Tokyo Sake Festival 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Japan's Top Sake Events
Tokyo is the heart of Japan, where countless shops, restaurants, and businesses from all over the country gather. Despite being a metropolis, one of its most distinctive features is the abundance of nature, with lush green parks like Ueno Park and Jingu Gaien.
In this vibrant city, exciting gourmet events featuring famous foods from across Japan are held every month. This article introduces events centered around Japanese sake, a traditional alcoholic beverage that you absolutely must try when visiting Japan. I've compiled basic information and highlights of events running from March to November, so please use this as a reference to enjoy sake during your travels.
Must-Visit! 12 Recommended Events in Tokyo to Enjoy Exquisite Japanese Sake from All Over Japan
Japanese sake is an alcoholic beverage made from rice and pure water, with over 1,000 years of history. It remains commonly consumed in Japan today and has many enthusiasts both domestically and internationally.
In this article, I'll introduce 12 events where you can experience the profound world of Japanese sake in Tokyo. In addition to Japanese sake-related events, I'll also highlight outdoor drinking events where you can enjoy alcohol while experiencing Japan's beautiful seasonal changes.
Washu (Japanese Alcohol) Festival in Nakameguro (March/October)
Source:Official website
The Washu Festival is a regular event held in Nakameguro, an area known for its concentration of restaurants and bars.
Visitors can purchase a tasting pass that allows them to sample 230 carefully selected sakes from across Japan. If you find a sake you particularly enjoy, you can also purchase it on the spot.
The charm of the Washu Festival lies in being able to enjoy sake matched to the season. Events featuring sake selections ideal for drinking in summer, autumn, and other seasons are held regularly. The Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 in March will feature "hanami-zake" (sake for cherry blossom viewing) as its centerpiece.
One of the essential ways to enjoy Japanese sake is to drink it while appreciating beautiful seasonal nature, such as cherry blossoms or the autumn moon in October. Why not visit the Washu Festival in Nakameguro to find the perfect sake for the season?
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- Dates: March 29-30, 2025
[Session 1] 12:00-14:10 (2 hours 10 minutes) [Session 2] 15:00-17:10 (2 hours 10 minutes)
- Access: Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line/Tokyu Toyoko Line (Direct to Fukutoshin Line)
- From Nakameguro Station, South ticket gate/East Exit 2, immediately in front of Nakameguro GT Tower Plaza
- Admission: Tasting Pass ¥3,300 - All featured sake varieties available for tasting
- Website: https://sakefes.com/tokyo27/
Odaiba Oktoberfest (April)
Source:GO TOKYO
The Odaiba Oktoberfest is a German beer event held in Odaiba in April. You can enjoy authentic German beers and German cuisine such as wurst outdoors on Odaiba's spacious grounds.
The charm of the Odaiba Oktoberfest is its festive venue setup and vibrant atmosphere. Being a large-scale event, the venue features huge outdoor tents as well as attractions similar to an amusement park, including a Ferris wheel.
Furthermore, since it takes place during Golden Week, the major holiday period in May, the vast venue is typically filled with crowds every year.
Last year, I also enjoyed the festive atmosphere reminiscent of a large festival and draft beer from the barrel. If you're visiting Tokyo in May, why not come to Odaiba to enjoy beer and the lively atmosphere? The Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 visitors will particularly appreciate this event as it showcases another side of Japan's beverage culture alongside traditional sake offerings.
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- Dates: April 25 - May 6, 2025
- Access: About 5 minutes walk from Daiba Station or Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station on the Yurikamome Line
About 5 minutes walk from Tokyo Teleport Station on the Rinkai Line → - Odaiba Symbol Promenade Park, Central Plaza
- Admission: Adults: 500 yen / Elementary school students and younger: Free
- Website: https://www.oktober-fest.jp/odaiba_spring/index.html
CRAFT SAKE WEEK (April)
Source:Official website
CRAFT SAKE WEEK is a sake tasting event held in Roppongi. Participants first purchase a "starter set" that includes an original sake cup and event coins. You can freely sample sake using your cup at booths set up by over 100 sake breweries.
This event is a stylish sake event where you can enjoy high-level Japanese sake and gourmet food. It is hosted by Hidetoshi Nakata, a famous former Japanese soccer player who is also a celebrity. He and his team of experts have brought together top-level sake breweries from all over Japan.
Additionally, many Michelin-starred top-level restaurants also participate, offering special food that pairs perfectly with sake. The Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 series presents this premium opportunity for visitors to experience Japan's finest sake culture in an upscale environment.
If you would like to enjoy high-quality SAKE and food in a stylish and modern spot in Roppongi, why not participate in CRAFT SAKE WEEK?
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- Dates: April 18-29, 2025
Weekdays 15:00-22:00 (Last order 21:30, Last venue stroll 21:45)
Weekends/Holidays 12:00-21:00 (Last order 20:30, Last venue stroll 20:45)
- Access: Directly connected to Exit 1C of Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
4 minutes walk from Exit 3 of Roppongi Station on the Toei Oedo Line → Roppongi Hills Arena
- Admission: CRAFT SAKE Starter Set 4,200 yen
- Website: https://craftsakeweek.com/
9th Nihonbashi Area Sake Tasting Walk 2025 (April)
Source:Sasaki Syuten
This is a sake tasting event held in the retro and high-society area of "Nihonbashi." Popular sake breweries participate with 50 different varieties, setting up booths at various spots throughout Nihonbashi. Participants pay approximately 4,500 yen at reception points set up around the area and receive a cute special sake cup decorated with a rabbit illustration and a map.
The highlight of this event is that you can enjoy exploring the Nihonbashi area along with sake tasting. Participants can walk around the area following the map, visiting sake booths as they please for tastings. Nihonbashi is a historic business district where modern buildings and retro restaurants coexist. For visitors attending the Tokyo Sake Festival 2025, this event offers a perfect introduction to both traditional Japanese sake and the historical central Tokyo neighborhood.
Let's explore this history-rich area in the heart of Tokyo while drinking sake. This event is highly recommended for those who want to enjoy both sake and city exploration.
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- Dates: April 12, 2025, 14:00-18:00
- Access: [Reception Points]
4 minutes walk from "Ningyocho" Station on the Toei Asakusa Line → Shinakaya Sasaki Liquor Store (2-20-3 Nihonbashi Ningyocho)
Also, Dalia Shokudo (2-9 Nihonbashi Odenmacho), +naru nihonbashi (1-4-12 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
- Admission: Advance tickets 4,000 yen / Same-day tickets 4,500 yen
- Website: https://blog.sasas.jp/event/ka20250412.html
Downtown Highball Festival (June)
Source:Official website
This event is a regularly held alcohol and gourmet food event at Shinkoiwa Park in the downtown area of Katsushika ward, Tokyo. In 2024, the venue featured numerous booths selling alcoholic beverages including highballs, as well as delicious food stalls.
The charm of this event is that you can enjoy popular alcoholic beverages in downtown Tokyo. Japanese sake is certainly popular in the downtown areas too. Additionally, highballs have been beloved as a downtown drink in Japan.
At this event, I tried a spicy highball called "Kingyo" (Goldfish), which contains red chili peppers. The sharp spiciness was addictive, making me want to drink several glasses.
Besides the Highball Festival, Shinkoiwa Park will regularly host other alcohol-themed events in the future. If you want to enjoy alcoholic beverages in downtown Tokyo, be sure to visit Shinkoiwa Park, where you might even experience the Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 atmosphere before heading to other events.
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- Schedule: (2024 Highball Festival information) October 12-14, 2024, 10:00-21:00
- Access: 3-minute walk from "Shinkoiwa" Station → Shinkoiwa Park
- Admission: Free entry, food and drinks for purchase
- Website: https://shitamachi-highball.com/booth/
Japanese Sake Fair (July)
Source:PR TIMES
The Japanese Sake Fair is an authentic Japanese sake event with participation from numerous sake brewers across Japan. The fair includes tastings of award-winning sake from competitions and the opportunity to purchase sake from all over Japan. Additionally, seminars about Japanese sake are held.
At the "Public Sake Tasting Session," you can sample and compare special award-winning Japanese sake. The event showcases 400 varieties of Japanese sake that have won awards in the annual competition hosted by the Japan Sake Brewers Association.
This is a popular event that even dedicated sake enthusiasts eagerly attend, as it's a rare opportunity for non-industry people to taste all the award-winning sake of the year at once. The Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 calendar would certainly highlight this prestigious event as a must-visit for sake lovers.
Tastings, fair, and seminars are each limited in capacity, and participation is possible by purchasing tickets. If you're seriously interested in Japanese sake and want to deepen your knowledge and experience, why not participate?
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- Schedule: July 5-6, 2025 (varies by event)
Access: 8-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station (JR, Tokyo Metro, Seibu Line, Tobu Line), Exit 35 East → Ikebukuro Sunshine City
- Admission:
① 16th National Japanese Sake Fair
General: 3,000 yen / Student discount: 2,500 yen (limited to students 20-25 years old)
② Reiwa 5 Brewing Year National New Sake Competition Public Tasting Session
General: 4,000 yen / Student discount: 3,500 yen (limited to students 20-25 years old)
③ Japanese Sake Seminar
- Website: https://sakefair.com/
Forest Beer Garden (September)
Source:PR TIMES
This is an outdoor beer garden that opens annually from April to September at the nature-rich Jingu Gaien. It offers 1,000 outdoor seats and features not only beer but also highballs, sours, and gourmet options such as barbecue sets.
The highlights of the Forest Beer Garden are its spacious atmosphere and lively ambiance. I actually visited the venue last September and was surprised by the rich nature of Jingu Gaien and the vastness of the space. There were seven types of beer with rows of beer taps, which made it fun to try different varieties.
When I visited, almost all 1,000 seats were filled, and I spent a very lively and enjoyable evening amid the laughter of many people. It's a recommended event where you can enjoy beer and Tokyo nights feeling the evening breeze. Visitors planning their Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 trip could easily include this in their itinerary for a complete Tokyo drinking experience.
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- Schedule: April 16 - September 23, 2024 (2025 dates TBD)
- Access: About 5 minutes walk from JR Chuo-Sobu Line "Shinanomachi Station" or Toei Oedo Line "National Stadium Station"
About 10 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro "Aoyama-itchome Station" → Inside "Niko Niko Park" at Meiji Shrine Outer Gardens
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.morinobeergarden.com/
Oktoberfest at Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu (October)
Source:PR TIMES
This event is an Oktoberfest held at the "LaLaport" shopping facility in Toyosu. At Toyosu LaLaport, you can enjoy six different types of German beer makers' beers and gourmet food, including Karmeliten and Paulaner.
The highlight of Toyosu Oktoberfest is that you can enjoy beer while viewing the beautiful Tokyo Bay and night scenery. Toyosu is a reclaimed area that continues to be developed. From Toyosu LaLaport, you can clearly see the beautiful night view of high-rise buildings and apartments, as well as the Rainbow Bridge spanning Tokyo Bay.
When I visited, the Tokyo night view and the beautiful autumn moon I saw while drinking beer were truly stunning. If you want to enjoy beer while viewing the night scenery in autumn, I recommend visiting the Oktoberfest at Toyosu LaLaport.
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- Dates: September 20, 2024 October 14, 2024 (2025 dates TBD)
- Access: Directly connected to Toyosu Station Exit 2b on Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
Directly connected to Toyosu Station on Yurikamome Line → Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu Courtyard Seaside Deck
- Admission: Free (food and drinks charged separately)
- Website: https://www.oktober-fest.jp/lalaport_toyosu/index.html
Oktoberfest in Jingu Gaien (October)
Source:Official website
This is a popular German beer festival held every October in Jingu Gaien. It's an outdoor event where you can enjoy nine types of German beers from German makers such as Zorlahof and Hofbräu, along with German cuisine like wurst and eisbein.
The charm of the Jingu Gaien Oktoberfest is that you can enjoy authentic beer in nature. Jingu Gaien is a vast park with rich nature despite being in the middle of Tokyo. It's one of my favorite places, and at this event, I could leisurely enjoy beer and other alcoholic beverages at tables set up on comfortable grass, surrounded by greenery.
There were plenty of choices besides beer, including fruit sours. If you want to enjoy both Tokyo's nature and alcoholic beverages, I recommend visiting the Oktoberfest in Jingu Gaien in October.
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- Dates: Usually around October 11 October 31 (2025 dates TBD)
- Access: 5-minute walk from National Stadium Station [A1] → Jingu Gaien General Sports Field
- Admission: 1,000 yen
- Website: https://www.oktober-fest.jp/jingu_gaien/index.html
Liquor Store Standing Bar Festival (November)
Source:Official website
At this event, liquor stores gather and set up booths in Ueno Park, a popular spot in Taito Ward. You can enjoy sake, wine, beer, and delicious food.
The appeal of the Liquor Store Standing Bar Festival is that you can enjoy distinctive sake and alcoholic beverages. Liquor stores from all over Japan gather and sell carefully selected drinks. I particularly liked Okinawa’s awamori and the crisp regional sake from the Tohoku region, which is not easily available elsewhere.
By paying the entrance fee and purchasing tickets, you can enjoy standing drinks at various liquor stores for about 300 yen per glass. If you want to try sake and other alcoholic beverages from all over Japan, I recommend visiting Ueno Park.
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- Dates: November 14-16, 2025
- Access: 2-minute walk from "Ueno" Station on JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, JR Takasaki Line, JR Utsunomiya Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
1-minute walk from "Keisei Ueno" Station on Keisei Main Line → Ueno Park
- Admission: 3,500 yen (includes entrance fee + tasting tickets)
- Website: https://kakufes.com/
IWC Award-Winning Premium Sake Tasting Event (November)
Source:Official website
IWC is the world-renowned "International Wine Challenge." At the IWC Award-Winning Premium Sake Tasting Event, you can sample last year's IWC SAKE division champion and trophy-winning sakes. Visitors will be able to taste these premium Japanese sakes at this special gathering.
This event is highly recommended for those who want to experience world-class Japanese sake that has been recognized by international standards. The IWC SAKE division has 10 categories, including "Standard Sake" and "Junmai Sake." At this event, you can taste all the trophy winners from each category as well as the overall champion sake.
This is a rare opportunity where sake breweries that produced the champion and trophy-winning sakes gather together. Don't miss your chance to purchase tickets and sample these premium sakes at the Tokyo Sake Festival 2025, where discerning audience members can appreciate the finest selections.
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- Date: November 2, 2024 (Saturday) (2025 dates TBD, information below is for 2024)
Sake Talk Session: 12:45-14:00
First Session: 14:00-15:30
Second Session: 16:30-18:00
Location: YUITO Nihonbashi Muromachi Nomura Building, Nomura Conference Plaza Nihonbashi, 6th Floor
- Admission Fee: Sake Talk Session & First Session (3,500 yen), Second Session only (3,500 yen)
- Website: https://www.kurasumai.jp/campaign/
SAKE PARK (Dates TBD)
Source:Official Instagram
SAKE PARK is an event held at MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya, a hub of youth culture. 33 sake breweries participate with booths showcasing their products. You can find craft sake with new elements added to traditional Japanese sake, as well as rare SAKE brewed in the United States.
The highlight of this event is that it's designed for everyone to enjoy sake, including young people and foreign tourists who might be trying Japanese sake for the first time. The Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 is expected to attract a diverse audience from around the world.
When I attended last year, the venue had a very open atmosphere, and the brewery representatives were friendly and approachable, making newcomers to sake feel comfortable. When I asked questions about the taste and production methods, they provided simple and easy-to-understand explanations.
If you want to experience sake in a casual and open environment, check the event schedule and visit SAKE PARK.
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Date: November 16-17, 2024, 11:00-18:00
Location: MIYASHITA PARK
Admission: Free entry, paid tastings
Website: https://sakepark.tokyo/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaBP0U3GjXkvyoOKoIzWR2U1pU9TfClAM0szSIJPpnHc7FfGjx4jE15mVU_aem_M3Z4O5tuilbY8PY4q6hGbA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sake_park/
Two Japanese Sake Tours to Deeply Enjoy with Expert Guides Explaining Its Appeal
Now, I'll introduce tours where you can enjoy Japanese Sake more deeply. Let's experience the charm of Sake with knowledgeable tour guides who have extensive knowledge about Sake culture and history, while enjoying meals and cooking experiences.
Wagyu Beef & Sake Pairing Foodie Tour in Ginza
Meet your guide at JR Shinbashi Station near Ginza, and head to a Japanese sake bar where you can sample various types of sake. Afterward, enjoy wagyu teppanyaki and explore the streets of Ginza, known as a high-end restaurant district.
On this tour, you can experience 30 minutes of all-you-can-drink sake at the first bar you visit. Try some of the more than 20 types of Japanese sake available. I tried it myself, and when you compare many varieties from sweet to dry to fruity, you'll clearly understand the differences in taste that you might not have noticed before.
The guide has specialized knowledge about Japanese sake and will teach you about brewing methods, characteristics of each sake, and their history.
If you want to visit sake bars in the Ginza area, where Tokyo's highest-level restaurants and bars are concentrated, please join this tour. The Tokyo Sake Festival 2025 will be featuring several of the premium sakes offered in this tour, making it perfect timing for visitors wanting to expand their sake knowledge!
- Meeting point: In front of the black pillar near SAZA Coffee inside Ecute Edition Shinbashi, at JR Shinbashi Station North Exit
- Tour area: Shinbashi, Ginza
- Start time: 17:00
Sushi & Sake Tasting Cooking Class with a Visit to Local Supermarket in Tokyo
On this tour, you'll first go shopping at a local supermarket with your guide. Afterward, at a kitchen studio, the guide will teach you how to make homestyle sushi. After completion, enjoy lunch with Japanese sake that pairs perfectly with sushi.
The tour provides four special types of Japanese sake that go well with sushi. The sushi you'll learn to make in the cooking lesson is called "maki-zushi." This is sushi commonly made at home, where you select various ingredients and wrap them with rice and seaweed.
Choose sake that pairs well with the sushi you selected and made. When sake and sushi are perfectly matched, they truly enhance each other's flavors.
Challenge yourself to make sushi and experience sake pairing with the guide. This hands-on experience is especially popular with audience members who visited the Tokyo Sake Festival 2025, as it allows you to apply your newfound sake knowledge in a practical setting.
- Meeting point: In front of Family Mart next to Gindaco at Exit 2 of Iriya Station
- Tour area: Iriya, Taito
- Start time: 10:00
