San Diego Sake Festival marks 10 years with 100+ varieties at JULEP Venue

The San Diego Sake Festival returns Sept. 27, 2026, for its 10th anniversary at JULEP Venue in downtown San Diego, with more than 100 craft sake and shochu varieties, industry programming and cultural workshops. The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees and highlights the growing reach of Japanese sake in Southern California.

Why it matters: - The San Diego Sake Festival has grown into one of Southern California’s largest sake tasting events. - The 10th anniversary underscores rising interest in premium sake, shochu and Japanese cultural programming in San Diego. - The festival creates a direct link between Japanese producers and local restaurants, importers, sommeliers and consumers.

What happened: - The San Diego Sake Club will host the 10th annual San Diego Sake Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at JULEP Venue in downtown San Diego. - The festival is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees. - The event includes a morning industry tasting for registered professionals and an afternoon session for VIP and general admission guests. - The festival will feature more than 100 varieties of premium craft sake and shochu from breweries in Japan and the United States.

The details: - The morning session runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is limited to restaurant operators, sommeliers, importers, wholesalers and media. - The afternoon tasting runs from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for VIP and general admission attendees. - The festival will also include Japanese beer, curated food vendors and traditional Japanese cultural workshops. - Attendees will be able to meet visiting brewery owners and sake specialists from established producers in Japan. - The event will include the Kagami Biraki barrel-opening ceremony. - The festival is 21+ and requires valid ID. - Event support comes from meribiz Inc., with additional support from JETRO Los Angeles and the National Tax Agency of Japan. - Tickets and registration are available for the public and for industry professionals. - The festival takes place at JULEP Venue, 1735 Hancock Street, San Diego, CA 92101.

Between the lines: - The two-part format is designed to serve both business buyers and casual attendees, which can help the festival function as both a trade event and a cultural showcase. - The industry session gives breweries a direct route to local sellers and media, which could widen distribution and awareness beyond the event itself. - Founder Ayaka Ito said the festival has become “a meaningful bridge” between Japanese producers and audiences in Southern California, and said the 10th year reflects community support for sake and its culture.

What's next: - The San Diego Sake Club will continue promoting registration and ticket sales ahead of the Sept. 27 event. - Industry attendance may be verified at the door. - More information is available at the San Diego Sake Club, meribiz Inc. and meribiz on LinkedIn.

The bottom line: - The San Diego Sake Festival is using its 10th anniversary to scale up as both a consumer celebration and a business-building platform for Japanese sake in Southern California.