Monday 5th May

Opening Party with Kagami Biraki at Kanpai Sake Brewery

Location: 48 Druid St, London SE1 2EZ
Time: 13:00 - 17:00
Ticket: Free
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-sake-week-kagami-biraki-ceremony-tickets-1311483104269?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

The ceremony will be followed by a guided tasting of four exceptional sakes, concluding with a relaxed networking session.

13:00 - 13:30 Welcome Drinks
13:30 - 14:00 Kagami Biraki
14:00 - 15:00 Sake Pairing
15:00 - 17:00 Bar open for networking

Spaces are limited, so please RSVP at your earliest convenience to secure your spot.

Sake Industry Training - Edinburgh

Location: Old Pal, Haymarket, 28 W Maitland St, Edinburgh EH12 5DX
Time: 13:00 - 14:30
Ticket: Free
Link: Contact - Fabio.disilvestro@gmail.com
 

Trade Sake tasting with WSET Level 3, Fabio Di Silvestro. This event is free to participate for all hospitality workers within the Scotland. To register, please email Fabio.disilvestro@gmail.com or on instagram @fb_dslvstr

Tuesday 6th May

National Sake Week Kagami Biraki and Hospitality Lunch - Midlands 

Location: Ramen Don, Regency Wharf, Birmingham B1 2DS
Time: 13:00 - 17:00
Ticket: Free
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-sake-week-kagami-biraki-opening-party-midlands-tickets-1318602879709?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us as we open a sake barrel with a traditional Kagami Biraki.

The ceremony will be followed by a lunch supplied by Ramen Don (at additional cost) and accompanied with a free glass of Masumi sake, concluding with a relaxed networking session.

13:00 - 13:30 Open

13:30 - 14:00 Kagami Biraki with Masayo Nuttall of Masumi Sake

14:00 - 15:00 Hospitality Lunch

15:00 - 17:00 Bar open for drinks/networking

Spaces are limited, so please RSVP at your earliest convenience to secure your spot.

Birmingham Sake Club - Tamagawa Pairing

Location: 45 Pinfold St, Birmingham B2 4AY
Time: 19:30
Ticket: £17.50
Link: https://www.kokushu.info/events

National Sake Week is all about celebrating Japanese culture here in the UK — and what better way to do that than with Tamagawa? This unique brewery is led by Japan’s first non-Japanese Toji (master brewer), the incredible Phillip Harper. Whether you’re a seasoned sake enthusiast or just sake-curious, this is your chance to discover and enjoy sake in a whole new way! We'll be trying a range of Tamagawa sake paired with snacks.

Tengu Sake Week Takeover @ Chisou Mayfair

Location: 18-20 Huntsworth Mews, London, NW1 6DD
Time: 18:00 or 20:30
Ticket: £149.00 (BSA members get 10%)
Link: https://booking.resdiary.com/widget/Standard/Chisou/60556

National Sake Week runs from 5th - 11th May and to celebrate we've teamed up with Tengu Sake and asked them to curate a very special evening of exclusive and exciting sakes paired with carefully selected dishes from our menu. Even more exciting, the venue is our new intimate 10-seater bar! Tengu Sake's Founder, Oliver Hilton-Johnson, will take guests on  a 2-hour tour of Japanese Sake, Shochu, drinking culture, history and much more! Eight delicious sakes - some seasonal and limited - will be paired with eight Chisou signature dishes. This exciting event takes place on Tuesday 6th May and Thursday 8th May with two sittings of 10 people each evening at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Seats will go fast for this Tengu Sake Takeover so be sure to secure your space.

British Sake Association X Sanjugo 

Location: 44 Hugh St, Pimlico, London SW1V 4EP
(nearest station: Victoria)
Time: 19:00 or 21:30
Ticket: £55.00 (BSA members £40.00 per person - includes free corkage for 1 bottle of sake!)
Link: 

Members https://pay.gocardless.com/billing/static/collect-customer-details?id=BRF001XN2AG10ADASEKEMXXC7NR7P18X&initial=%2Fcollect-customer-details

Non-Members: https://pay.gocardless.com/billing/static/collect-customer-details?id=BRF001XN281F0BT2DRCZD25JM1X560T5&initial=%2Fcollect-customer-details

In collaboration with the newest BSA sponsor: Sanjugo Japanese restaurant, the BSA invites you to share some sake over a delicious menu of sushi, sashimi, and other delicious Japanese fare, including izakaya favourites like karaage, gyoza, and more!

Members and non-Members sake social. For BSA Members only, free corkage for one bottle of sake is included in your ticket price — so grab a lovely bottle that you’d like to share, and go along to celebrate National Sake Week with like-minded sake lovers! Non-Members will be able to purchase sake from Sanjugo’s sake list, either by the glass or bottle.
Ticket prices includes all food. Glassware will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own o-choko should they prefer. BSA Members can bring one bottle of sake of their choice to the event if they desire - corkage for which is also included in their ticket. Non-members and guests can purchase sake either by the glass or bottle from Sanjugo.

Regrettably, special dietary requirements cannot be catered for on this occasion.

Tickets are strictly limited, and all purchases are final. If you have to cancel your booking after purchasing a ticket, a credit will only be possible if you/we can re-sell your ticket to another attendee. Thank you for your understanding.

The Sparkling Sake Brewery x Paxton & Whitfield Tasting 

Location: Paxton & Whitfield – Jermyn Street shop 93 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 6JE
Time: 18:30 or 20:00
Ticket: £58 per person
Link:  https://buy.stripe.com/dR63f88Qa3QV9CE144

Celebrate National Sake Week with a unique guided tasting led by sake and cheese expert Sarah Stewart at Paxton & Whitfield’s historic Jermyn Street shop. Discover why sparkling sake and cheese are a match made in umami heaven!

Enjoy four handcrafted sparkling sakes from the UK’s own Sparkling Sake Brewery:

Classic Awa

Nigori Awa (cloudy)

Berries Awa

Haru no Awa – co-fermented with Japan’s indigenous koshu grapes

All sakes will be expertly paired with seasonal cheeses selected by Sarah and Daniel Iliev, 2024’s Young Cheesemonger of the Year.

Only 12 spots available, book now to avoid missing out!

Wednesday 7th May

Sake For Wine Lovers

Location: West London Wine School, The Wine Cellars, Fulham, SW6 2SG
Time: 19:00
Ticket: £45.00
Link: https://www.localwineschool.com/west-london/sake-for-wine-lovers/

Sake is making waves on Michelin-star wine lists thanks to its complexity, versatility, and incredible food-pairing potential. With no tannins and rich umami depth, sake offers a whole new world of aromas and flavours for curious wine drinkers. In this tasting, our expert educator Sarah will guide you through six premium sakes chosen for their wine-like qualities — from vibrant aromatics and crisp acidity to long-aged sakes reminiscent of vintage port. Each sake will be paired with fine cheeses to showcase its unique pairing power. Perfect for wine lovers new to sake or unsure about past experiences — especially if you’ve only tried poorly stored bottles. Come explore this elegant and exciting category the right way.

Sake Industry Training - Manchester

Location: Kōdo Manchester, Well St, Manchester M4 2AF
Time: 13:00 - 14:30
Ticket: Free
Link: Contact - Sam@kokushu.info or loui.murray@washhousemcr.com
 

Trade Sake tasting with The Sake Events Company. This event is free to participate for all hospitality workers within the Manchester. To register, please contact @thesakeeventscompany on Instagram or email Sam@kokushu.info or loui.murray@washhousemcr.com

Sake Bar Takeover Kōdo Manchester

Location: Kōdo Manchester, Well St, Manchester M4 2AF
Time: 17:00 - Late
Ticket: Free
Link: https://www.kodomanchester.com
 

Join us at Kōdo Manchester for a sake battle between Kodo and guest bartender Samuel Boulton, author of "The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails." Each will design 2 cocktails for the evening to showcase how sake works in cocktails.

Hiro Sake Launch Tasting 

Location: 48 Druid St, London SE1 2EZ
Time: 18:30 - 20:00
Ticket: £35.00
Link: https://kanpai.london/events/2025/5/7/hiro-sake-launch-tasting
 

Join Kanpai Sake Brewery on Wednesday 7th May for a one-off tasting of their brand new limited edition sake launch!

“HIRO” – Tokubetsu Honjozo Genshu – Big, Bold, Powerful and Dry – sitting at 19% ABV and +11 SMV HIRO is not one to miss!

You’ll enjoy a welcome aperitif sake, plus 3 glasses of HIRO all served at different temperatures, some umami pairing nibbles and a digestif sake to round off the evening.

This is a limited ticket event – Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Albatross Sake Cult 

Location: Albatross Death Cult Newhall Square, Birmingham, B3 1RU
Time: 19:00 - 22:00
Ticket: £140.00
Link: https://www.albatrossdeathcult.co.uk

If you think you don't like sake, you just haven't drunk enough. Albatross Death Cult are on a mission to demonstrate the diversity of this often divisive drink. Every month Cam, their sake sommelier, hosts the Albatross Sake Cult, introducing guests to the complexity and creativity of sake. The Albatross Sake Cult tasting menu is seven (or more) dishes, plus a flight of five sakes, priced at £140 all-in.

They can offer an alternative pescatarian or gluten-free menu with advance notice. If anyone in your party has additional allergies or dietary requirements please contact them before booking.

Thursday 8th May

Kanpai Shochu Brewery Cocktail Party

Location: 48 Druid St, London SE1 2EZ
Time: 17:00
Ticket: Free
Link: https://kanpai.london

Join us at Kanpai Sake Brewery for a great introduction to Shochu cocktails on Thursday, 18th, featuring special guest bartender Samuel Boulton, author of "The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails." Experience the fusion of Japanese tradition and modern mixology with curated Koji-inspired cocktails.

Sake For Beer Lovers - Masterclass with Sarah Stewart

Location: House of JÖRO, 40 Malinda St, Sheffield S3 7EJ
Time: 18:30
Ticket: £102.00
Link: https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/jorooughtibridgemill/sake-for-beer-lovers---masterclass-with-sarah-stewart-5843066525728768

Join House of JÖRO in Sheffield for a fabulous sake pairing dinner! Sake expert Sarah Stewart will guide a small group of guests through a special selection of sake curated for those with a love of beer, alongside a casual dinner prepared by Chef Alex and the team from award-winning JÖRO restaurant. Sake and beer share a lot of similarities, whether you love a hoppy American IPA, rich stout or crisp lager, we will introduce you to some special sake styles you’re sure to fall in love with on the night and impart lots of infoabout Japan’s national beverage and its fascinating links to beer along the way. Sake and food pairing essentials will also be discussed – and the delicious food from the kitchen will demonstrate firsthand just how easy and delicious sake is to pair with food!

Tengu Sake Week Takeover @ Chisou Mayfair

Location: 18-20 Huntsworth Mews, London, NW1 6DD
Time: 18:00 or 20:30
Ticket: £149.00 (BSA members get 10%)
Link: https://booking.resdiary.com/widget/Standard/Chisou/60556

National Sake Week runs from 5th - 11th May and to celebrate we've teamed up with Tengu Sake and asked them to curate a very special evening of exclusive and exciting sakes paired with carefully selected dishes from our menu. Even more exciting, the venue is our new intimate 10-seater bar! Tengu Sake's Founder, Oliver Hilton-Johnson, will take guests on  a 2-hour tour of Japanese Sake, Shochu, drinking culture, history and much more! Eight delicious sakes - some seasonal and limited - will be paired with eight Chisou signature dishes. This exciting event takes place on Tuesday 6th May and Thursday 8th May with two sittings of 10 people each evening at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Seats will go fast for this Tengu Sake Takeover so be sure to secure your space.

Introduction to Sake! 

Location: Flesh & Buns Oxford Circus
Time: 19:00
Ticket: £35.00
Link: https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=159624&restref=159624&experienceId=466533&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

Have you always wanted to try sake, and never known where to start? Maybe you're a seasoned pro, keen to introduce your friends to sake! Flesh & Buns Oxford Circus will be hosting an informal event to celebrate National Sake Week. Pick a dish from each course of the Omakase menu, and they'll pair it with a delicious sake or sake cocktail. Ticket includes a Saketini cocktail, two 50ml sakes, three dishes and a scoop of Nikka Whisky ice cream for dessert! 

Friday 9th May

Tengu Sake Terrace Takeover

Location: JÖRO OUGHTIBRIDGE MILL, Main Rd, Wharncliffe Side, Sheffield S35 0LB
Time: TBC
Ticket: TBC
Link: TBC

BBQ sharing menu paired with sake from Oliver Hilton-Johnson of Tengu Sake. Showcasing sake by the glass plus some sake based cocktails by Samuel Boulton. This event is open to the public. 

Mai Sake X Tanabe Takeshita Launch Party

Location: Claridge’s Hotel Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Time: 17:00 - 19:00
Ticket: Invite only
Link: N/A

Mai Sake launches Tanabe Takeshita into the UK market. This event is invite only for PR and marketers 

Nigori 999 - Cloudy Sake Showcase

Location: 48 Druid St, London SE1 2EZ
Time: 17:00 - 22:30
Ticket: N/A
Link: https://kanpai.london

9 nigori sakes by 9 different producers on 9th May. If you're into your cloudy sake, this isn't one to miss!

All nigori sakes will be on a special deal down from £9 to £6 per glass! And to complement this textured style, to go with it, they'll have chicken karaage and cauliflower tempura in the kitchen.

No tickets but get in early as once the bottles are empty it's over! Please book a table to secure your space!

Saturday 10th May

Sake Scholar Course - West London Wine School

Location: The West London Wine School - The Wine Cellars, Fulham, SW6 2SG
Time: 10am - 5pm
Ticket CAD $1295 / GBP £730
Link: https://www.sakescholar.com/ssc-london-may-2025

Sake Scholar is an in-depth 3 day long course focused on all aspects of Japanese sake regionality, comprising three full three days of lectures, curated tastings of 30+ sake, and the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded sake lovers from the UK and Europe. We'll cover all 47 prefectures making up Japan and explore their history, geography, ingredients, and production techniques. The core body of knowledge covered in this groundbreaking course is crucial to understanding Japan’s key sake brewing and shochu distilling regions, and what makes these beverages so unique and interesting. Students will also become familiar with the most iconic sake and shochu producers in each prefecture. This course is suitable for serious sake enthusiasts as well as professionals working in the beverage or restaurant/hospitality trades, and will bring your sake knowledge to the next level and enhance your ability to sell, purchase or simply enjoy sake more deeply.

Japan FEST - Welcomes Asia

Location: Cromford Mills, Mill Lane, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Ticket: Free

Link: https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/event/japan-fest-welcomes-asia/

Japan Fest is taking over the Mill on Saturday 4th of May with a range of activities including Martial Arts demonstrations, Japanese arts and crafts, authentic handmade food. Look out for musical performances, Kimono Dress Up, Shopping and traders, plus much, much more. Bringing a small taste of Japan to Cromford Mills, with this action-packed free entry family event. Event presented in association with Otaku World. Visit their site for further information and a schedule for the day (published nearer the time).

Sake Tasting & Discounts @ Starry Mart

Locations & Dates:

📍 Starry Mart Canterbury Riverside

Unit 12, The Riverside, Sturry Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1BU, UK

📍 Starry Mart Colchester

143 Caelum Drive, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8FN, UK

📍 Starry Mart Fulham

396 North End Rd, London, SW6 1LU, UK

🗓️ In-store tasting on 10th & 11th May

🕚 Opening Times: 11:00 - 20:00

In celebration of National Sake Week (5th - 11th May), Starry Mart is bringing you an exclusive sake experience! Join us for free in-store tastings on the 10th and 11th of May and enjoy 25% off three premium bottles: Mio 300ml, Mio Clear 300ml, and Shirakabe Gura Junmai Daiginjo. Whether you’re new to sake or a seasoned enthusiast, it’s the perfect time to explore these elegant brews.

Sunday 11th May

Japanese Tea Ceremony Masterclass at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Location: Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR
Time: Morning Session 11:30 - 13:00 and 13:30 - 15:00
Ticket: TBC
Link: https://birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/event/japanese-tea-masterclass-11-05-2025/

To celebrate National Sake Week, Birmingham Botanical Gardens invites you to immerse yourself in the serene world of Japanese tea culture with our exclusive Japanese Tea Masterclass at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

 Your experience begins with a guided tour of our stunning Japanese Garden and National Bonsai Collection, led by a member of our expert horticultural team. As you take in the beauty of these carefully curated landscapes, enjoy a refreshing glass of Japanese green tea.

Following this, guest will step into the tea room over looking the Japanese Garden for a Japanese tea ceremony masterclass with tea expert Samuel Boulton. In this engaging and informative session, you’ll discover the traditions and rituals behind this timeless practice, culminating in the opportunity to savour an expertly prepared bowl of Matcha, paired with a traditional Japanese wagashi.

Sake & Music

Location: KONJÖ 1-4 KRYNKL, 294 Shalesmoor, Sheffield S3 8US
Time: TBC
Ticket: TBC
Link: TBC

Join us for Sake Sunday Sessions at KONJO—a unique experience where sake, food, and music come together. This special Sunday menu features expertly curated sake pairings that complement both the flavours on your plate and the beats in the air.

Hands-on Onigiri workshop - Hosted by O-nigiri Kome

Location: 48 Druid St, London SE1 2EZ
Time: 13:00 - 14:30
Ticket: £26.00
Link: https://kanpai.london

Join Kanpai for a fun and interactive Onigiri Class. You’ll learn how to make onigiri from scratch,  starting with how to wash and prepare Japanese rice, shape and fill three rice balls with different tasty fillings, and then finish by decorating them with cute faces to create your own edible art pieces.

Onigiri Class Includes:
3 x Onigiri & 1 x can of Kanpai Session Sake or soft drink from the Taproom bar.

Mai Sake X Tanabe Takeshita Trade Lunch

Location: Claridge’s Hotel Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Ticket: Invite only
Link: N/A

Mai Sake launches Tanabe Takeshita into the UK market. This event is invite only for trade professionals.