The Evolution of Brewers Reflected in CRAFT SAKE WEEK’s 10th Anniversary
130 Breweries Convene in Roppongi From April 17 to 29, 2026, CRAFT SAKE WEEK 2026 will be held at Roppongi Hills Arena in Tokyo. Spearheaded by Hidetoshi Nakata, the event marks its 10th anniversary this year. Spanning a record 13 days, it will feature an unprecedented gathering of 130 sake breweries from across Japan. What began a decade ago as a vision to share the depth of sake with a wider audience has evolved into a definitive celebration of sake culture, welcoming over 1.25 million visitors to date. Each day, a curated selection of roughly 10 different breweries takes the stage, accompanied by dishes from 20 of Japan’s most sought-after restaurants—an experience that serves as a microcosm of Japan’s rich culinary landscape.
“Sake Is Now in Its Golden Generation” At this decennial milestone, a poignant observation comes from Tatsugoro Takagi, the 15th-generation head of Takagi Shuzo, the esteemed brewery behind Juyondai. Takagi notes, “Sake is now in its golden generation,” pointing out how a younger wave of brewers is pushing one another to elevate overall quality. For many years, the sake industry focused heavily on volume. Today, however, even the smallest breweries are crafting distinctive expressions guided by their own meticulous philosophies and techniques. Active knowledge sharing and collaborative research—regardless of a brewery’s size or lineage—have raised the standard of the entire industry. The term “golden generation” goes beyond mere technical improvement. It reflects a continuous exploration across every stage of brewing, from rice selection and koji cultivation to fermentation control and aging. It embodies a distinct mindset: artisans who honor tradition while fearlessly embracing innovation.
A Space Where Architecture Meets Brewing Culture One of CRAFT SAKE WEEK’s defining features is its annual collaboration with prominent architects for venue design. In 2026, Shohei Shigematsu of OMA leads the project, creating a space inspired by the traditional Japanese noren curtain. The venue itself becomes an immersive architectural experience, designed to deepen visitors’ understanding of brewing culture.
The View from Bangkok’s Dining Scene In 2025, Japan’s sake exports reached approximately ¥45.9 billion, surpassing the previous year, with the number of export destinations hitting a record high. The export unit price of honkaku shochu and awamori also reached new heights, signaling a global shift toward Japanese alcoholic beverages being selected for their refined quality. In Bangkok, this shift is already taking visible shape. Sake is increasingly appearing on wine lists not only in Japanese restaurants but also in French and modern Thai fine dining establishments. More venues are incorporating sake into carefully curated pairing menus, with some even organizing staff training sessions to share the distinct philosophies and production methods of the brewers. What once began as, “We’d like to add some sake,” has evolved into precise requests such as, “We are looking for this specific label from this particular brewery.” The changes unfolding in Bangkok’s dining scene are intimately linked to the evolution of the artisans now referred to as sake’s “golden generation” in Japan.
Many distinguished breweries gracing CRAFT SAKE WEEK 2026 are the very same artisans whose creations are quietly reshaping Bangkok’s culinary landscape. The opportunity to engage directly with these brewers offers invaluable insight into the profound stories and philosophies behind every glass poured. The sake crafted by this golden generation continues to evolve—at this very moment. (Mr. Bacchus)
This article is intended solely to explore the brewing philosophy and cultural heritage of Japan’s sake industry and the CRAFT SAKE WEEK event, and does not aim to promote or encourage the consumption of alcohol. / บทความนี้จัดทำขึ้นเพื่อนำเสนอข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับปรัชญาการผลิตและมรดกทางวัฒนธรรมของอุตสาหกรรมสาเกญี่ปุ่นและงาน CRAFT SAKE WEEK เท่านั้น มิได้มีเจตนาเพื่อส่งเสริมหรือโฆษณาเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮอล์ สำหรับผู้มีอายุ 20 ปีขึ้นไป โปรดดื่มอย่างรับผิดชอบ