Kato Yamada Nishiki Kanpai Festival 2026

Why You Should Visit

An outdoor sake tasting and sales festival in Kato, the heartland of Yamada Nishiki, the most prized sake rice in Japan. Twenty-one breweries from across the country bring sake brewed with Kato-grown Yamada Nishiki: Nada giants such as Kenbishi, Hakutsuru and Ozeki, celebrated out-of-prefecture names like Dassai, Masumi, Urakasumi and Daishichi, and local Kamimusubi Shuzo. Tasting them side by side shows how differently each brewery treats the same rice. A cask-opening ceremony at 10:30 comes with free celebratory sake, and the pop group Junretsu plays a mini live at noon. Admission is free; tastings, sales and local food stalls are paid, cash only. Free shuttle buses from stops within the city need no booking.

Programs

Timetable & Map

Participating Shops

Shop List & Map

Participating breweries listed on the Kato City page and the official festival site as of September 10, 2026. All pour sake brewed with Kato-grown Yamada Nishiki.

Essentials

location

Yashiro Central Park Stella Park (south of Kato City Central Library)

period

September 20, 2026 (Sun)

Time

10:00–14:00 (gates open around 9:15)

cost

Free admission (tastings, sales and food stalls are paid; cash only)

Links

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

Free shuttle buses (no booking needed) from JR Kakogawa Line Takino Station and three other stops in the city. By car, use the free temporary parking around Kato City Hall (no alcohol is served to drivers).

TICKETS / REGISTRATION

No booking needed for admission or tastings. Free shuttle buses from JR Shin-Sanda and Shintetsu Miki stations are reservation-only (first come, first served; tel. 0795-48-0995, closed Wednesdays) and are already fully booked for 2026. The 100 seats in front of the stage for the Junretsu mini live are allocated by online lottery from September 9 to 13; winners receive seat tickets. See the Kato City event page for details.

NOTE

Participating breweries (21)

Hyogo: Kenbishi, Hakutsuru, Tatsuuma-Honke, Ozeki, Kamimusubi, Honda Shoten, Yaegaki, Okufuji Shoji, Takara Shuzo Shirakabegura, Shimomura Shuzoten
Kyoto: Tamanohikari, Gekkeikan, Matsumoto Shuzo, Kinoshita Shuzo
Other prefectures: Yamachu Honke, Miyasaka Brewing, Sohomare, Dassai (Asahi Shuzo), Saura, Daishichi, Hatsukame (first appearance in 2026)

At the venue

Tastings and sales by each brewery, local food stalls, sake-cup vendors
Payment is cash only as a rule
No Junretsu merchandise is sold
Suggested items: drinking water, towel, hat, picnic sheet, a tray for tasting cups, cash

Notes

No alcohol is served to anyone arriving by car or bicycle
No alcohol for anyone under 20
Saving spots outside the dining area is not allowed
Entry may be restricted when crowded
Held except in severe weather; cancellations are announced on the Kato City website

*Contents and times are subject to change

FAQ

Is there an admission fee or booking?

Admission is free and no booking is needed. Tastings, sales and food stalls are paid, cash only as a rule. Gates open around 9:15, and entry may be restricted when crowded.

Can I drive there?

Free temporary parking is available around Kato City Hall, but no alcohol is served to anyone arriving by car or bicycle. If you plan to taste, take the free shuttle bus from JR Takino Station or one of the other three stops in the city, or come with a designated driver.

Is it cancelled if it rains?

It is an outdoor venue, but the festival goes ahead except in severe weather. Any cancellation is announced on the Kato City website.

Can anyone watch the Junretsu live?

The mini live at noon is free to watch. Only the 100 seats in front of the stage require a seat ticket won in the advance lottery. Junretsu does not appear at the opening ceremony or the first kanpai, and no merchandise is sold.

Calendar

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