Here is our annual preview of whisky festivals to be held in Japan in the coming year. Contact us via Facebook if you would like more information.
There is an exciting addition: Kurashiki Whisky Forum (1st September).
The festival year kicks off with Nagoya Whisky Lovers on Sunday 20th January. Now in its third year, the festival has become renowned for bar booths thfull of rare scotch, bourbon and Japanese bottles.
You can drink the winter blues away at the legendary Chichibu Whisky Matsuri on Sunday 17th February. With seminars from industry heavyweights Yamaoka Hideo , Suzuku Toru and Japanese whiksy’s godfather Akuto Ichiro, along with a lottery for a single cask Chichibu bottle, this is one of the Top Three Whisky Events.
Kyoto Whisky Party will be held on Sunday 14th April.
The Tokyo International Bar Show, held on 11th and 12th May, has transitioned from a whisky to cocktail focus, emphasizing Japanese gins and global spirits. Exclusive whisky bottles, though, will be available to buy for early birds willing to line up.
The Osaka Whisky Festival will probably be held on Sunday 2nd June but has not been confirmed yet.
The second of the Top Three Whisky Events in Japan is Whisky Talk Fukuoka, Sunday 16th June, with so many producers, importers and bars offering outstanding whiskies. There is also a drawing for the right to buy single-cask Chichibu and Komagatake whiskies.
Kiyosato Whisky Festival in Moeginomura will be held on 22nd-23rd June.
The Shizuoka Craft Beer and Whisky Fair will be held on 27th and 28th July.
Okayama Prefecture will have its inaugural whisky festival this year. The historic city Kurashiki will host Kurashiki Whisky Forum on Sunday 1st September.
Two weeks later, on 15th September, the second Hokkaido Whisky Festival will take place in Sapporo.
The 9th edition of the Nagawa Whisky and Beer Camp will be held at Blanche Takayama ski resort in Nagano on 21st-22nd September. Plenty of whisky but no snow.
Note that Whisky History Osaka has been cancelled and will no longer take place.
Wrapping up the Top Three Whisky Events is the Tokyo Whisky Festival which will be held for two days: 16th – 17th November.
And if you fancy the short flight to Taiwan, check out WhiskyFair Takao on 7th-8h December.
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Japan Whisky Tours 