Join us for our annual April 1st Japanese Whisky Toast Day! Whisky sales will also be available!
Details on whisky sales will also be posted
Details are finalized for the 2nd “Japanese Craft Whisky Festa 2026” to be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at EBiS303 (Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo).
This event is open not only to bartenders and industry professionals but also to the general public of enthusiasts.
- 1. Overview
- 2. Event Details
- 3. Let’s celebrate Japanese Whisky Day together! What is the Toast Stage?
- 4. Japanese Whisky Day Toast Whisky 2026: Eigashima
- 5. Mamoru Tsuchiya and the Master of Whisky Discuss! The Current State and Future Prospects of Japanese Whisky
- 6. Fun Support! JWPC whisky Legalization Support Gacha
- 7. Tsuchiya Mamoru × Hombo Kazuto Collaboration Commemorative Bottle Pre-sale
- 4. Summary
1. Overview
The Japanese Craft Whisky Festa is a tasting event focused on Japanese craft whisky distilleries and their suppliers.
There are currently nearly 120 craft whisky distilleries in Japan, including those in the planning stages.
Recognizing the need to strengthen and enhance brand value to promote the domestic and international distribution of these craft whiskys, we have decided to hold a tasting event dedicated specifically to Japanese Craft Whisky.Booths for Japanese craft whisky distilleries, suppliers, and related companies are scheduled to feature up to 30 exhibitors.
At each booth, you can sample various whiskys, “New make spirits”, and “Newborns” for free or for a fee. You can also purchase bottles and goods not available on the general market.This event offers not only a pure enjoyment for whisky enthusiasts but also the opportunity to experience numerous “Newborns” and “New makes” – the “Babies of whisky.”
While some may feel a bit rough around the edges, such as having a higher alcohol content due to not yet reaching a certain age, it generally offers a rare and valuable experience that is hard to come by.It also offers opportunities to discover new distilleries and suppliers not found in the general market, potentially serving as a starting point for those considering entering the whisky business.
This event is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of people, including those who want to experience the process of whisky maturation and those who wish to support local businesses. This event is open to anyone aged 20 or older.
※Most whisky, “Newborn”, and “New make” samples at the exhibition booths within the venue are available for free tasting. Some items may require payment; please check at each booth. Note that food, bottles, and merchandise sales are paid. Tasting items vary by exhibitor.
2. Event Details
■Event Name: Japanese Craft Whisky Festa 2026
■Organizer: Japan Whisky Promotion Center (JWPC) / Whisky Culture Institute
■Operator: Whisky Culture Institute
■Date & Time: March 15 (Sun)
Part 1: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Session 2: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
*The above schedule is subject to change.
■Venue: EBiS303 Event Hall
1-20-8 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013
■Admission Fee: Conis Club Members or Whisky Culture Institute Members: ¥4,000 (tax included)
General Admission: ¥4,500 (tax included)
■Capacity: Limited to 500 people per session
3. Let’s celebrate Japanese Whisky Day together! What is the Toast Stage?
The “Japanese Whisky Day Toast Event,” held annually on April 1st since 2021,
will be held in conjunction with the “Japanese Craft Whisky Festa 2026” (organized by the Japan Whisky Culture Promotion Association) in 2026.
On April 1, 1929, Japan’s first authentic domestic whisky, “Suntory Whisky” (commonly known as “White Label”), was released. In less than 100 years since then, Japanese whisky has earned high acclaim worldwide.
The “Japanese Whisky Day Toast Event” aims to share the history of Japanese whisky’s birth, the efforts and passion of its pioneers, and the current global boom with as many people as possible.With this goal in mind, April 1st has been officially designated as “Japanese Whisky Day,” and we have held an annual event centered around a simultaneous toast both locally and online.
In 2026, the event will not be held on April 1st itself. Instead, a simultaneous toast will be conducted as the “Japanese Whisky Day Pioneer Toast Stage” within various sessions of the “Japanese Craft Whisky Festa 2026” taking place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
To mark this occasion, we will release the “Japanese Whisky Day Toast Whisky 2026: Eikegashima.”
4. Japanese Whisky Day Toast Whisky 2026: Eigashima
| Product Name | Japanese Whisky Day Toast Whisky 2026 Eigashima |
| Distilled/Bottled | June 29, 2019 / April 28, 2025 |
| Cask Type | Bourbon Barrel |
| Volume | 100ml |
| ABV | 61% |
| Price | ¥2,750 (tax included, shipping separate) |
|
*This product is a refill of the Whisky Culture Institute’s original “Eigashima 2019 5 Years”. |
Available for purchase at our online shop starting Monday, February 2nd at 12:00 PM.
Limited quantities will be sold at the Whisky Culture Institute booth on the event day.
Additionally, we will be offering a complimentary 10ml sample in a plastic cup to all attendees. We look forward to seeing you there!
5. Mamoru Tsuchiya and the Master of Whisky Discuss! The Current State and Future Prospects of Japanese Whisky
One of Japan’s 19 Masters of Whisky, the pinnacle of whisky expertise, will take the stage for a talk show with MC Mamoru Tsuchiya.
The Japanese whisky landscape is changing rapidly day and night.
Masters from various backgrounds, united by their shared passion as “professionals who love whisky and constantly pursue it,” will discuss it all.
No.MW005 Mr. Yuzo Ishihara
No.MW010 Kazushi Sato
No.MW013 Mr. Kuniaki Aoki
No.MW014 Mr. Masashi Matsumoto
＜Part 2 Speakers＞
No.MW002 Mr. Katsuji Suzuki
No.MW003 Mr. Koji Yashida
No.MW004 Mr. Hideaki Kurashima
No.MW008 Kazunori Shizutani
Additionally, a “Master of Whisky Booth” will be set up in both sessions!
Masters will offer tasting advice right before your eyes while providing samples.
Don’t miss this valuable opportunity!
6. Fun Support! JWPC whisky Legalization Support Gacha
Last year’s wildly popular event—sold out within 30 minutes of opening—is back!
This time, we offer two types: a ¥3,000 gacha and a ¥5,000 gacha.
You might even encounter bottles from Mamoru Tsuchiya’s private collection or rare bottles provided by JWPC manufacturer council members…?
Proceeds will be used to fund JWPC’s efforts toward legalization.
Please check our website for details.
7. Tsuchiya Mamoru × Hombo Kazuto Collaboration Commemorative Bottle Pre-sale
Mamoru Tsuchiya, President of the Whisky Culture Institute, and Kazuto Honbo, President of Honbo Shuzo Co., Ltd. To commemorate both turning 72 in February 2026 and their sixth shared year of the zodiac, they release a special collaborative bottle (Y.A.)!
This rare bottle will be available for the fastest pre-release at this event.
4. Summary
The MARS Yakushima Aging (Y.A.) collaboration from Honbo Shuzo is sure to be the most anticipated bottle at this event.
Since it’s an advance sale, it will likely be officially released later, but you’ll want to secure yours here.
