World Sake Day, celebrated every year on Oct. 1, marks the traditional start of the sake brewing season in Japan. More than a calendar milestone, World Sake Day honors the rich history, craftsmanship and cultural significance of sake—a drink deeply woven into Japanese rituals, cuisine and daily life.
Four years ago, Reiko Hirai, a Japanese national and owner of D.C. Sake cō, launched “Kanpai to Sake Day in DC”—the first celebration of its kind in Washington, D.C.—to invite the community to be part of this global sake tradition. Her vision was to create a welcoming space where both sake lovers and the sake-curious could explore an exceptional variety of sake styles, learn directly from expert brewers and sommeliers, and connect with one another in a warm, vibrant atmosphere.
One of the highlights of Kanpai to Sake Day in DC is that you can order sake through D.C. Sake cō with a special 10% discount so you can continue enjoying it at home. Kanpai!
$90 per ticket + tax
Taste 100+ diverse sakes and meet DC’s passionate sake community.Meet sake professionals, sake makers and DC’s passionate sake community.Enjoy bites from Love, Makoto, a Japanese culinary collection.
$145 per ticket + tax
11:00 AM - 4 PM
Be among the first to access presenters and tastes starting at 11 a.m.
Taste 100+ diverse sakes and meet DC’s passionate sake community.
Enjoy bites from Love, Makoto, a Japanese culinary collection.
Experience a VIP-exclusive, seated sake journey with Jessica Joly-Crane—sake expert and the first Miss Sake USA. Savor a wide variety of sakes from historic breweries and hear intimate stories she gained through the trust of the brewers themselves. Jessica’s warm, creative approach blends tradition with innovation, connecting flavor, culture, and community for a one-of-a-kind experience.
$210 per ticket + tax
11:00 AM - 4 PM
Be among the first to access presenters and tastes starting at 11 a.m.
Taste 100+ diverse sakes and meet DC’s passionate sake community.
Enjoy bites from Love, Makoto, a Japanese culinary collection.
Enjoy a VIP-exclusive, seated sake journey guided by IWA experts, offering deeper knowledge and cultural insight. Featuring IWA 5—an innovative Assemblage of rice and yeast—this experience explores bottle maturation, delivering extraordinary balance, paradoxical richness, and weightless elegance, all crafted to cellar with confidence for years.
About D.C. Sake cō
D.C. Sake cō is the Washington, D.C. area’s premier online shop dedicated to Japanese sake, shochu, and spirits. Passionate about connecting people to the rich culture and craftsmanship behind these drinks, we host events, tastings, and educational programs to bring sake beyond traditional boundaries and create an inclusive, sake-loving community.
