Kanpai in NYC: 6 Ways to Toast World Sake Day
Celebrate World Sake Day at six different events in NYC
From Pairings to Parties, Here’s Where to Sip Sake This October
October marks the beginning of the sake brewing season in Japan, arriving just after the September rice harvest and leading into winter, the ideal time for fermentation. In 1978, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association officially designated October first as Nihonshu no Hi, or World Sake Day.
Here are six fantastic events in New York where sake lovers can raise a glass and say “Kanpai!” to the rich traditions of Japanese sake.
How will you celebrate World Sake Day?
SAKE DAY 2025 at Bin Bin Sake
29 Norman Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $10 - $15
Greenpoint-based Bin Bin Sake, a liquor store specializing in sake and natural wine, will host its second World Sake Day celebration.
Highlights
Tickets include admission, unlimited tastes of sake, a small ochoko (ceramic sake tasting cup), and a special discount at the bin bin shop for take-home bottles
Each sake being poured has been selected by the Bin Bin team in collaboration with its distributors, showcasing the team’s favorite products
Vendor market featuring incredible local art and Japanese crafts, as well as a food vendor and DJ
Go to Bin Bin’s Eventbrite page to purchase tickets.
Sake Revolution Podcast
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.-ish
6:00 p.m. – Taproom Opens
7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. – LIVE Sake Revolution recording
9:00 p.m.-ish – Taproom closes
Brooklyn Kura – 34 34th Street, Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Admission: $15
Be part of a LIVE studio audience recording of America's first sake podcast, Sake Revolution! Hosts John Puma and Timothy Sullivan will be live and in person at the Brooklyn Kura taproom and invite you to join in the studio audience.
Highlights
Interview and sake tasting with Byron Stithem, owner and master brewer of Proper Sake in Nashville, Tennessee. Guests will taste two kinds of Stithem's sake and explore his philosophy and point of view on the making of his unique and delicious brand.
Audience members will be able to submit questions to be answered live during the broadcast
Purchase tickets at Brooklyn Kura’s website. Admission includes admission for one, plus two tasting pours of sake. Snacks and additional sake will be available for purchase.
World Sake Day NYC
Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
The W Loft Rooftop – 240 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Admission: $65
The mission of World Sake Day NYC is to elevate awareness and appreciation of the rich history, dedicated people, and vibrant culture behind Japanese craft sake. This annual event brings guests face-to-face with the artisans and experts of the sake world, offering a unique opportunity to taste, learn, and connect directly with the makers of this traditional beverage.
Highlights
Premium sakes from more than 30 Japan and US breweries
Admission includes 15 tasting tickets, souvenir sake glass, and tote bag
Complimentary Bluefin Sampling Curated Japanese food vendors ($10–$20 per dish)
Meet Michelin Starred Sommelier Steve Kim of Restaurant l'abeille
Original cocktail designed by award-winning bartender Takuma Watanabe of Martiny's
Exclusive catering of Japanese appetizers and snacks by Tabetomo
Installation art by Ikuma design
Portraits pop-up by Japanese artists Hiroshi Masuda and Remi Yamamoto
Asian artisanal vendor market with crafts, ceramics, candles and more
To see the complete list of participating brewers and to purchase tickets, please visit World Sake Day NYC’s website.
Kato Sake Works Sake Day Party
Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m.
Kato Sake Works – 379 Troutman Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Admission: Free (sake for sale)
Kato Sake Works, a small but mighty craft sake brewery in Bushwick, will celebrate World Sake Day with music, food, art, and a brand new sake. The event will serve as KSW’s official launch NY Jizake (NY Local Sake), a Junmai sake made with Akitakomachi rice grown by Great Joy Family Farm in Pine Bush, New York.
For more information, please visit @katosakeworks on Instagram or their website.
Sake Day Brooklyn 2025
Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura – 34 34th Street, Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Admission: $50
Since one Sake Day celebration isn’t enough, Brooklyn Kura is hosting a Community Sake Day at their taproom in Industry City.
Highlights
Premium Sake Tasting all night
Interactive Brewery Tour
Shizuku Drip: Taste freshly dripped sake
DJ playing all night
Raffles and giveaways for sake classes and swag
Food pop ups in the courtyard
There will be two rounds of tastings, each featuring dozens of brands. Sake distributors will also be on hand to pour sake from all over Japan.
Premium Sake Tasting Round 1 – 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Dassai
Heavensake
Kato Sake Works
Komé Collective
Mutual Trading
Proper Sake
Sake Discoveries
Skurnik Wines & Spirits
World Sake Imports
Premium Sake Tasting Round 2 – 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura
Hakkaisan
Joto Sake
Kikusui
Niigata Sake Selections
Origami Sake
Wismettac
To purchase tickets, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.
SAKECON
Friday, October 10, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
The Mezzanine – 55 Broadway, New York
Admission: $85-$120
Round out the Sake Day (week+) at SAKECON, presented by Upstairs NYC, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting friendly relations between New York and other countries through cultural exchanges.
Highlights
Theme: All White – Dress in white (not required) as a nod to “shinpaku,” the snow-white center of sake rice
Ultimate Premium Sake Selections: More than 40 breweries and 65 sake
Free sample of Dassai Blue Sake Mille Crêpes by Lady M (while supplies last)
Mouthwatering Japanese food and special cocktails by NR (Food is available for purchase)
Japanese marketplace
Original sake glass that is yours to keep
Giveaway: Original Izak Zenou tote bag
Live Entertainment: DJ and LED Electric Violin performance by global artist Sarina The Violin Diva
Part of the proceeds will be donated to sake breweries in Ishikawa Prefecture, impacted by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Upstairs NYC’s website.
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Calligraphy Master Leads Workshop at Brooklyn Kura
Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!
Japanese Calligraphy Workshop with Rihaku Inoue
Sunday, September 28 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura – 36 34th Street, Industry City, Brooklyn
Admission: $109.96
Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!
This Sunday, Brooklyn Kura hosts a special afternoon of mindfulness, calligraphy, sake, and sushi in collaboration with Japanese Calligraphy Master RIHAKU.
Welcome the season of early autumn through brush, ink, and flavor. The theme of this workshop is the Zen-inspired phrase: 「ひと葉落ちて 秋を知る」Hitoha ochite Aki wo shiru. (When a single leaf falls, the world senses the coming of autumn.)
Guided by RIHAKU, participants will slow down, align breath with brush, and experience the meditative rhythm of Japanese calligraphy. Writing this seasonal phrase becomes a practice of mindfulness—quieting the mind, noticing subtle transitions, and embracing the present moment.
RIHAKU (center, in kimono) leads a calligraphy workshop at Brooklyn Kura
Each guest will create their own unique piece on traditional Japanese washi paper, to be taken home as a personal keepsake of calm and clarity.
This mindful journey will be paired with a tasting of Brooklyn Kura’s premium sake, along with casual futomaki rolls and inari prepared by Sushi Chef Yoshihiko Kousaka. His simple yet refined sushi will complement the spirit of the workshop, grounding the senses in flavor and seasonality.
To register, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.
About Rihaku Inoue
Rihaku is a New York–based Japanese calligraphy artist and founder of RIHAKU New York. She pioneers “3D Calligraphy,” blending classical brush techniques with projection mapping and VR. She has collaborated with Michelin-starred restaurants, cultural institutions, Brooklyn Kura, and in 2025 she led a mindful calligraphy workshop sponsored by JP Morgan. Her large-scale calligraphy performance at Japan’s Todaiji National Temple garnered national media coverage. Her mission is to share the timeless spirit of Japanese calligraphy across cultures, fusing tradition with innovation. Follow her on Instagram at @rierihaku.
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Dassai Sake Series Continues at Japan Society
Dassai Sake Series at Japan Society: Conversation with Dassai Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki, entrepreneur and CEO of Benihana of Tokyo
Dassai Sake Series: Benihana and Beyond
Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m. (Please arrive by 6:45 p.m.)
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $45 | $35 Japan Society members
Join Dassai Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki, entrepreneur and CEO of Benihana of Tokyo, for a talk about the past, present, and future of both organizations. Both leaders will engage in a dialogue around the themes of “Challenge” and “Innovation,” discussing how they blend yesterday and tomorrow with the goal of rising to the modern world.
How are we defined by our history, and what is our obligation to it? What are the realities of the U.S.-Japan world today and new dangers and opportunities within it? Is there a future without innovation? How can one create change within a historic organization? And what are the needs to create real revolution? Japan Society invites you to spend the evening with Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki to hear their answers.
To purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.
About the Dassai Sake Series
The Dassai Sake Series is an ongoing lecture series pairing thought and business leaders from across the U.S.-Japan world together onstage with festive sake celebrations. The Dassai brand is built around the goal of bringing revolution to the sake industry, and the Dassai Sake Series is similarly focused on engaging conversations with U.S.-Japan leaders who have created their own revolutions—each concluding with celebratory networking receptions and kampai toasts to their success.
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Meet the Fukushima Sake Brewers in NYC
To introduce New Yorkers to the delights of Fukushima sake, the Fukushima government is hosting a free sake tasting at Union Square Wines & Spirits this Friday, June 13.
Free Sake Tasting – Meet the Fukushima Sake Brewers
Friday, June 13 · 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Union Square Wines & Spirits – 140 4th Avenue (between 13th and 14th Streets)
Admission: Free
Try sake of three top breweries from one of Fukushima Prefecture’s most famous brewing regions, Aizu.
For nine consecutive years, from 2013 to 2022, Fukushima led all prefectures in Gold Prizes at the century-old Japan Sake Awards. Sake from Fukushima is crafted with care and precision to bring out its refined flavor.
To introduce New Yorkers to the delights of Fukushima sake, the Fukushima government is hosting a free sake tasting at Union Square Wines & Spirits this Friday, June 13. Three sake masters are traveling from Fukushima to pour sake for New Yorkers: Nobuhiro Hosoi of Kokken Brewery, Koichi Suzuki of Akebono Brewery, and Nobuo Shoji of Yumegokoro Brewery.
There will be nine different brands from three different breweries to enjoy.
Featured Sake
From Kokken Brewery:
Kokken Yume no Kaori Tokubetsu Junmai
Kokken Yamahai Junmai
Kokken Daiginjo
From Akebono Sake Brewery:
Tenmei Funashibori Junmai Hiire Orange Label
Tenmei Junmai Hiire 1-year Aged Brown Label
Tenmei Bear Cup Sake
From Yumegokoro Sake Brewery:
Naraman Junmai Daiginjo
Junmai DaiginjoNaraman Assemblage
Naraman Junmai-shu Muroka Binhiire
Spend $50 on Fukushima sake and receive a masu cup! (Limited promotion; only 20 masu will be available during the event.) Enjoy a 10% discount on all Fukushima sake on the day of the tastings.
Walk-ins are welcome but RSVPs are appreciated. Please visit the Fukushima government’s Eventbrite page to RSVP.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Celebrate Sake at NYC’s Largest Tasting Event
Join the world’s largest sake tasting in NYC on April 10, 2024! Sample 587 premium sakes & enjoy bites from top restaurants. Get tickets now!
The Joy of Sake
Thursday, April 10 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion – 125 W. 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
Admission: $130
The Joy of Sake, the world’s largest sake tasting outside Japan, returns to New York on Thursday, April 10 with a record 587 competition-level sakes available to taste alongside sake-inspired appetizers from top restaurants, including Sushi by Bou, BondST, Sakagura, Rule of Thirds, Sake No Hana, Sen Sakana, Towa, Yopparai, Zuma, and more.
The Joy of Sake, which originated in Hawaii, is the biggest sake celebration in New York’s history. 2025 marks its 25th global and 21st NYC event. Celebrating the ancient art of sake-brewing, The Joy of Sake is a walkaround tasting where attendees are able to experience the full spectrum of sake styles in the premium daiginjo, ginjo, and junmai categories from every sake-brewing region in Japan, including more than 350 sakes not available in the U.S. Sakes are grouped by style so attendees can explore each in depth, including recipients of silver and gold awards from the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, a rigorous blind tasting prior to the public event conducted by ten judges from the U.S. and Japan. This is an opportunity to sample bottles of the actual competition entries in excellent condition, both Japanese and U.S.-made sakes from local breweries like Brooklyn Kura and Dassai Blue in Hudson Valley.
In the belief that sake tastes best in good company with great food, sixteen of New York’s top restaurants are preparing original sake appetizers for the event. Heartier dishes, such as Marinated Snapper Bamboo Rice from Sakagura and Towa’s Umami Duck, go well with Junmai sakes, while seafood dishes such as Mishik’s Hokkaido Scallop and Pear and BondST’s Seared Cherry Salmon in Spring Pea Soup are delicious with many daiginjo labels.
Secure your spot for this one-night-only sake celebration by visiting The Joy of Sake’s website at www.joyofsake.com/newyork/. Which sake are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments.
Participating Restaurants
BondSt
Cha-An
Juban
Mishik
Rule of Thirds
Sakagura
Sake no Hana
Sen Sag Harbor
Sen Sakana
Towa
Yopparai
Zuma
About The Joy of Sake
The Joy of Sake launched in Honolulu in 2001 in conjunction with the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, a professional-level blind tasting and judging held under the auspices of Japan’s National Research Institute of Brewing. The 2024 Appraisal brought together seven expert sake judges from Japan and four from the U.S. in Honolulu for three days. The judges blind-tasted and rated each entry, with gold and silver awards going to those with the highest marks. The Joy of Sake is the public sampling and enjoyment of these sakes.
A non-profit organization dedicated to fostering appreciation for the ancient craft of sake making, its annual event is now the largest sake tasting outside Japan. More than half are ultra-premium daiginjo sakes, made from the innermost core of the rice grain. Every year, The Joy of Sake stages events in major cities, presenting hundreds of sakes, many not otherwise available outside Japan, along with sake-themed appetizers from top local restaurants in a lively festival setting.
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CELEBRATE SAKE DAY AT KATO SAKE WORKS
World Sake Day Party
Saturday, October 5 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Kato Sake Works – 379 Troutman Street, Brooklyn
Kato Sake Works, Brooklyn’s second sake brewery, is celebrating World Sake Day with an exclusive tasting, snacks, live music, and a limited-edition World Sake Day Junmai.
Schedule of Festivities
1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy a free sake tasting on the taproom floor
2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Build-A Bottle: Design your own custom Kato Sake Works label and take home an exclusive bottle of Jikagumi filled straight from the tank
2:00 p.m.
Food Pop-Up w/ Kemushi featuring onigiri all afternoon while supplies last
6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Live music with Uncle Brother
For more information, please visit KSW’s website.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
SAKE DAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES
World Sake Day 2024
Friday, October 4 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
The W Loft Rooftop – 240 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn
Admission: $65 to $80
Sake Lovers, Rejoice!
Get ready to raise your glasses and celebrate the rich traditions of Japanese sake! Upstairs NYC is teaming up with MIKA and Niji as World Sake Day by MIKA returns for its third year, offering an unforgettable sake-tasting experience. Taking place at the W Loft, this event will feature more than 50 premium sake selections from 25+ renowned brands. Immerse yourself in the intricate flavors of Japan’s finest craft sake and discover why this iconic beverage is beloved worldwide.
In addition to the tasting, enjoy a vibrant pop-up market showcasing the unique creations of talented Asian artists. This is more than just a tasting—it’s a sensory journey into the world of sake and Asian craftsmanship.
What Your Admission Includes
Tasting of 15 kinds of sake and sake cocktails
Original sake glass
Free sake and food sampling while supplies last
Explore Asian shop and food marketplace
Event Highlights
Ultimate sake selections: more than 70 premium sakes by 35 breweries, including many award-winners
Matcha sake cocktails by WESAKE X SENBIRD
Special sake cocktails designed by L'Americana and Midnight Blue owner and bartender Takuma Watanabe (from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.)
Offerings from Kochi and Ishikawa Prefectures
Mouthwatering sushi and Japanese cuisine delights
Asian Artisan Marketplace
Complimentary portrait drawing by UTGP2020 + MoMA contest award-winning artist Hiroshi Masuda
A premier rooftop space with elegant waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline
A dedicated photo booth where you and your crew can snap unforgettable memories
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Upstairs NYC’s website.
SAKE WEEK 2024 AT BROOKLYN KURA
Happy Nihonshu no Hi! The first day of October is celebrated as Nihonshu no Hi, or World Sake Day, officially designated by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association in 1978. Why October 1? October marks the beginning of the sake brewing season in Japan, perfectly sandwiched between the rice harvest in September and the beginning of winter, which is the ideal time for fermentation, the essential process in brewing the beverage.
To celebrate, Brooklyn Kura, New York’s first sake brewery, is hosting events not just today but the entire week! Visit the taproom at 34 34th Street near the Japan Village complex in Industry City, Brooklyn, to enjoy tastings and educational sessions.
Sake Week 2024 at Brooklyn Kura
Sake Revolution Podcast LIVE!
Today, October 1
6:00 p.m. – Taproom opens
7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. – LIVE Sake Revolution recording
9:00 p.m. – Taproom closes
Admission: $15 (includes admission for one, plus two tasting pours of sake)
Snacks and additional sake will be available for purchase.
John Puma (left) and Timothy Sullivan, hosts of the Sake Revolution podcast
Sake Revolution, America's first sake podcast will do a studio audience recording to mark the occasion of Sake Day. Your hosts, John Puma and Timothy Sullivan, invite you to join in the studio audience to laugh and sip along with them and experience Sake Revolution LIVE! On this very special Sake Day episode, they’ll be interviewing the master sake brewers of New York City: Brandon Doughan of Brooklyn Kura and Shinobu Kato of Kato Sake Works. They’ll explore their trailblazing journeys to producing premium sake in NYC. Both Doughan and Kato will each bring a sake for the audience to taste as they are recording, which is included in the ticket price.
In addition, audience members will be able to submit written questions to the tojis. This will be an engaging, interactive, and delicious podcast experience! The Brooklyn Kura taproom will be open before and after the recording to hang out, enjoy, and purchase additional sake and snacks to make your Sake Day complete!
Chizuko Niikawa Helton (center) of Sake Discoveries
Sake Caliente Warm Sake Night
Wednesday, October 2 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Admission: $70.77
Join this special evening of exploring all aspects of warm sake with Sake Samurai Chizuko Niikawa Helton! Niikawa Helton is a leading expert in preparing "okan" (warm sake), and you'll be amazed with the flavors, textures, and aromas that premium warm sake can produce.
All together you'll taste five premium expressions of warm sake, prepared with a delicious twist by Niikawa Helton. Each sake tasting is paired with a delicious small bite prepared by the Brooklyn Kura chefs as they launch our new fall menu. Go at your own pace and enjoy each course to the fullest.
The event starts at 6:00 p.m., but guests can arrive at any time before 8:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura's offerings
Exclusive Event for Kura Kin Members
Thursday, October 3
Brooklyn Kura will have a special evening of brewery tours and tastings offered for free, exclusively to their active Kura Kin members! Kura Kin is Brooklyn Kura’s subscription program for limited-release bottles.
At the special brewery tour, Kura Kin members can sip and taste steamed sake rice, Koji rice, Moromi fermentation mash, and even sake kasu along the way as the brewers dive deep into their brewing process. Members will also learn about “shizuku drip,” a special way to drip-press super premium sake.
Current Kura Kin Sake subscription members received invitations. Not a Kura Kin member? Join here!
The Birth of Sake Documentary Screening
Friday, October 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $16.33
Join Brooklyn Kura's first movie night as they screen the acclaimed 2015 sake documentary The Birth of Sake, directed by Erik Shirai and staring the staff and family of the Yoshida family, makers of Tedorigawa sake.
Your ticket includes entrance to the screening and a glass of Tedorigawa sake that is featured in the film! Special gourmet popcorn and additional sake will be available for purchase from the bar throughout the film.
Winner of Best Documentary Director Special Jury Mention at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival and Best Documentary Film at the 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival, The Birth of Sake is a cinematic documentary that reveals the story of passionate sake-makers and what it takes to make world-class sake at Yoshida Brewery, a 144-year-old family-owned small brewery in Ishikawa Prefecture. In a world where most mass-produced goods are heavily automated, a small group of artisans must brave unusual working conditions to preserve a 2000-year-old tradition. The workers at Yoshida Brewery are an eclectic cast of characters, ranging from 20 to 70 years old. As a vital part of this cast that must live and work for a six-month period through the brutal winter, charismatic veteran brewmaster Yamamoto (65) and the brewery’s sixth-generation heir, Yasuyuki Yoshida (27), are keepers of this tradition and are the main characters who bring the narrative forward. Currently, stiff competition and the eventual retirement of experienced workers intensify the pressure of preserving quality of taste, tradition, and brand reputation for Yoshida Brewery. As craftsmen who must dedicate their whole lives to the making of this world-class sake, their private sacrifices are often sizable and unseen.
To purchase tickets to any of the above Sake Week events, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.
American Sake Association’s Sake Day USA Sake Tasting Event
Saturday, October 5 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Admission: $75
The American Sake Association, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is hosting a sake tasting event at Brooklyn Kura to support their ongoing sake education efforts throughout the U.S.
Premium Sake Tasting
Taste sake from dozens of breweries from all over Japan. The sake will be flowing, and featured brands and varieties being poured will change every hour. Confirmed importers and brands include Mutual Trading, Niigata Sake Selections, Joto Sake, Hakkaisan, Kubota, HEAVENSAKE, Kato Sake Works, Brooklyn Kura, World Sake Imports, Kome Collective and MORE!
Culinary Delights
The tasting will also feature a great selection of food to pair with the sake along with the ever popular onigiri bar from SEN restaurant.
To purchase tickets for Saturday’s event, please visit the American Sake Association’s website.
Fundraiser for Ishikawa Sake Breweries
New Hope: Sake Tasting Fundraiser for Ishikawa Sake Breweries
Monday, February 12 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura – 34 34th Street, Industry City, Brooklyn
Admission: $108.55
The American Sake Association and Brooklyn Kura have teamed up to host New Hope: Sake Tasting Fundraiser for Ishikawa Sake Breweries.
On New Year's Day 2024, Japan was hit with a major earthquake. While several prefectures were affected, the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture was the epicenter. In total, eleven sake breweries were completely destroyed, and several others have lost their entire stock of sake.
To support the Ishikawa sake industry, ASA and Brooklyn Kura are organizing a sake tasting fundraiser to send donations to the Ishikawa Sake Brewer's Association. Assistance from these funds will go directly to the impacted sake brewers.
Event Highlights
Premium Sake Tasting:
Taste sake from dozens of breweries from all over Japan. The sake will be flowing, and the featured brands and varieties being poured will change every hour.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: JOTO SAKE | SAKEMAN | SKURNIK | NIIGATA SAKE SELECTIONS | WISMETTEC
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: DASSAI BLUE | MUTUAL TRADING CO | JFC | HEAVEN SAKE | KATO SAKE WORKS
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: WINE OF JAPAN | KOME COLLECTIVE | WORLD SAKE IMPORTS | SOTO | HAKKAISAN
Culinary Delights:
Delicious flavors from a variety of well-known chefs and restaurants will be available. Enjoy a range of tastes with dishes changing throughout the night. (Subject to change)
Chef Abe Hiroki – Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu
Taka Sakeda and Jihan Lee of Nami Nori – Hand Rolls
Chef Foo Kanegae of Karazishi Botan – Chicken Wings
Chef Masaru Kajihara of Ootoya – Sesame Tofu
Sen Japanese Restaurant – Onigiri Bar
Chef Chika Hanyu of C by C Pastry – Chocolates and Dessert
Assorted Japanese savory snacks for sake sipping
Behind the Bar:
Guest bartender Kenta Goto will provide cocktails throughout the evening.
Music: DJ Aki, Executive Chef of Tokyo Record Bar, will be spinning tunes.
Raffle:
The price of admission grants you one ticket for an exciting sake goods and experiences raffle. Win sake sets, sake cups, carafes, sake classes, tastings, restaurant dinners, artwork, and more! You can purchase additional tickets at the event for only $10 each.
To purchase tickets to the fundraiser, please visit ASA and Brooklyn Kura’s Eventbrite page.
The Impact of Your Donation
Ticket sales will be collected by the American Sake Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All profits from this event will be donated to the Ishikawa Sake Brewers Association, and these funds will directly benefit the impacted sake brewers of Ishikawa.
Ishikawa Breweries Affected by the New Year’s Day Earthquake
Matsuba Shuzo
Sakurada Shuzo
Tsuruno Shuzo
Hiyoshi Shuzo
Sogen Shuzo
Kazuma Shuzo
Shimizu Shuzo
Hakuto Shuzoten
Nakajima Shuzo
Nakano Shuzo
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Holiday Sake from Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Sake for the Holidays
Friday, December 1 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Minoru’s Sake Shop at Landmark Wine and Spirits – 208 W. 23rd Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
Admission: Free
Fukushima Prefecture has won the most Gold Prizes at the century-old Japan Sake Awards for nine years in a row. Sake from Fukushima is created with unmatched craftsmanship and the finest taste. While famous in Japan, Fukushima sake is still not well known outside the country.
To introduce New Yorkers to the delights of Fukushima sake, the Fukushima Trade Promotion Council is hosting a free holiday sake tasting at Minoru’s Sake Shop at Landmark Wine and Spirits in Chelsea
Tasting session participants will receive a 10% discount for purchases of Fukushima sake.
Enjoy Six Different Brands from Six Different Breweries
Minowamon Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo from Daishichi Sake Brewery
KEN Daiginjo from Suehiro Brewery
Odayaka Junmai Ginjo from Niida-Honke
NARAMAN Junmai-shu Muroka Binhiire from Yumegokoro Sake Brewery
Kokken Yamahai Junmai from Kokken Brewery
Lychee Nigori from Homare Brewery
Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are appreciated. To register, please visit the Fukushima Trade Promotion Council’s Eventbrite page.
A Unique Stay at Henn na Hotel
A Blend of Quirkiness and Comfort in Midtown’s Garment District
Noted for its animated dinosaur in the lobby, Henn na Hotel in Midtown Manhattan stands out as a unique and inviting space, perfectly situated near Herald Square and Penn Station. This boutique hotel with 92 rooms offers an intimate atmosphere and excellent customer service.
Henn na Hotel’s dinosaur
Prime Location for Anime Enthusiasts
If you're planning to attend Anime NYC from November 17 through November 19, Henn na Hotel's proximity to the Javits Center is ideal. The convenience of being only a 17-minute walk away from the venue makes it the perfect accommodation choice for those looking to maximize their time at the con. Plus, the Japanese-inspired amenities will keep the spirit of Anime NYC throughout your stay.
A Peek into a suite on the 18th Floor
Full disclosure: Henn na Hotel offered me a stay in one of their suites on the 18th floor for an honest review.
The suite décor is minimalist but still exudes comfort, featuring a plush, king-sized bed that promised a restful night's sleep. The pull-out couch and an extra pillow and duvet in the closet are great if you’re staying with a group. The room has a desk and complimentary WiFi, perfect for posting your Anime NYC reels to Instagram at the end of the day.
One distinctive touch is the shoji screen-like doors that separate the bedroom from the sitting area, providing an authentic touch of Japanese design. The suite also boasts modern amenities that epitomize luxury and innovation, including TVs in both spaces, a fridge, a deep soaking tub, and—the pièce de resistance—the Toto toilet.
A highlight of the suite is the LG Styler steam closet, a fascinating addition that sanitizes, deodorizes, and freshens clothes without chemicals. I couldn't resist testing my jacket in the cool infrared lighting.
While the suite has ample outdoor space, it’s worth noting that there’s no outdoor furniture. Despite this, the opportunity to step outside and get a breath of fresh air was a nice experience.
Dining Delights at Gosuke Restaurant
For a taste of Japan without leaving the hotel, Gosuke Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience. For the sushi lover, the menu features a reasonably priced omakase option as well as a variety of Japanese comfort dishes such as katsu curry and sukiyaki.
During my visit, I opted for the shrimp shumai, a vegetable roll, and a piece of hamachi sushi. With an Orion beer to start and a glass of sake to finish, the meal hit the spot.
A Quirky Stay Is the Best Stay
The word henna (変な) means “weird” or “strange” in Japanese. While a hotel with a T-Rex in its lobby might not feel normal, Henn na Hotel seamlessly blends quirkiness with comfort, making it a standout choice for those attending Anime NYC or anyone seeking a unique stay in the city.
Henn na Hotel
235 W. 35th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001
212-729-4366
Hello@HennNaHotelNY.com
https://www.hennnahotelny.com/
IG: @hennnahotelny
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CELEBRATE WORLD SAKE DAY AGAIN!
World Sake Day
Friday, October 13 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Union Square – 31 E. 17th Street, 2F (between Broadway and Park Avenue South)
Admission: $35 in advance | $45 at the door
Sake lovers, rejoice! If you didn’t have enough sake on World Sake Day on October 1, you have another chance this Friday! MIKA is holding its third annual World sake Day, collaborating with Upstairs NYC and niji. Explore the world of Japanese craft Sake, discover delicious Japanese foods, support the Asian-own artist market pop-up.
About the Event
MIKA, Upstairs NYC, and niji are turning all 5,000 square feet of a premier, stunning space in front of Union Square into a World Sake Day celebration featuring a walkaround tasting that will give you the full sake cultural experience. Guests can try ten kinds of sake and receive an original sake glass. Additional tasting tickets will be available for purchase. There will also be a mouthwatering Japanese menu ranging in price from $10 to $20. Handcrafted accessories, candles, outfits, crafts, and more by small, Asian-owned businesses will be available for purchase.
To purchase tickets, please visit Upstair NYC’s Eventcreate page.
What Is World Sake Day?
World Sake Day is an annual celebration dedicated to traditional Japanese sake. Sake enthusiasts around the world come together every October 1 to honor the rich history and cultural significance of this beloved beverage, as it is the traditional starting date of sake production in Japan.
Past World Sake Day at MIKA Bushwick
About MIKA
MIKA was a lively event space in Bushwick that closed in June. They hosted artist pop-ups and sourced local products, including Bushwick-based beers, local craft sake, and Finger Lakes wines paired with American and Japanese cuisine. They established a GoFundMe to help support their former employees.
About niji
niji is a marketplace that serves as a bridge connecting Japanese artists with people from around the world. It was born from the desire to expand the reach of Japanese artists globally. They organize Japanese handmade Maker's Market events, where you can meet the artists in person, at various locations throughout New York. The next event is Sunday, October 22.
Their newly opened online platform, called ‘niji,’ lets you find amazing artworks from Japanese artists and Japanese-inspired artists.
About Upstairs NYC
Founded in 2022, Upstairs NYC is a non-profit organization based in New York City dedicated to promoting friendly relations between New York and its diverse culture. The organization focuses on fostering learning and community engagement across four pillars: arts and culture, lifestyle, technology, and food. Upstairs NYC regularly hosts panel discussions, experiential events, cultural celebrations, and socials.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!