Get ready for the ultimate celebration of sake, foods and culture of Japan.
Bringing together enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and curious individuals, the Australian Sake Festival is heading to Melbourne in July to celebrate the captivating world of sake, Japan’s traditional rice wine.
With its rich history and cultural significance, sake has found a growing appreciation in Australia, and this unique festival aims to showcase the best of this exquisite drink. The event, Sake Festival & Edo Digital Art Exhibition, will take place across two days, 1 and 2 of July at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne before heading on over to Sydney in October, celebrating all things Sake, Foods and Culture of Japan.
Australian Sake Festival 2023
- A Sake Festival & Edo Digital Art Exhibition is coming to Melbourne in July
- There will be over 200 varieties of Japanese Sake available for tasting
- The event is an all-ages festival to experience Japanese sake and traditional culture
- The Edo Digital Art Exhibition will also take place, focusing on the Edo period in Japan
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
A haven for those seeking new flavours and taste sensations, this two-day festival will be a celebration of all things Japanese with delicious food, amazing cultural performances and of course, sake.
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The event will have two main areas at the venue. The first will be an area dedicated to the Sake Festival, where visitors can fully taste Japanese sake and other alcoholic beverages. Sake breweries and sake makers from Japan will introduce their products, and there will be over 200 different types of Japanese sake available for taste and purchase on the spot. Various Japanese foods cooked by the local restaurants that accompany sake will also be available. Moreover, sake related products and selected made-in-Japan products will be available to purchase!
At the same time and at the same place, the Edo Digital Art Exhibition will also be happening, a special feature on the theme of the Edo period (1603 – 1867) in Japan. The digital screen will introduce the most famous Japanese art, Ukiyo-e paintings, the life in Edo, and the historical charm that began in the Edo period, all information-laden visual contents that are enjoyable for people of all ages. At this zone, Japanese traditional crafts, performing arts, fashion and other Japanese products will be on display and some of them for sale, as well as workshops for kids and adults.
There will also be Japanese drum (taiko) performance, singer, DJ, sword fighting performance, HANNANINGEN show, panel talks by Australian sake industry professionals and free Sake 101 seminars and food pairing sessions.
Tickets are on sale now. Your festival tickets will get you a tasting glass to keep; Sake brewers from Japan and local wholesalers to meet; 200+ sake to taste; variety of umeshu, yuzushu and other fruit liquor to taste; Shochu, Awamori and Whisky to taste; and access to Edo Digital Art Exhibition and Artwork display.
There will also be bottles available for take home purchase and foods (sushi, sashimi, wagyu, vegan & vegetarian Japanese foods) available for purchase.
The Sake Festival will take place from Sat 1 July – Sun 2 July from 10am – 4pm at the Queen Victoria Market (C-D Sheds). Find out more here.
