Judging Session Held for “SAKE COMPETITION,” the Contest to Select the World’s Finest Sake

■ Some Hidden-Gem Breweries Have Achieved Sudden Success After Receiving Awards

The “SAKE COMPETITION,” one of the world's largest competitions driving trends in Japanese sake, was held again this year. The judging took place over three days, from May 12 to May 14, 2026.

▼ SAKE COMPETITION Official Site:https://sakecompetition.com/

The purpose of the SAKE COMPETITION is to introduce as many people as possible to truly high-quality sake available on the market. While some competitions feature special sake brewed specifically for the event to showcase technical skills, the SAKE COMPETITION requires that all entries be sake that can be purchased in stores.

The judging process employs a blind tasting method, in which the specific brands are not disclosed. This ensures that evaluations are based solely on taste, free from any preconceptions. As a result, every brewery has an equal chance of winning, and the top-ranked brands often sell out immediately. It is quite common for previously unknown breweries to skyrocket to stardom as a result of this competition.

In addition to the five categories for the 2026 competition—“Junmai,” “Junmai Ginjo,” “Junmai Daiginjo,” “SUPER PREMIUM,” and “Modern Natural”—a special “Awamori” category has been added to commemorate the planned reconstruction of the Main Hall of Shuri Castle in the fall of 2026.

■ Japan’s Only Sake Competition That Evaluates Its Judges as Well

The judges for the SAKE COMPETITION are all “elite members of the sake industry,” including technical advisors and brewery owners. This year, more than 1,000 sake entries from 367 breweries around the world were tasted.

The judging for this competition is exceptionally rigorous. The process consists of preliminary and final rounds, but if judges give differing evaluations of the same sake, they themselves face penalty points, and it is not uncommon for them to be removed from the judging panel the following year or later. With their own tasting abilities on the line, the judges’ expressions were utterly serious. The venue was filled with a tension reminiscent of a sacred ritual. Consequently, the level of trust in this competition is unparalleled, and it is also known as the only event where the legendary “Juyondai” is entered.

Under this strict system, one of the long-serving judges, Mr. Iwao Niizawa, Representative Director of Niizawa Sake Brewery, spoke with us after the judging.

“Overall, the quality and standard of the entries have improved this year, with many showcasing a lively effervescence. While there are still technical challenges to address—such as carbonation and fermentation control—I believe this trial and error is a sign of new initiatives. As for the judging panel, I hope to see more young people and women joining in the future.”

■ The Awards Ceremony and Celebration Party Are Open to the Public

The announcement of the final results and the awards ceremony for the “SAKE COMPETITION 2026” are scheduled for June 10, 2026, at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY (Minato Ward, Tokyo). The event is open not only to sake brewers and the media but also to the general public. Last year, approximately 300 people attended, and the venue was filled with a unique sense of anticipation and excitement.

Following the awards ceremony, it’s time for the party. Selections from the top 20% of sake entries across all categories will be served, along with dishes specially created to pair with the sake by the head chef of “Happo-en” (Minato-ku, Tokyo), a renowned long-established restaurant and wedding venue.

▼ Awards Ceremony & Celebration Party Ticket Sales Site:https://peatix.com/event/4764559

This is an extremely rare opportunity to witness the moment when the “finest sake” is announced, as selected by judges with advanced sensory evaluation skills. It is a must-see event for sake enthusiasts, offering the chance to savor exquisite pairings between top-tier sake—which has passed rigorous judging—and premium cuisine.

* This article is machine translated from Japanese to other foreign languages