FUKUJU SAKE Cocktail Competition 2026: The Final Selection | May 17
May 8, 2026 (Kobe, Japan) — KOBE SHU-SHIN-KAN BREWERIES, LTD. will host the final selection of the 2nd Annual FUKUJU SAKE Cocktail Competition 2026 on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
As Kobe evolves into an international hub — fueled by the expansion of Kobe Airport and the arrival of major cruise ships — the city continues to attract visitors from across the globe. For many international travelers, experiencing Japanese traditional culture is a primary goal. Following the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation of “Traditional Sake Brewing,” global interest in sake as a symbol of Japanese identity has reached an all-time high. (Note: In this context, “sake brewing” refers broadly to the traditional production of all Japanese alcoholic beverages using koji mold, as recognized by UNESCO, whereas Kobe Shushinkan specifically specializes in the rice-based brewed Japanese sake — Nihonshu.)
Against this backdrop, Kobe Shushinkan — located in one of Japan’s premier brewing regions — is hosting this competition to introduce the innovative potential of Nihonshu to the world through cocktail artistry. The theme for this year’s competition is: “A signature Japanese cocktail embodying the spirit of Fukuju and the prestige of a world-renowned brewing region.”
Following a nationwide call for entries via Instagram, five finalists were selected in late April 2026. The final judging panel will be led by Mr. Kazuya Morisaki of “SAVOY hommage,” one of Kobe’s most distinguished bars. The event is open to the public, allowing guests to witness the finalists’ artistry firsthand.
Further details regarding the competition and the previous year’s highlights are available below and on the brewery’s official website and social media channels.
EVENT DETAILS
- Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 13:00–15:00
- Venue: Kobe Shushinkan Hall (1-8-17 Mikagetsuka-machi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe)
- Admission: Free (Capacity: 50 people / Prior reservation required)
- Reservations Start: Monday, May 11, at 11:00
- Website: https://www.shushinkan.co.jp/news/fukuju_sake_cocktail_2026_final.html
Kobe Shushinkan aims to foster innovation in sake culture while driving vitality into the KOBE Nighttime Economy through collaboration with the vibrant bar scene.
Theme: “A signature Japanese cocktail embodying the spirit of Fukuju and the prestige of a world-renowned brewing region.”
Eligible Products: Contestants must use at least one of the following sakes produced by KOBE SHU-SHIN-KAN BREWERIES, LTD. as the base:
- Fukuju Junmai Mikage-go (Green Label)
- Fukuju Junmai Ginjo (Blue Label)
Recipe Requirements:
- Total ingredients must not exceed five (5), including the base Fukuju sake.
- Homemade ingredients are not allowed.
- Garnishes, straws, and picks are not counted toward the 5-ingredient limit.
Eligibility:
- Professional bartenders or equivalent currently employed in bars, hotels, or restaurants.
- Must be at least 20 years of age as of April 1, 2026.
Judging Criteria:
- Expression of Sake (30%): How well the cocktail highlights the inherent characteristics of Japanese sake.
- Flavor & Balance (20%): Overall quality and completeness of the taste profile.
- Narrative (20%): The story and inspiration behind the creation.
- Reproducibility (20%): Potential for the cocktail to be easily adopted and enjoyed by a wide audience.
- Originality (10%): Creativity and innovation.
Grand Prize: The winner will receive a bottle of Special Limited Edition Fukuju Sake and a complimentary Kobe Beef Kaiseki dinner for two at the Brewery Restaurant “Sakabayashi.”
Head Judge: Mr. Kazuya Morisaki
Owner/Bartender of SAVOY hommage
(1F, 5-8-14 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe)
- 2021: Grand Champion at the 48th National Bartenders Skill and Technique Competition.
- 2022: Winner of two World Championship titles at the World Cocktail Championship in Cuba.
Judges:
- Takenosuke Yasufuku – President and Representative Director, KOBE SHU-SHIN-KAN BREWERIES, LTD.
- Hironobu Kubota – Vice President and Representative Director, KOBE SHU-SHIN-KAN BREWERIES, LTD.
- Takeshi Itani – Chief Executive Officer, Sake Experience Japan LTD.
- Hiroyuki Kato – Chief Marketing Officer, Sake Experience Japan LTD.
LOOKING BACK: THE INAUGURAL 2025 COMPETITION
Last year marked the successful debut of the 1st Annual FUKUJU SAKE Cocktail Competition. To view the winning entries and highlights from the 2025 final selection, please visit the link below. https://www.shushinkan.co.jp/news/fukuju_sake_cocktail_list.html
After a rigorous evaluation process, we are proud to announce the five finalists for the FUKUJU SAKE Cocktail Competition 2026.
These bartenders will compete live at the final selection in Kobe.
- OEN / 桜煙
(Cherry Blossom Smoke)- Bartender: Ukyo Ono
- Bar HONOR (Kobe)
- KEISUI / 継⽔
(Inherited Water )- Bartender: Ryota Hanaoka
- XEX WEST / The BAR (Osaka)
- MINATO-IRO/ みなと彩
(Harbor Colors )- Bartender: Issa Ogasawara
- The Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka (Osaka)
- MARINE SALUTE
(マリン・サルート)- Bartender: Masato Kondo
- Tomi’s BAR (Kobe)
- BAIO / 梅鶯
(The Spring Herald)- Bartender: Tesshin Yamahira
- The Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka (Osaka)
Reflections on the 2nd Annual Competition
By Takenosuke Yasufuku, 13th Generation President & Owner
“The significance of hosting the Sake Cocktail Competition for a second consecutive year lies not just in the event’s continuity, but in ensuring the new potential of Japanese sake takes root as a recognized culture. Traditionally, sake has been appreciated primarily neat.
However, looking at the global market, it is evident that distilled spirits with a versatile cocktail culture are the ones that truly thrive. We believe that as a premium brewed beverage, sake possesses a unique adaptability that allows it to stand alongside these spirits in the world of modern mixology.
By merging the craftsmanship of our sake with the ingenuity of professional bartenders, we aim to expand the way sake is enjoyed—making it a more diverse and versatile experience.
In this second year, we are moving beyond the initial challenge and into a phase of defining ‘Sake Cocktails’ as a recognized category within society.
We expect this project to be the spark that helps people all over the world see Japanese sake in a completely new light.”
About KOBE SHU-SHIN-KAN BREWERIES, LTD.
Founded in 1751 in the Mikage area of Kobe, Japan, Kobe Shushinkan Brewery has a centuries-long tradition of handcrafting sake. Its flagship brand, Fukuju, is guided by the philosophy of “brewing delicious sake without environmental impact,” blending time-honored techniques with modern innovation. Fukuju sake was the recipient of numerous national and international awards, including Kura Master, International Wine Challenge (IWC), and Japan Sake Awards. Its Junmai Ginjo has been featured multiple times at official Nobel Prize events since 2008. The brewery has achieved net-zero carbon emissions in its production, obtained Organic JAS certification, and has been recognized with sustainability awards such as Japan’s EcoPro Award and the U.K.’s Drinks Business Green Awards.
