HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Tokyo Roppongi This Spring, Taste Japan's Finest Sake in Tokyo! CRAFT SAKE WEEK Returns to Roppongi Hills

This Spring, Taste Japan's Finest Sake in Tokyo! CRAFT SAKE WEEK Returns to Roppongi Hills

• Written by: Timothy Sullivan

Date published: 14 April 2026

Sake lovers and foodies, it is time to mark your calendars! The world-class festival of Japanese culture, CRAFT SAKE WEEK 2026 with OMAKASE byGMO at ROPPONGI HILLS, has officially announced its full restaurant lineup. Organized by JAPAN CRAFT SAKE COMPANY under the leadership of Hidetoshi Nakata, this year’s event celebrates its landmark 10th anniversary with its largest scale yet. If you're at all curious about Japan's sake culture, this is one event you won't want to miss!

(This article may contain affiliate links)

Craft Sake Week has always been about discovery, and this year takes it further than ever. For 13 days, around 10 breweries appear each day, adding up to 130 sake makers selected from across Japan.

Following tastings of approximately 400 breweries conducted by around 200 experts, including famous footballer Hidetoshi Nakata, sake specialists, top chefs, and sommeliers. Only the finest breweries from across Japan have been carefully selected to take part.

When Craft Sake Week first debuted, it was Nakata's hope that people “can enjoy Japan's sake culture, find their favorite cup, and find their favorite brewery.” As such, only 10 breweries are showcased each day, allowing guests to not only enjoy a variety of sake flavors and styles but also chat firsthand with brewery representatives.

What makes it especially fun is the daily rotation. No two visits are the same. Stop by on different days, and you’ll encounter completely different lineups, flavors, and styles. As many brewers are also on-site, visitors have a rare chance to hear directly about their craft while tasting.

Each day is built around a unique theme. The opening day celebrates the 10th anniversary with sparkling sake, while other days spotlight next-generation brewers, creative craft sake, regional expressions like Setouchi terroir, and even “legend” breweries that have shaped the event over the past decade.

There are also days dedicated to rising stars, including a full lineup of first-time participants making their debut. It’s a great opportunity to discover emerging names before they become widely known. See the official website (https://craftsakeweek.com/en/) for a complete lineup of breweries.

The final day brings things to a peak, featuring some of Japan’s most coveted labels, including rare pours from Juyondai sake brand by Takagi Shuzo brewery. For many sake fans, this alone is worth planning around. Even if you are a newcomer to the world of sake, you’re sure to enjoy yourself thoroughly.

The food lineup is just as compelling as the sake. This year brings together 20 standout restaurants, including Michelin-starred names and famously hard-to-book spots.

Each restaurant serves dishes created specifically for the event, designed to pair with sake. But more than just great food, the lineup is structured to tell a broader story of Japanese food culture—how it’s built on tradition, shaped by ingredients, and constantly evolving through new ideas.

Across the event, you’ll find everything from refined Japanese cuisine to Italian, Chinese, and Korean dishes, all interpreted through a distinctly Japanese lens. Some menus highlight foundational elements like dashi, miso, and regional ingredients, while others push boundaries with modern techniques and unexpected combinations.

The final day is especially notable, featuring an all-star lineup of highly sought-after restaurants. These include acclaimed spots like TACUBO, L’Effervescence, and yakitori specialists from the “Torishiki ICHIMON” group, alongside refined Chinese cuisine from Fureika and a special collaborative team from the Ishikawa group. See the official website for the complete restaurant and food lineup.

To get started, you’ll purchase a starter set, which includes an original sake glass and coins used for food and drinks.

・Admission: 4,800 yen (includes glass + 14 coins)
・Additional coins available for purchase
・Bring your glass back on future visits and just buy more coins

With 14 coins, you can enjoy around 3-4 glasses of sake. This system makes it easy to try a wide variety of sake and dishes at your own pace.

If you’re only planning to enjoy food or soft drinks, you won’t need the official Craft Sake Week sake glass. Just purchase a set of coins, available from 12 coins (2,000 yen) to 100 coins (16,000 yen). Starter sets are also available for purchase online; see the official ticketing website for details.

Since its launch in 2016, Craft Sake Week has welcomed over 1.25 million visitors and grown into one of Japan’s leading food and drink events. More than just a tasting festival, it serves as a platform connecting brewers, chefs, and visitors, helping redefine how sake is experienced both in Japan and abroad.

With its rotating lineup, exclusive menus, and one-of-a-kind setting, this year’s 10th anniversary edition is shaping up to be its most memorable yet.

If you’re in Tokyo this April, it’s the perfect place to experience the depth, creativity, and future of Japan’s sake culture all in one spot.