Added Japanese Craft Whisky Festa (held in March)
2026/1
Added Kyushu Distillery Festival SAGA 2026 (held in May)
Added Ricaman Whisky Messe (held in August)
Whiskey events held in 2026.
We’ll keep updating and listing them here.
For exhibitor and ticket information, please check the official websites linked for each event.
- Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2026 January 25 (Sun)
- Chichibu Whisky Festival 2026 February 15 (Sun)
- Japanese Craft Whisky Festa 2026 Sunday, March 15
- Japanese Whisky Stories Fukuoka Sunday, April 5, 2026
- Whiskey Station Hamamatsu 2026 Sunday, April 12
- Whiskey Harbor Kobe Held on Sunday, April 19
- Whisky & Spirits Festival 2026 in Yokohama April 25 & 26 (Sat & Sun)
- Tokyo International Bar Show May 9 & 10 (Sat & Sun)
- Kyushu Distillery Festival SAGA 2026 May 31 (Sunday)
- Whiskey Talk Fukuoka 2026 June 14 (Sun)
- Hokkaido WHISKY & SPIRITS FEST July 19 (Sun)
- Rikaman Whisky Messe August 22 (Sat)
Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2026
January 25 (Sun)
Held annually in January, this is a major whisky event kicking off the new year.
Ticket sales have already been announced, starting Saturday, November 1 at 10:00 AM.
The Nagoya event-exclusive bottles are also extremely popular every year, leading to a scramble for them.
Chichibu Whisky Festival 2026
February 15 (Sun)
The Chichibu Whisky Festival is held around February each year. Centered around Chichibu Shrine, it spans several areas and is a very large-scale event. Whisky enjoyed in the cold is truly exceptional.
Additionally, the “Chichibu Stamp Rally Bottle” event is currently underway, where participants visit the Executive Committee BAR, collect stamps (stickers), and apply.
Tickets typically go on sale around December each year, but they often sell out immediately, so be sure to act fast.
Japanese Craft Whisky Festa 2026
Sunday, March 15
An event focused solely on craft whisky, organized by the “Whisky Culture Promotion Association” (distinct from the Whisky Culture Research Institute led by Mamoru Tsuchiya). It primarily features whiskies, new makes, and new borns from distilleries across Japan.
An event focusing on craft over major brands. Many new distilleries also participate.
Japanese Whisky Stories Fukuoka
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Established to let people enjoy the appeal of Japanese whisky and distilleries.
Free open seminars and blind tasting contests for up to 20 participants will be held.
Whiskey Station Hamamatsu 2026
Sunday, April 12
An event hosted by the Hamamatsu Bartender Club in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Participating venues include bars and restaurants from the prefecture, along with distilleries from within and outside the region. Last year saw around 1,000 attendees indoors, with further growth expected. This year’s event is planned for an outdoor venue, allowing visitors to enjoy whisky and cocktails during pleasant weather.
Whiskey Harbor Kobe
Held on Sunday, April 19
WHISKY HARBOUR KOBE is a large-scale whisky event held annually in April in Kobe.
Importers, manufacturers, and producers from Japan and abroad participate, offering tastings at booths and seminars.
Whisky & Spirits Festival 2026 in Yokohama
April 25 & 26 (Sat & Sun)
Japan’s largest tasting event, gathering distilled spirits from around the world—whisky, gin, shochu, awamori, and more.
A wide variety of distilled spirits are available, and many booths allow direct bottle purchases.
Tickets go on sale February 10th
Tokyo International Bar Show
May 9 & 10 (Sat & Sun)
Japan’s largest bar event, held annually in May.
Not only whiskey and spirits, but also various original cocktails, flair and female bartender competitions, talk shows, and more. A large-scale, exciting event with a great atmosphere.
Kyushu Distillery Festival SAGA 2026
May 31 (Sunday)
Enjoy whiskies and gins from Kyushu distilleries, plus a variety of booths.
After thoroughly enjoying whiskey at the event, an after-party will also be held.
Whiskey Talk Fukuoka 2026
June 14 (Sun)
Kyushu’s largest whisky event, now home to numerous distilleries.
Seminars and limited-edition bottles are extremely popular, but the event also features a unique “Yatai Bar” (food stall bar) specific to Fukuoka. Here, blenders and ambassadors from each distillery stand inside the stalls themselves, serving drinks. This event, which brings attendees close to the producers, has gained significant popularity.
Hokkaido WHISKY & SPIRITS FEST
July 19 (Sun)
Hokkaido’s largest whisky festival held during the summer.
The number of booths and attendees increases every year, and the event is highly popular for its masterclass seminars and limited-edition bottles.
Rikaman Whisky Messe
August 22 (Sat)
A large-scale event attracting over 3,000 visitors in a single day.
In addition to numerous events like sales, lucky bags, and ticket giveaway campaigns,
VIP tickets grant access to exclusive lounges and tastings of rare, discontinued whiskeys.
