a culture'. Going beyond merely tasting, we aim to become a new hub for broadcasting Japanese culture with exclusive content that can only be experienced at this event, such as a pairing lunch with a local Michelin-starred chef and seminars by brewers and the chief priest of Shoryakuji Temple, the birthplace of sake.
■ Three Features of this Event
1) The first nationwide sake festival held in Nara Prefecture, the birthplace of sake
Nara is considered the origin of sake. This is a rare opportunity for breweries from all over the country to gather against this historical backdrop.
2) Hands-on content to 'learn and feel', not just drink
Participating are 22 breweries from within Nara Prefecture and 35 from outside, plus craft sake producers, wineries, and breweries. You can cross-sectionally experience the "from tradition to innovation" of sake.
3) Designed to be open to younger generations, not just avid drinkers
Anticipating about 3,000 visitors, the target includes experience-oriented 20s to 40s and foreign tourists. It is designed to meet the values of 'quality over quantity' and 'cultural experience'.
Nara Prefecture Convention Center (Indoor venue) Nara Prefecture Convention Center (Outdoor venue)
■ Event Outline
Event Name
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026
Dates
Friday, May 29 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Hours
11:00 - 17:00 (16:00 - 20:00 on the 29th)
Venue
Nara Prefecture Convention Center (Nara City)
Organizer
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee
Supported by
Nara Prefecture, Nara City
Click here for the ticket purchase page
■ Main Content
Brewery Booths
Unique breweries from within and outside Nara Prefecture gather in one place. While speaking directly with the creators, you can touch upon the passion and background infused into the sake. This is a special opportunity to enjoy a variety of brands in small amounts via a ticket system (sold by the glass) and encounter your favorite cup. We will deliver a moment to savor the depth of sake and new discoveries.
Liquor Booths
A lineup featuring not only sake but also highly anticipated craft sake with new ideas, uniquely distinctive wines produced in Nara Prefecture, and craft beers created by local breweries. We will deliver a luxurious time where you can casually enjoy small amounts via a ticket system and encounter your favorite drink.
Gourmet Booths
Popular restaurants in Nara Prefecture gather in one place. We will prepare a variety of menus utilizing the charm of Nara's ingredients, as well as 'snacks' that pair well with the proud liquors of each shop. We will deliver a special time where you can fully enjoy the compatibility of food and alcohol while casually enjoying it via a ticket system.
Pairing Lunch Show
A special banquet featuring a co-performance by Nara's Michelin-starred chefs and brewers. We have prepared a luxurious pairing lunch that can only be tasted here, multiplying the charm of Nara's proud food and sake. By advance reservation and with a limited number of meals, you can slowly savor the flavors and stories that unfold with each dish.
Visitor Participatory Talk Show
A special program to learn while tasting, knowing the story dwelling in a single cup of 'sake'. Brewers and rice producers will take the stage to talk about the background of how sake is born, the secret stories of its creation, and their particular production methods. Along with limited sake that you can only encounter here, you can touch the depth of sake from both the aspects of knowledge and taste.
【Contact Us】
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee (Contact: Secretary-General Tadahito Tsubakino)
446-1 Koakicho, Ikoma City, 630-0201
TEL: 0743-73-8877 FAX: 0743-73-7781
MAIL: kigen_japanesesakefest@niplanning.jp
Click here for the official website