The Yamagata Sake and Wine Fair

At the Yamagata Nihonichi Bishuken Fair (lit. “Yamagata: Japan’s Most Delicious Alcohol Fair”), enjoy a wide variety Yamagata-made sakes and wines. The local terroir can be thanked for creating characteristically crisp and fruity sake, as well as the abundance of locally grown fruit used to produce wine.

Yamagata was the first prefecture in Japan to receive a Geographic Indication (GI) for sake. Similar to the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) for champagne in France, GI is a status which certifies the method, reputation, and certain aspects of the sake, characteristics reflecting the terroir and brewing traditions of producing region. Read more about Yamagata sake here.

The 2023 event will be held on Saturday June 3 and 4; there are two sessions available each day. The sessions run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with last drinks being served 30 minutes before the session end time. 

Admission can be purchased beforehand for ¥3,000 for a pack of 10 tickets, or at the door for ¥3,500. Presale tickets can be purchased via Lawson’s Loppi ticket system (https://l-tike.com/order/?gLcode=22477, Japanese only). If the lack of English for presale tickets poses difficulty, we recommend getting tickets at the door (Please note there is a chance they may sell out.). 

The admission pack includes 10 drink tickets and water for you to cleanse your palate and keep you hydrated. The drink tickets can be redeemed for glasses of sake and wine; the “price” (in drink tickets) varies by maker and type. Additional drink tickets can be purchased at the venue in packs of 5 for ¥1,000.

More than 50 Yamagata wine and sake makers are attending this fair, making it a top opportunity to taste, compare, and enjoy the rich variety of sakes and wines Yamagata has to offer! In addition to beverages, signature Yamagata foods like imoni will also be served up.