Winners of the "22nd Glass Bottle Awards 2026" Announced

The Japan Glass Bottle Association (Chairman: Hisatsugu Ishizuka / Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) held the "22nd Glass Bottle Awards 2026" in the city and announced eight award-winning products, including the Grand Prize. [Hata Kosen Co., Ltd.'s "HATA PREMIUM" Wins the Grand Prize] The first and final judging was conducted by head judge Lily Franky, along with judges Miki Tominaga and Rina Mirai, to select the winning products from a total of 161 entries (212 bottles). Hata Kosen Co., Ltd.'s "HATA PREMIUM" was chosen for the Grand Prize. It was praised for the following reason: "We are particularly delighted by the revival of the nostalgic all-glass ramune bottle, made of glass right up to the mouthpiece. For some it's nostalgic, for others it's new, but it reminded us that glass items were treasures, recalling our childhood. It also has the practicality of being more delicious to drink with a cool mouthfeel that matches the temperature of the bottle in your hand. This product was recognized for its sustainability, reviving a traditionally loved Japanese beverage as a modern gastronomy drink." [Glass Bottles Where Nostalgia and Novelty Coexist] While this year's entries saw many products with the sense of stability and security characteristic of glass bottles, there were also eye-catching bottles with unprecedented colors and original shapes. While having their own personality, they also effectively enhance the appeal of the contents. That is why the glass bottle, as a versatile and profound container, enables diverse expressions that are at once gentle and challenging, nostalgic and new. The possibilities of glass bottles continue to expand. [Grand Prize] Hata Kosen Co., Ltd. HATA PREMIUM Praised for: "We are particularly delighted by the revival of the nostalgic all-glass ramune bottle, made of glass right up to the mouthpiece. For some it's nostalgic, for others it's new, but it reminded us that glass items were treasures, recalling our childhood. It also has the practicality of being more delicious to drink with a cool mouthfeel that matches the temperature of the bottle in your hand. This product was recognized for its sustainability, reviving a traditionally loved Japanese beverage as a modern gastronomy drink," it was selected for the Grand Prize. [Excellence Award] Welcome Co., Ltd. DEAN & DELUCA Fruit Drink Series Praised for: "The fact that not only the product logo on the front but also the ingredient list and barcode on the back are printed directly without labels is clean and impressive. It's also nice that it saves the trouble of peeling off a label. The simple and beautiful bottle design enhances the deliciousness and increases the value of the contents," it was selected for the Excellence Award. [Excellence Award] Suntory Holdings Limited Jim Beam Highball Bottle Praised for: "The freshness of having a highball, which is strongly associated with cans, in a glass bottle is wonderful. The smart bottle shape is easy to hold and pour. The stylish design, which looks like it could contain a liqueur, is suitable for table use. The 500ml capacity, which is enough to fully enjoy a highball, is also a great feature," it was selected for the Excellence Award. [Lily Franky Award] Kenten Jitsugyo Co., Ltd. Akkeshi Single Blended Japanese Whisky Tōji Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Rikka Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Risshū Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky Shōkan Praised for: "In a market where many domestic whiskies use brush calligraphy for the product name to create a Japanese atmosphere, this label design stands out with high originality and a great sense of graphic design. It's a design that speaks to confidence in the contents. The bottle, with its solid and stable feel, also has a beautiful color, making it a wonderful product overall," it was selected for the Lily Franky Award. [Miki Tominaga Award] Can Water Co., Ltd. EASTBLUE M Praised for: "I was truly blown away by its striking presence that seems to shine on its own. The bottle, finished with a beautiful mirror surface using half-aluminum vapor deposition technology, harmonizes well with the purple color layered on top, perfectly embodying the concept of a gorgeous and sexy world. This product showed the wide range of expression and possibilities of glass bottles," it was selected for the Miki Tominaga Award. [Rina Mirai Award] ACOU SPIRITS Co., Ltd. ACOU RUM Silver ACOU RUM Aging α FIRST EDITION 2025 Praised for: "The bottle, inspired by the goddess of the sacred 'Akou tree,' has a beautiful silhouette that gradually changes from the roundness of the shoulders to straight lines towards the bottom, culminating in a square base. The label design, depending on the viewing distance, shows the lines connecting to form the goddess's face..."