Japanese Sake Brand "WAZU", Winner of iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 Gold, Appears at GINZA SIX B2F from April 29th with Four Brands Including New Product

Japanese sake brand "WAZU" (Operated by: THREE Inc., Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Nobuhiro Tsuchiya) is pleased to announce the launch of its fourth new product and the opening of a POPUP STORE at GINZA SIX B2F.

In just one month since its sales began, and with its first offering at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, "WAZU" has achieved remarkable growth over the past year. Domestically, it has been adopted by world-class luxury hotels, exports have commenced to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and inquiries have been received from Michelin-starred restaurants in New York, USA, demonstrating its continuous evaluation at a global standard for its taste.

Furthermore, in terms of design, under the direction of design partner canaria Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Yuji Tokuda), "WAZU" has won the iF Gold Award, the highest honor at the "iF DESIGN AWARD 2026", one of the world's three major design awards. Combined with the Good Design Award in Japan and the DFA Design for Asia Awards in Hong Kong, this marks a triple crown in international design awards. "WAZU", having established a global reputation through both its taste and design, will welcome customers to its first physical store this spring.

■ Communicating Japan to the World and Giving Back to the Regions

Upholding this mission, unchanged since its founding, "WAZU" has primarily followed the path outlined below over the past year:

• Cannes Film Festival

  In May 2025, the brand was first offered internationally at the Japan Pavilion (supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs) of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. A cup inviting guests to a journey through Japan was presented to global cultural figures involved in the art of cinema.

• Adoption by Luxury Hotels in Japan

  It was adopted by a leading luxury hotel in Japan as its first domestic distributor. This is a quality recognized by world-class hospitality.

• Commencement of Overseas Exports (Hong Kong, Taiwan)

  Exports have begun to these markets, which lead Asian gourmet culture. It is being accepted as a cultural experience that transcends the boundaries of sake.

• Inquiries from Michelin-Starred Restaurants in New York

  In the United States, multiple Michelin-starred restaurants in New York have made inquiries for adoption, and export preparations are in the final stages.

With a single sip, one can experience the air and scenery of the region, as if having traveled. "WAZU" has already received inquiries from multiple countries worldwide and is preparing to deliver its sake to even more people and regions. Furthermore, "WAZU" embodies sake that goes beyond the drinking experience. The "EMAKI" (picture scroll), which gives form to the idea of a journey experienced through sight, reading, and all five senses, has received the world's highest design recognition.

• iF DESIGN AWARD 2026

  One of the world's three major design awards (established in 1953). In 2026, over 10,000 entries were received from 68 countries worldwide, with only 75 receiving Gold Awards. In the beverage category, only two brands worldwide, including WAZU, were selected. This is the first award for a Japanese sake brand since the award's inception (*1).

• DFA Design for Asia Awards

  Asia's largest international design award (organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre)

"WAZU" delivers a "once-in-a-lifetime journey" accompanied by travelogues written in both Japanese and English, as if enveloped in a picture scroll. Each bottle tells the story of its region and invites you on a journey. This philosophy resonated with the global judges among over 10,000 entries.

(*1) According to our research, "WAZU" is the first Japanese sake brand to win a Gold Award since the iF DESIGN AWARD was established in 1953.

■ New Product Launch & GINZA SIX Pop-up Store

Building on its global recognition, "WAZU" will hold its first physical store sales event as a limited-time POPUP STORE at GINZA SIX, coinciding with its spring 2026 renewal.

Period: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – Monday, June 1, 2026 (Approximately one month)

Location: GINZA SIX B2F (6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

Content: Sales of the full lineup, including the pre-sale of new products / Tasting experience

The new product will be available for sale from the first day of the pop-up. This will be the first opportunity to see all four brands, including the three existing ones. Details of the new product will be announced separately closer to the event.

WAZU is a new Japanese sake brand born from the concept of a "once-in-a-lifetime journey." Collaborating with sake breweries across Japan, it offers a unique experience that invites you on a journey to discover unknown Japanese culture and landscapes with every sip. The bottles are adorned with traditional Japanese picture scrolls, and the journey begins the moment you hold one.

WAZU will continue to deliver once-in-a-lifetime encounters while promoting regional Japanese culture on the global stage.

WAZU

https://wazu-sake.jp/

canaria works

https://www.canaria-world.com/works/WAZU/

Details of the iF Design Award (English)

https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/wazu/753193

【Contact Regarding This Matter】

THREE Inc. Public Relations

E-mail: info@threesake.com