OSAKA SAKE SQUARE 2026

A sake tasting event held in central Osaka each autumn, bringing together breweries from across the Kansai region. It was set up in 2023 by the Osaka Sake Brewers Association together with the radio stations FM COCOLO, FM802 and ZIP-FM, with the aim of supporting the region's sake industry.

The event rests on a piece of history. Osaka was once called the kitchen of the country, and sake from across the Kinai region was gathered and drunk here. Osaka's own brewing was famous enough that its sake was shipped to Edo under the name kudari-zake, the sake that came down from the capital region.

The surrounding prefectures each have their own claim. Nara is where sake brewing in Japan is said to have begun. Kyoto and Hyogo hold some of the country's most significant breweries. Shiga grows sake rice and has the groundwater to go with it. The idea behind the event is to put all of that in one place.

Twenty-five breweries are taking part in 2026, offering more than seventy different sake between them.

Ten come from Osaka itself, five from Kyoto, four each from Hyogo and Shiga, and two from Nara. Three of the Hyogo breweries are appearing for the first time, among them two of the largest names in Japanese sake. One brewery attends on the Saturday only.

How It Works

Entry to the venue is free, but tasting requires buying a starter set. This gets you a wristband, an ochoko cup to keep, and a number of coins.

You exchange coins at the brewery stands for sake or soft drinks, and can buy more coins during the event if you run out. A smaller set is available for anyone who wants the cup without the coins.

Alongside the tasting stands there are stalls selling bottles to take home, though not every sake on offer is available to buy. Live music runs through both days, broadcast from the site by the organising stations.