The festival details below were checked on 16 September 2026. Coin prices, ticket contents and the exhibitor list can change, so please confirm the latest information on the official Japan Spirits Festival website before you go.
What the festival is
JAPAN SPIRITS FESTIVAL (ジャパン・スピリッツ・フェスティバル) is a weekend event built around Japanese distilled drinks. The idea is simple: make spirits from Japan easy to try, without committing to a full bottle first.
This year is the fourth edition. Earlier festivals were held at TOKYO TORCH park, but 2026 moves to a brand-new venue, the ground-level plaza of Otemachi Gate Building (大手町ゲートビルディング), which was completed on 31 July 2026.
More than 30 distilleries and makers take part, coming from as far north as Hokkaido and as far south as Okinawa. Some have won recognition at competitions in Japan and overseas. You can expect:
- Japanese whisky
- Craft gin
- Honkaku shochu (authentic single-distilled shochu)
- Awamori, the Okinawan spirit
- Rum, and more
One of the best parts is talking directly with the people who make the drinks. If you usually stick to one category, it is a low-risk way to find something new.
Dates, venue and access
| Dates | Saturday 26 September – Sunday 27 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 14:00–19:00 (doors open 13:45) |
| Venue | Otemachi Gate Building, ground-level plaza |
| Address | 1-1-16 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Admission | Free (drinks are paid) |
| Nearest stations | Otemachi Station (Tokyo Metro): 3 min walk Kanda Station (JR): 6 min walk |
The line-up is not the same on both days. Exhibitors swap between Saturday and Sunday, so if a particular distillery is the reason you are going, check which day it is pouring on the official site first.
Travelling in from another region? JR’s Aki no Norihodai Pass for three days of local trains and the discounted Tokudane Special 28 Shinkansen fares are worth a look before you book transport.
How paying for drinks works
Getting in costs nothing, but you pay for each drink with festival coins bought at the venue. One coin is ¥250.
At each booth you hand over coins in exchange for a pour. Most drinks cost 2 to 4 coins, with a few exceptions. The number depends on factors such as the alcohol strength and the retail price of the bottle, so a rare whisky may cost more coins than a gin.
Coins sold on the day:
| Coins | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 coin | ¥250 |
| 11 coins | ¥2,500 |
| 24 coins | ¥5,000 |
| 50 coins | ¥10,000 |
You can drink it the way you like. Options include:
- Neat (straight)
- On the rocks
- With hot water (oyuwari, a common way to drink shochu)
- Highball
- With soda or tonic, at some makers’ booths
You do not need to buy a glass. An original festival glass is on sale, and free plastic cups are also provided.
Advance tickets with a glass
If you plan to try several drinks, or you would like to take a festival glass home, the advance options bundle coins with extras. All prices include tax.
| Advance option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Glass ticket | ¥2,500 | 1 original glass 10 coins 1 glass pouch (worn around the neck) |
| Glass pair ticket | ¥6,000 | 2 original glasses 25 coins 2 glass sacoches |
| Advance coins | ¥2,500 | 11 coins |
Advance tickets are sold through the sales page linked from the official website. How long advance sales run and how many are available are not listed here, so please check the official site.
Tips for getting the most out of the day
Exhibitors change between Saturday and Sunday. Decide which day suits you after checking the list.
Try one whisky, one gin and one shochu or awamori side by side to taste the differences.
The people behind the drinks are at the booths. Ask how they recommend drinking it.
Spirits are much stronger than beer or wine. Small pours, water in between, and no driving.
Making a weekend of it in Tokyo? The ¥300 half-price coupon for Tokyo public bathhouses is a nice extra for another day of your trip, and the current Marriott Bonvoy points promotion may help if you are booking a hotel stay.
FAQ
- Q. Is entry really free?
- Yes. Admission is free. Drinks are paid for with festival coins.
- Q. How much does one drink cost?
- One coin is 250 yen, and most drinks take 2 to 4 coins. The number depends on factors such as alcohol strength and retail price, and some drinks are outside that range.
- Q. Do I need to buy a glass?
- No. An original glass is sold, but free plastic cups are also available.
- Q. Are the same distilleries there on both days?
- No. Exhibitors change between the first and second day, so check the line-up on the official website if you want to visit a specific distillery.
- Q. Where can I buy advance tickets?
- Advance tickets are sold through the sales page linked from the official website. Check the official site for the sales period.
- Q. How do I get to the venue?
- Otemachi Gate Building is about a 3-minute walk from Otemachi Station on the Tokyo Metro and about a 6-minute walk from JR Kanda Station.
Source: JAPAN SPIRITS FESTIVAL official website (checked 16 September 2026). Prices and details may change; please confirm the latest information on the official site.