Sake Festival Singapore returns with over 600 labels and 40 Japanese breweries
Sake Festival Singapore’s 11th edition focuses on connecting consumers directly with master brewers from across Japan (Photo: Orihara)
Sake Festival Singapore will return on June 20 for its 11th edition, bringing together more than 40 sake breweries from Japan and showcasing over 600 sake and spirits labels at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Organised by Japanese beverage distributor Orihara, this year's edition is themed "The Masters' Return", reflecting the festival's focus on connecting consumers directly with sake producers, including master brewers and brewery workers from across Japan.
Since its inception in 2014, the festival has grown into one of the region's largest sake-focused events, reflecting Singapore's position as a regional hub for Japanese food, beverage and lifestyle experiences. It remains one of the few platforms where visitors can meet sake makers face-to-face and gain insights into the craft behind traditional Japanese rice wine.
Beyond the extensive tasting programme, this year's festival is placing greater emphasis on visitor experiences, with a new Workshop Arena, sommelier-led tours and expanded food offerings designed to appeal to both seasoned sake enthusiasts and newcomers.
Making its debut this year, the Workshop Arena will host complimentary sessions by brands such as Dassai, Suntory Toki whisky and glassware specialist SKLO.
Curated tasting sessions organised by consumer group Sake Bottle Share will also be held throughout the day, offering attendees a deeper understanding of sake appreciation, serving techniques and food pairing.
Visitors looking for a more structured introduction can join themed sake tours led by sommeliers, who will guide participants through selected breweries and labels across the exhibition floor.
Beyond sake, long-time festival partner Suntory The Premium Malt's will introduce five specialty beer serves, alongside Kaoru Ale and Master's Dream, which are typically available only at selected food and beverage establishments.
Suntory The Premium Malt's will launch five premium serves — Mliko, Pilsner, Sunset, Half & Half and Black Beer — alongside alongside Kaoru Ale and Master's Dream (Photo: Orihara)
Food offerings will also be expanded through the return of the Izakaya Alley, operated by chefs from the Tanjong Pagar Yokocho group. The collective of Japanese restaurateurs will serve a range of traditional izakaya dishes, including oden, karaage, California-style crab uramaki, anago stick sushi and other small bites.
Food offerings at the festival include oden (pictured), karaage, sushi and small sharing plates (Photo: Orihara)
The brewery lineup this year includes several well-known names, such as Dassai, Hakurakusei, Yukinobosha and Shimeharitsuru by Miyao Brewery. Many of these producers are recognised for their distinctive brewing styles and regional traditions.
Rare pours and brewery showcases
A key draw of the festival is the opportunity to engage directly with brewers from Japan while sampling labels that are rarely available outside their home market. Visitors can look forward to a range of brewery showcases and limited-release pours that offer insights into different brewing traditions and regional styles from across Japan.
Hakurakusei, produced by Niizawa Brewery in Miyagi Prefecture, is known for pioneering shokuchushu — sake designed specifically to complement food and enhance the dining experience.
Such styles have gained popularity among fine-dining establishments, including Michelin-starred restaurants.
Shimeharitsuru, meanwhile, is noted for its use of underground water sourced from the Asahi mountain range, contributing to a balance of richness and delicacy in its sake.
Visitors can also sample several limited and specialty labels. These include Azuma Rikishi's Cave Uroko 5, a blend of five cave-aged sakes that develops deeper umami characteristics through extended maturation.
Cave Uroko 5 boasts a blend of five cave-aged sakes (Photo: Orihara)
Another highlight is Kamotsuru Shuchu Zaishin Junmai Daiginjo from Hiroshima-based Kamotsuru Brewery, one of Japan's oldest sake producers. Founded in 1873, the brewery is known for producing premium ginjo-style sake using locally grown Yamadanishiki rice and soft water from the region.
Also featured is Yamakawa Mitsuo 2026, a collaborative project involving four breweries from Yamagata Prefecture. The sake combines contributions from multiple producers and presents a modern interpretation of junmai sake with a lighter, more approachable drinking profile.
Yamakawa Mitsuo is a collaborative sake project created by four breweries in the Yamagata Prefecture (Photo: Orihara)
Sake Festival Singapore 2026 will be held on June 20, from 2pm to 7pm, at Hall 403 of the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. The event is open only to those aged 18 and above.
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