Admission tickets go on sale August 26 (Wed)! A large-scale whiskey tasting event! "Whisky Festival 2026 in Tokyo"

Whisky Culture Research Institute (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Mamoru Tsuchiya) will begin selling admission tickets for "Whisky Festival 2026 in Tokyo," to be held on November 6 (Fri) and 7 (Sat), 2026, at Tokyo International Forum (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), starting at 12:00 PM on August 26 (Wed) via the digital ticketing system "CLOUD PASS."

For members of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, advance sales will begin at 12:00 PM on August 19 (Wed) as a member benefit, with a limited quantity of 400 tickets per session.

[Web Page] https://whiskyfestival.jp/tokyo2026/

About Admission Tickets

Admission tickets can be purchased by navigating to the digital ticketing system "CLOUD PASS" site from the ticket purchase button on the event's official website, registering the necessary information, and completing the purchase. General sales will begin at 12:00 PM on August 26 (Wed).

In the general sale, you can purchase up to 5 tickets for one session per application, and these tickets can be distributed. Multiple applications are allowed. It is also possible to purchase tickets for both sessions held on the same day and attend both, but you will be required to exit the venue completely during the transition between sessions.

For members of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, advance sales will be held from 12:00 PM on August 19 (Wed) to 11:59 PM on August 24 (Mon) as a member benefit, with a limited quantity of 400 tickets per session. The maximum number of tickets that can be purchased is one per person per session. Detailed purchase instructions will be sent to the email address registered as a member on August 19 (Wed).

Admission at the event venue on the day will be handled via QR code, and paper tickets will not be sent by the organizer. Please keep the "Purchase Confirmation Email" received after payment completion in a safe place.

Please note that for both general sales and member advance sales, in addition to the admission fee, a separate "CLOUD PASS" system usage fee will be charged.

*Photos were taken at the previous event.

Event Outline

Event Name: Whisky Festival 2026 in Tokyo

https://whiskyfestival.jp/tokyo2026/

Date and Time: November 6 (Fri), 2026 Premium Night 17:00-19:30

November 7 (Sat) Session 1 10:00-13:30 / Session 2 14:30-18:00

Variable 3-session system (complete changeover)

Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall E

3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005

https://whiskyfestival.jp/tokyo2026/access/

Admission Fee: Premium Night \3,500 (tax included), Session 1 / Session 2 \5,000 each (tax included)

Number of Attendees: Limited to 2,200 attendees per session (6,600 attendees total over 2 days, planned)

*Photos were taken at the previous event.

Tasting Seminars

One of the highlights of this event, the tasting seminars, will feature distinguished lecturers such as blenders leading the Japanese whisky industry, with a total of 5 sessions held on November 7 (Sat). The seminars will take place in the seminar rooms located within Tokyo International Forum Hall E.

[Seminars to be Held]

1. Date and Time: November 7 (Sat) 10:45-11:45

Title: Nikka Whisky's 90 Years of Cask Making

Lecturer: Hiromi Ozaki (Senior Blender, Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., Ltd.)

Details: Nikka Whisky celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024. During this time, they have created various casks while inheriting the DNA of Masataka Taketsuru. In this seminar, participants will enjoy learning about Nikka's cask making for the past and the next 100 years while tasting.

Fee: \5,000 (tax included)

*Admission tickets for Session 1 or Session 2 must be purchased in advance.

2. Date and Time: November 7 (Sat) 12:00-13:00

Title: Differentiating and Crafting Yamazaki - Focusing on Spanish Oak

Lecturer: Shinji Fukuyo (Chief Blender, Suntory Global Spirits Global Blending Lead, Suntory Holdings Limited)

Details: This session will focus on the differentiation and crafting of Yamazaki, with a particular emphasis on Suntory's commitment to and use of Spanish oak casks.

Fee: \5,000 (tax included)

*Admission tickets for Session 1 or Session 2 must be purchased in advance.

3. Date and Time: November 7 (Sat) 14:00-15:00

Title: Dissecting Akkeshi Terroir - Unraveling History, Climate, and Production Methods

Lecturer: Takuya Iwahashi (Blender, Blender Room, Whisky Business Division, KANATEN JITSUGYO CO., LTD.)

Details: Akkeshi Distillery began distilling in 2016 and is now in its 11th season. Since the autumn of 2020, they have released four products per year as part of the "24 Solar Terms Series," which will be completed with the August 2026 release. While adhering to traditional Scottish methods, they continuously strive for "consistently high quality and deliciousness" to allow everyone to enjoy the whisky nurtured by the rich natural environment of Akkeshi. This seminar, titled "Dissecting Akkeshi Terroir," will provide information on the "new series" as well as details on "history, climate, and production methods."

Fee: \5,000 (tax included)

*Admission tickets for Session 1 or Session 2 must be purchased in advance.

4. Date and Time: November 7 (Sat) 15:15-16:15

Title: 10 Years of KANOSUKE - Challenging the World from Kagoshima, the Past Journey of the Next Generation Japanese Whisky KANOSUKE, and the Brand's Next Decade

Lecturer: Yoshitsugu Komasa (President, Komasa Kanosuke Distillery Co., Ltd., Founder/Master Blender, Kanosuke Distillery)

Details: KANOSUKE's mellow whisky, born from the fusion of techniques cultivated over 140 years of shochu production and the rich natural environment of Hioki, Kagoshima. This session will look back at KANOSUKE's past decade, discussing the production techniques that create its unique character, described as the "taste of the sunset," its evolving flavor, and its growth as a brand. Furthermore, it will explore how KANOSUKE will challenge the world as a producer of craft Japanese whisky and as a member of the industry in the next decade. We will present KANOSUKE's current position and the future it envisions.

Fee: \5,000 (tax included)

*Admission tickets for Session 1 or Session 2 must be purchased in advance.

5. Date and Time: November 7 (Sat) 16:30-17:30

Title: The Dream of Floor Malting Achieved in Chichibu!

Lecturer: Yumi Yoshikawa (Global Brand Ambassador, Venture Whisky, Ltd.) and Yutaro Kobayashi (Production Department, Venture Whisky, Ltd.)

Details: Driven by a passion for whisky, we wanted to try floor malting. Starting with training in England in 2008, it's now been 18 years! We will trace our journey so far and confirm the flavors.

Fee: \5,000 (tax included)

*Admission tickets for Session 1 or Session 2 must be purchased in advance.

[How to Purchase Seminar Tickets]

First, purchase admission tickets for Session 1 or Session 2 on November 7 (Sat) for "Whisky Festival 2026 in Tokyo." Then, tap the application button for your desired seminar on the digital ticket to proceed with the application. Only one seminar ticket can be purchased per person. Even if you purchase multiple admission tickets, you cannot purchase more than one ticket for the same seminar. In this case, you will need to distribute the admission tickets to the attendees, and the recipients will need to complete the purchase procedure. Please note that in addition to the seminar fee, a separate "CLOUD PASS" system usage fee will be charged.

[Notes]

*Seminar tickets cannot be purchased with Premium Night admission tickets.

*Seminar tickets cannot be purchased separately.

*Purchased tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed or canceled due to customer convenience.

*Photos were taken at the previous event.

Sale of Festival-Exclusive Original Bottles

In cooperation with Japanese distilleries and importers, we will offer original bottles exclusively for this event. To apply, please purchase admission tickets and complete the application process via the digital ticket on your admission ticket during the application period. For bottles that exceed the planned sales quantity, a lottery will be held, and the bottles will be shipped via cash on delivery (cash only) before the event. Details about the original bottles and how to apply will be widely announced on the official website and via email to holders of digital admission tickets (purchasers and distributed recipients). All original bottles are special selections chosen by whisky critic Mamoru Tsuchiya (Representative of Whisky Culture Research Institute) after tasting numerous samples.

Exhibiting Companies (121 companies as of July 2026)

Bord Bia Irish Food Board / AQUA VITAE Co., Ltd. / Azumi Distillery / Asahi Breweries, Ltd. / Awa no Distillery / IAN MACLEOD DISTILLERS / ePower Co., Ltd. / Iseman Co., Ltd. / Whiskey&Co. Distillery Water Dragon / Whisky Specialty Shop Aiba Osaka & Tokyo / Eigashima Distillery / Eikorn Co., Ltd. / S.C.T. Co., Ltd. / Osake no Bijutsukan / Osuzu Mountain Distillery Co., Ltd. / Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / CASK&FOREST / Gekko River Distillery Co., Ltd. / Kanosuke Distillery / Kamui Whisky Co., Ltd. / Kanpai-kai / CAMPARI JAPAN Co., Ltd. / Kiuchi Brewery Yatsato Distillery / Kikai Distillery / KOKUZAWA TAMBA DISTILLERY / KIMURA Co., Ltd. / 963WHISKY (Fukushima Prefecture Nanbu Sake Brewery) / Kirin Brewery Company, Limited / KING's BARREL / Kuju Distillery / CRAFT WONDER / Ken's Choice Japan LLC / KANATEN JITSUGYO CO., LTD. Whisky Business Division Akkeshi Distillery / Komaki Distillery / Cordon Vert Co., Ltd. / COMPASS BOX WHISKY / Size Sake Hanbai / Sakatsu Corporation / SAKURAO DISTILLERY / Sake Hack Project Co., Ltd. / Saburomaru Distillery / Suntory Holdings Limited / Sanyobussan Co., Ltd. / James Eadie Yokohama Kimijima-ya / Shinanoya Foods Co., Ltd. / Jusan Co., Ltd. / CHOCOLATIER PALET D'OR / Single Cask Japan x Maaya Shoten / Shinzato Distillery Co., Ltd. Shuzaki Distillery / Sincere Co., Ltd. / Shindo Distillery / The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Co., Ltd. / Scotch Malt Sales Co., Ltd. / Takakura Distillery (Meiri Shurui) / Takara Shuzo International Co., Ltd. / Tamano Ascend Distillery / TARU HOLIC / Tankyu Distillery Co., Ltd. / Chitose Distillery LLC / Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. / DIAGEO JAPAN Co., Ltd. / T&T TOYAMA / Moltoyama / Tenkyo Distillery / Tensei Shuzo Hishida Distillery / Tokyo Craft Liqueur / Chichibu Reiwa Shokai / Tokyo Hachioji Distillery / Tunmel / Tomore Distillery / Toko Co., Ltd. / TORABHAIG Distillery / Nagasaki Distillery / Nagahama Distillery / Niigata Kameda Distillery / Nishishuzo Co., Ltd. Mitake Distillery / Niseko Distillery / Hiwashi Shoji Co., Ltd. / Nikko Kaido Oyama Distillery (Nishibori Brewery) / Nihon Shurui Hanbai Co., Ltd. / Nozawa Onsen Distillery / Bar wizard / BIRDY. / Highlander Inn Tokyo / Bacardi Japan Ltd. / Hanyu Distillery / Hida Takayama Distillery / Big Peat / Big Picture International Co., Ltd. / Hinokami Distillery / THE FACTORY SPIRITS / Brown-Forman Japan / Blue Link Co., Ltd. / Frontier Bussan Co., Ltd. / Helios Distillery Co., Ltd. / Venture Whisky, Ltd. / Benromach Distillery / Hokkaido Barrel Co., Ltd. / Bonili Japan Co., Ltd. / Honbo Shuzo Co., Ltd. Mars Whisky / Masahiro Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. / Miyake Honten Co., Ltd. Setouchi Distillery / Million Trading Co., Ltd. / Mint Bussan Co., Ltd. / MEIDI-YA CO., LTD. / Moët Hennessy Japan / Yabu Distillery / Yamaga Distillery Co., Ltd. / Daiwa Trading Co., Ltd. / yumarrest / Yusa Distillery / UniCask / Yokohama Smoked Kobo Co., Ltd. / Yoshida Denzai Distillery / Yonafull / Lag Distillery / RUDDER Ltd. / Lead Off Japan Co., Ltd. / Liquor Tanukichi (Sorashima Co., Ltd.) / Liquor Mountain Ginza 777 / Remy Cointreau Japan / Watanabe Shoten Co., Ltd.

*Photos were taken at the previous event.

About Whisky Culture Research Institute Members

This is a membership organization of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, and anyone can join. As a membership benefit, you can purchase event tickets, such as for the Whisky Festival, earlier than the general sale, and you will receive the only whisky specialty magazine in Japan, "Whisky Galore," as a member newsletter every other month (6 issues per year).

For other membership benefits and details on joining, please check the following web page.

[Web Page] https://scotchclub.org/admission/

About Whisky Festival

The Whisky Festival is a large-scale tasting event where whiskies and spirits from around the world gather.

Approximately 80 to 100 booths from domestic and international distilleries, manufacturers, importers, liquor stores, and bars will exhibit. At each booth, various whiskies can be sampled for free or for a fee, and food and goods that pair well with whisky can also be purchased. This event is open to anyone aged 20 and over, and is aimed at all whisky and spirits fans. The Whisky Festival began in 2007, and in addition to the regularly held "Whisky Festival in Tokyo" and "Whisky Festival in Osaka," it has also held themed events such as "Bourbon & American Whisky Festival" and "Bottler's Whisky Festival," as well as events in Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nagano, and Kiyosato in response to passionate local requests, expanding in scale each year. Since 2024, we have also been holding events under the title "Whisky & Spirits Festival in Yokohama," expanding the theme beyond whisky to include distilled spirits from around the world.

*Approximately 80% of the whiskies and spirits at the exhibition booths within the venue are free to sample. Some high-priced and rare whiskies will be charged. Food booths and merchandise sales are charged. Tasting items vary by exhibitor.

*Photos were taken at the previous event.

About Whisky Culture Research Institute

The Whisky Culture Research Institute is an organization dedicated to the promotion of whisky culture, headed by whisky critic Mamoru Tsuchiya. Since its establishment in March 2001, it has conducted research to deeply understand whisky and alcoholic culture both domestically and internationally, collecting and disseminating information. In collaboration with industry professionals, it has planned, developed, and implemented initiatives aimed at fostering whisky enthusiasts and consumers, and promoting whisky culture.

In addition to editing and publishing Japan's only whisky specialty magazine "Whisky Galore," and planning and operating events such as the Whisky Festival, it organizes the "Whisky Connoisseur Qualification Examination," a certification system that tests knowledge and appraisal skills related to whisky, and the "Whisky Examination," which tests knowledge for enjoying whisky. Furthermore, since 2019, it has also operated the "Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)," Japan's only competition for judging whiskies and spirits from around the world.

[Company Profile]

Company Name: Whisky Culture Research Institute Co., Ltd.

Head Office Location: Tech Hiroo Bldg. 5F, 1-10-5 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012

Representative Director: Mamoru Tsuchiya

Business Activities: Editing and publishing of Whisky Galore / Editing and publishing of Whisky Connoisseur Qualification Examination textbooks / Writing and supervising whisky-related books / Planning and operation of Whisky Festival / Planning and operation of Whisky Connoisseur Qualification Examination / Operation of Whisky Examination / Operation of Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) / Whisky manufacturing advice and technical guidance

Established: March 2001

HP: https://scotchclub.org/

Profile of Mamoru Tsuchiya, Representative of Whisky Culture Research Institute

Born in Sado, Niigata Prefecture in 1954. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University. After working as a weekly magazine reporter, he moved to the UK in 1987. He encountered single malt Scotch for the first time during a reporting trip to Scotland and became deeply involved with Scotch. After returning to Japan, he became active as a whisky critic and was selected as one of the "Five World Whisky Writers" by Highland Distillers in 1998. He served as a supervisor for whisky research for the NHK morning drama "Massan," which aired from September 2014 to March 2015.

He is the author of numerous books, including "Single Malt Scotch Taizen" and "Blended Whisky Taizen" (Shogakukan), "Masataka Taketsuru and Whisky" (Tokyo Shoseki), "Whisky Kanzen Bible" (Natsume-sha), "Business Kyoyo to shite no Whisky: Naze Ima, Koyu Whisky ga 2 Okuen de Urareru no ka" (KADOKAWA), and "Business ni Kiku Kyoyo to shite no Japanese Whisky" (Shodensha). His recent works include "Kanzenban Single Malt Scotch Taizen" (Shogakukan), "Mamoru Tsuchiya no Whisky Senya Ichiya (Volumes 1-5)," and "Japanese Whisky Yearbook" (Whisky Culture Research Institute).

He serves as the editor-in-chief of the bimonthly magazine "Whisky Galore," as well as the executive committee chairman for TWSC and Japanese Whisky Day, and the representative director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Whisky Culture.