[May 23-24] 2nd Sake Cheers! Okayama Local Sake Daytime Tasting Event - 19 breweries from Okayama Prefecture gather in the Bikan Historical Area! Enjoy encounters with local sake.

I want to enjoy alcohol in the middle of the day.

If you like alcohol, you may have thought about it once or twice, and when you realize it, you can experience a certain sense of guilt along with an indescribable satisfaction.

Introducing the "2nd Sake Cheers! Okayama Local Sake Day Drinking Grand Tasting" focused on enjoying local sake and snacks.

What is the "2nd Sake Cheers! Okayama Local Sake Day Drinking Grand Tasting"?

The "2nd Sake Cheers! Okayama Local Sake Day Drinking Grand Tasting" is an event where you can enjoy delicious sake from the afternoon, held on May 23 (Saturday) and 24 (Sunday), 2026.

The first event held in 2025 was only at Achi Space Plaza.
This year, in its second edition, the scale has expanded by adding Achi Town Plaza and Achi 2-chome Plaza, with Achi Space Plaza as the main venue.

As a result, the number of participating sake breweries has increased from 14 in the first event to 19.

The participating vendors by area are as follows.
Not only can you taste, but you can also purchase, and local restaurants will also participate, offering snacks and meals.

• Achi Space Plaza
  • Shiragiku Sake Brewery
  • Juuhachisakari Sake Brewery
  • Banzai Sake Brewery
  • Kumaya Sake Brewery (only on 5/23)
  • Marumoto Sake Brewery (only on 5/24)
  • Yamanari Sake Brewery
  • Murocho Sake Brewery
• Achi Town Plaza
  • Akaiwa Sake Brewery
  • Kikuchi Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd.
  • KAMIKOKOROSHUZO CO., LTD.
  • Morita Sake Brewery
  • Itano Sake Brewery
  • Tsujimoto Sake Brewery
• Achi 2-chome Plaza
  • Ochi Sake Brewery
  • San Kan Sake Brewery
  • Toshimori Sake Brewery
  • Heiki Sake Brewery
  • Hoshiretsu Sake Brewery
  • Miyashita Sake Brewery

Interview with the Okayama Local Sake Day Drinking Support Project Executive Committee

We spoke with Sakamoto Kazuaki and Nakamura Wajun from the Okayama Local Sake Day Drinking Support Project Executive Committee, who are planning and managing the event.

Please tell us about the background of planning the "Sake Cheers! Okayama Local Sake Day Drinking Grand Tasting."

Nakamura (no honorifics)

I work for Kurashiki Taxi, and it originally started from conversations within the company.

The biggest challenge for tourism in Kurashiki is "how to get people to stay in Kurashiki." The idea that if customers who return home on the same day drink alcohol, they might not be able to go home and would lead to overnight stays was the starting point.

Sakamoto (no honorifics)

This is a bit of a larger story, but with the declining population and aging society, I also want to use this as a catalyst for revitalizing the city. Kurashiki has a historical landscape, and by combining it with alcohol as a component, I hope to increase the number of people interacting, including inbound tourism, and contribute to economic revitalization.

What was the response to last year's first event?

Nakamura

Unfortunately, it rained last year, but many people still came to the venue with their smartphones in hand and cups in hand.

There are many core fans of sake, and I realized that "if we hold such an event, people will gather," and I strongly felt the need to continue it every year.

What are the highlights or points of interest for this time (the second event)?

Nakamura

The scale has significantly expanded from the previous time.

Last year, it was held in only one location with 14 participating sake breweries, but this time it has powered up to 19 breweries and 3 locations.

Participants will be able to enjoy the entire city by visiting the scattered plazas and local restaurants that are cooperating with us.

Finally, please give a message to the readers.

Nakamura

There will be a lot of delicious sake available, so I hope you will definitely come and visit.

There is a term in sake called "kamosu."
I hope you will experience the deep flavors of sake that are born from the combination of water, rice, and the heart of the maker.

Sakamoto

We want to continue this event into the 3rd and 4th editions, and eventually make it a signature event in Kurashiki that is incorporated into everyone's annual calendar as "this season is the Kurashiki sake event."

We will do our best to create a place where many people from across the country and the world can gather and enjoy交流, so please come.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we distanced ourselves from "nighttime dining and drinking parties," and before we knew it, it became the norm.

In exchange, if the situation allows, lightly drinking alcohol during the day has become a bit of a pleasure, and I feel that an event focused on "day drinking" is a timely sake event.

Of course, not only can you taste, but you can also purchase, so why not visit Achi Space Plaza around the Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki on May 23 (Saturday) and 24 (Sunday)?

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