First-Ever Nationwide (57 Breweries/3 Days) Japanese Sake Festival 'KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026' Tickets Now On Sale in Nara, the Birthplace of Sake!!
The 'KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026,' a nationwide sake festival, will be held for the first time in Nara, the birthplace of sake, from May 29-31, 2026. Bringing together 57 breweries, this experiential event aims to convey sake as a culture, with tickets now on sale.
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The Japanese Sake Festival "KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026," where breweries from all over Japan will gather in Nara, the birthplace of sake, will be held for three days from May 29 (Friday) to 31 (Sunday), 2026, at the Nara Convention Center. With the concept of "From Origin to the World," it is a new sake festival that conveys the history and culture of Japanese sake through experiential activities. From Nara, a historical backdrop representing the "origin," we will disseminate the charm of Japanese sake, connecting to the world together with breweries from all over Japan.
Official website here
■ Significance of this event
This event is an attempt to redefine sake from "something to drink" to "something to experience as a culture." Beyond mere tasting, it aims to become a new hub for disseminating Japanese culture through unique content that can only be experienced at this event, such as pairing lunches with local Michelin chefs and seminars with the chief priest of Shoryakuji Temple (the birthplace of sake) and brewers.
■ 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 Japanese sake. This is a rare opportunity for breweries from all over Japan to gather against this historical backdrop.
2) Experiential content to "learn and feel" not just drink
22 breweries from Nara Prefecture + 35 breweries from outside the prefecture will participate, along with craft sake, wineries, and breweries. You can experience the "tradition to innovation" of Japanese sake across the board.
3) Designed to be open to younger generations as well as sake connoisseurs
Approximately 3,000 visitors are expected, targeting experience-oriented individuals in their 20s to 40s and inbound tourists. The design caters to values of "quality over quantity" and "cultural experience."
Nara Convention Center (Indoor Venue) Nara Convention Center (Outdoor Venue)
■ Event Outline
Event Name
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026
Dates
May 29 (Friday) - 31 (Sunday), 2026
Hours
11:00-17:00 (29th: 16:00-20:00)
Venue
Nara Convention Center (Nara City)
Organizer
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee
Sponsors
Nara Prefecture, Nara City
Ticket purchase page here
■ Main Contents
Brewery Booths
Unique breweries from within and outside Nara Prefecture will gather. You can interact directly with the brewers, touching upon the thoughts and background embedded in their sake. This is a special opportunity to enjoy a variety of brands in small quantities (ticket-based per cup) and discover your favorite. We will deliver a moment to savor the depth of Japanese sake and new discoveries.
Sake Booths
In addition to Japanese sake, the lineup includes craft sake, which is attracting attention with new ideas, unique wines from Nara Prefecture, and craft beers brewed by local breweries. This is a luxurious time to casually enjoy small quantities (ticket-based per cup) and encounter your favorite drink.
Gourmet Booths
Popular restaurants from Nara Prefecture will gather. We will offer a variety of menus that highlight the charm of Nara ingredients, as well as "ates" (food pairings) that go well with each restaurant's proud sake. This is a special time to casually enjoy (ticket-based) and savor the compatibility of food and sake.
Pairing Lunch Show
A special banquet featuring Nara's Michelin chefs and brewers. We will offer a luxurious pairing lunch that can only be enjoyed here, combining the charm of Nara's proud food and sake. With advance reservations and limited servings, you can slowly enjoy the flavors and stories that unfold with each dish.
Audience Participation Talk Show
A special project to learn and savor the story residing in a single cup of sake. Brewers and rice producers will take the stage to talk about the background of how Japanese sake is born, its secret stories, and theirこだわりの brewing methods. You can experience the depth of Japanese sake from both knowledge and taste, along with limited edition sakes that can only be found here.
【Contact】
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee (Contact Person: Secretary General Yujin Tsubakino)
〒630-0201 Omyo-cho 446-1, Ikoma City
TEL: 0743-73-8877 FAX: 0743-73-7781
MAIL: kigen_japanesesakefest@niplanning.jp
Official website here
Official website here
■ Significance of this event
This event is an attempt to redefine sake from "something to drink" to "something to experience as a culture." Beyond mere tasting, it aims to become a new hub for disseminating Japanese culture through unique content that can only be experienced at this event, such as pairing lunches with local Michelin chefs and seminars with the chief priest of Shoryakuji Temple (the birthplace of sake) and brewers.
■ 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 Japanese sake. This is a rare opportunity for breweries from all over Japan to gather against this historical backdrop.
2) Experiential content to "learn and feel" not just drink
22 breweries from Nara Prefecture + 35 breweries from outside the prefecture will participate, along with craft sake, wineries, and breweries. You can experience the "tradition to innovation" of Japanese sake across the board.
3) Designed to be open to younger generations as well as sake connoisseurs
Approximately 3,000 visitors are expected, targeting experience-oriented individuals in their 20s to 40s and inbound tourists. The design caters to values of "quality over quantity" and "cultural experience."
Nara Convention Center (Indoor Venue) Nara Convention Center (Outdoor Venue)
■ Event Outline
Event Name
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest 2026
Dates
May 29 (Friday) - 31 (Sunday), 2026
Hours
11:00-17:00 (29th: 16:00-20:00)
Venue
Nara Convention Center (Nara City)
Organizer
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee
Sponsors
Nara Prefecture, Nara City
Ticket purchase page here
■ Main Contents
Brewery Booths
Unique breweries from within and outside Nara Prefecture will gather. You can interact directly with the brewers, touching upon the thoughts and background embedded in their sake. This is a special opportunity to enjoy a variety of brands in small quantities (ticket-based per cup) and discover your favorite. We will deliver a moment to savor the depth of Japanese sake and new discoveries.
Sake Booths
In addition to Japanese sake, the lineup includes craft sake, which is attracting attention with new ideas, unique wines from Nara Prefecture, and craft beers brewed by local breweries. This is a luxurious time to casually enjoy small quantities (ticket-based per cup) and encounter your favorite drink.
Gourmet Booths
Popular restaurants from Nara Prefecture will gather. We will offer a variety of menus that highlight the charm of Nara ingredients, as well as "ates" (food pairings) that go well with each restaurant's proud sake. This is a special time to casually enjoy (ticket-based) and savor the compatibility of food and sake.
Pairing Lunch Show
A special banquet featuring Nara's Michelin chefs and brewers. We will offer a luxurious pairing lunch that can only be enjoyed here, combining the charm of Nara's proud food and sake. With advance reservations and limited servings, you can slowly enjoy the flavors and stories that unfold with each dish.
Audience Participation Talk Show
A special project to learn and savor the story residing in a single cup of sake. Brewers and rice producers will take the stage to talk about the background of how Japanese sake is born, its secret stories, and theirこだわりの brewing methods. You can experience the depth of Japanese sake from both knowledge and taste, along with limited edition sakes that can only be found here.
【Contact】
KIGEN Japanese Sake Fest Executive Committee (Contact Person: Secretary General Yujin Tsubakino)
〒630-0201 Omyo-cho 446-1, Ikoma City
TEL: 0743-73-8877 FAX: 0743-73-7781
MAIL: kigen_japanesesakefest@niplanning.jp
Official website here