Highballs at a casual pub, neat whisky at a traditional bar.
Whisky is one of those drinks loved by people of all ages, I think, because its impression and the way you enjoy it can change dramatically depending on the occasion.
The whisky tasting event “Kurashiki Whisky Forum 2024” will be held at Kurashiki Ivy Square.
With 95 exhibitors, it is a fairly large-scale event.
We went to find out what this whisky event, bringing together distilleries from across Japan, is all about.
The information presented was current when this article was published in March 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What Is Kurashiki Whisky Forum 2024?
Kurashiki Whisky Forum is a whisky tasting event to be held on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
The first event, held in 2019, was planned to support recovery from the July 2018 torrential rains and promote whisky culture.
This will be the first time it has been held since the COVID-19 pandemic.
As with the first event, it will take place at Kurashiki Ivy Square.
A variety of booths like those below are planned, offering plenty to enjoy throughout the day.
- Corporate booths featuring companies that handle whisky and other alcoholic beverages
- BAR booths where you can enjoy rare whiskies and cocktails made by professional bartenders
- Food booths serving dishes that pair well with drinks
Distilleries from across Japan will be taking part, so you can sample and enjoy a little of each distinctive whisky.
And it sounds like you can enjoy other drinks at the venue, including cocktails and beer as well as whisky, so it should be easy to invite other people who enjoy a drink.
Some items at certain booths will be available for purchase.
There will also be seminars where you can learn about whisky while enjoying it and listening to talks by an impressive lineup of instructors.
For details about the booths and seminars, check the official website.
Merchandise will also be on sale at the information desk, including event-original tote bags and tasting glasses.
The festival bottles, made for this event with original labels, were apparently very popular last time, and some people even lined up early to get one.
Kurashiki Whisky Forum is finally back after the COVID-19 pandemic.
We spoke with Matsushita Tomohiro, executive committee office staff member, about what to expect from the event.
Interview with the Executive Committee Chair
Could you tell us how the event came to be planned?
Matsushita (honorific omitted)
The first event was held after Nagata Hiroto, who runs a liquor store in Soja City, came up with the idea of doing something to support recovery from the July 2018 torrential rains.
At the time, whisky events were popular throughout Japan, but there were no large-scale whisky events in the Chugoku or Shikoku regions. That’s when the idea came up to “hold a whisky event in Kurashiki.” Nagata became the chair of the first Kurashiki Whisky Forum executive committee, and the event got underway.
Since Nagata was from Soja City, he reached out to local liquor stores and bars familiar with Kurashiki’s restaurants, and the current executive committee members gradually came together. That was also when Nagata approached me. I think we were able to bring in so many exhibitors both last time and this time thanks to our respective networks.
We weren’t able to hold the event for some time because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but at last it’s back.
This event feels like a comeback after COVID. I hope it will bring more business to Kurashiki’s city and restaurants.
What are some highlights of this year’s event?
Matsushita
Many distilleries from all over Japan will be exhibiting again this time, so I hope you’ll enjoy sampling a little of the drinks that interest you.
Japan has traditionally produced shochu, mirin, brewing alcohol, and other drinks, so I feel that many of the people making whisky have experience in those techniques.
You’ll also be able to try rare drinks that are hard to find in Kurashiki, so please enjoy discovering what makes each distillery unique.
There will also be free open seminars on the day.
The instructors will include the chief blender from Sakurao Brewery and Distillery, a Hiroshima distillery that’s attracting attention, and a whisky ambassador from Nikka Whisky. You can compare drinks while listening to their explanations.
I think whisky can seem like a hobby for adults, but the seminars will be really interesting for people who enjoy it as a hobby. You can learn some specialized knowledge and, I think, enjoy whisky even more.
Registration for the open seminars will be on a first-come, first-served basis on the day, so if you’d like to take part, it might be a good idea to arrive at the venue early.
How was the response to the previous event?
Matsushita
We heard a lot of comments like “It was so much fun” and “Please hold it again.” Overall, I think it was well received.
Kurashiki has convenient transport connections, so whisky fans came from all over Japan, and many people also visited from outside the prefecture as part of a sightseeing trip. We saw plenty of local people, of course, as well as visitors from overseas.
Exhibitors at the previous event told us they were happy to have time to talk with customers at a relaxed pace. Since it’s a regional event, many visitors were new to whisky events, and it seems a lot of them listened closely to the explanations.
I hope everyone who comes will enjoy chatting with the booth staff, too. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Is there a particular atmosphere that comes from holding the event in Kurashiki?
Matsushita
As with the previous event, we’re holding it at Kurashiki Ivy Square, and the venue really has a wonderful atmosphere.
I think it’s a space where you can experience genuine hospitality, and there’s plenty of room to explore and enjoy the different areas.
If you walk from JR Kurashiki Station to Kurashiki Ivy Square, there are lots of sightseeing spots along the way, so I hope visitors from outside the prefecture will enjoy the journey to the venue as well.
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
Matsushita
I think this event will be enjoyable for anyone who likes alcoholic drinks, not just whisky. There are still so many drinks people haven’t heard of, and you might discover something new.
If you’re looking to find a bottle you love, come to Kurashiki Whisky Forum.
And at this event, please open the door to whisky.
I’ll be there making cocktails and waiting for you!
From the Writer
At first, the name “Forum” made me think it might be a rather serious event, but I was relieved to learn that it offers many different ways to enjoy whisky and is also suitable for people new to drinking.
At a bar or restaurant, you might hesitate to compare drinks because of the price, but at an event like this, you can enjoy a variety of whiskies without worrying about that, which is great.
Why not take this opportunity to experience the appeal of Japanese whisky, which has fans all over the world?
Kurashiki Whisky Forum 2024 Information
| Name | Kurashiki Whisky Forum 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, March 24, 2024 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Location | Kurashiki Ivy Square |
| Admission (tax included) | Advance tickets: 4,500 yen Tickets on the day: 5,000 yen *Some items at certain booths are available for an additional charge |
| Website | Kurashiki Whisky Forum 2024 Official Website |
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