Enjoy a tasting of "Hiyaoroshi," autumn sake from Shinshu that has deepened in flavor over the summer, at Ginza NAGANO. On Sunday the 13th, the master brewers from Tanaka-ya Sake Brewery, which brews "Mizuo," and Nishi-Iida Sake Brewery, which brews "Sekizen," will also be in attendance!
Every year on September 9th (Choyo no Sekku), the release date for "Hiyaoroshi" sake from Shinshu is set. At "Ginza NAGANO" (Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo), an information hub connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area and Nagano Prefecture, a tasting event called "Hiyaoroshi Festival" will be held for two days, on September 12th (Sat) and 13th (Sun), 2026, immediately after the release date.
No reservations are required on either day. All of the Hiyaoroshi sake you sample can be purchased at the store.
Why not compare and contrast a variety of chilled sake and feel the deepening autumn of Shinshu with each sip?
*Image is for illustrative purposes only.
What kind of sake is "Hiyaoroshi"?
"Hiyaoroshi" is a type of sake brewed between winter and spring, which is pasteurized once before storage and then aged slowly in the brewery throughout the summer. In autumn, when the temperature of the sake approaches that of the outside air, it is shipped without a second pasteurization. Over the summer, the harshness of the new sake mellows out, resulting in a smooth, mellow, and well-balanced flavor.
This sake pairs well with seasonal delicacies such as new rice, mushrooms, autumn vegetables, and autumn fish, and has been enjoyed for generations. It's a drink that can only be savored during this time of year.
Each brewery offers a unique and flavorful taste of Shinshu's hiyaoroshi sake.
Nagano Prefecture, which stretches long from north to south and has a large difference in elevation, produces a wide variety of sake thanks to the pure water nurtured by the mountains, the diverse climates of each region, sake rice varieties such as Miyama Nishiki, Hitogokochi, and Yamakei Nishiki, and the techniques and sensibilities that have been passed down by each brewery. Even hiyaoroshi (sake aged through the summer) varies greatly depending on the brewer and brand, ranging from crisp and light to those with a rich rice flavor and those that offer a deep, lingering finish from aging.
September 12th (Sat) | Hiyaoroshi Festival Day 1: Choose from over 40 varieties and enjoy a tasting of 10 different types of sake.
Over 40 varieties of hiyaoroshi (sake aged through the summer) from breweries throughout Nagano Prefecture have been gathered in one place. You can freely choose 10 varieties that interest you and compare them.
Why not compare the different flavors of various breweries and brands to find your favorite?
September 13th (Sun) | Hiyaoroshi Festival Day 2 ~Double Tasting Space Takeover~ Enjoy a tasting of 15 different sakes with two sake brewers.
On Sunday the 13th, Mr. Kubota, the master brewer of Tanakaya Sake Brewery, which brews "Mizuo," and Mr. Iida, the master brewer of Nishiida Sake Brewery, which brews "Sekizen," will be in attendance. In addition to a talk show where they will discuss sake brewing and hiyaoroshi (unpasteurized sake), you can enjoy interacting with the master brewers while comparing 10 types of sake, including hiyaoroshi from both breweries, and 5 types of hiyaoroshi from other breweries, for a total of 15 types of sake.
Enjoy this special moment to discover and savor the charm of hiyaoroshi sake.
A full cup of sake that captures the essence of Okushinano and Iiyama. "Mizuo" by Tanakaya Sake Brewery
Founded in 1873, Tanakaya Sake Brewery in Iiyama City operates under the motto, "We create something that can only be made here." Led by master brewer Tsuyoshi Kubota, they brew "Mizuo," a local sake of Okushinano, using spring water from Mt. Mizuo in Nozawa Onsen Village and sake rice grown in Nagano Prefecture. Its appeal lies in its clean finish, which takes advantage of the spring water's characteristics of sweetness and clarity.
A unique sake brewed with "flower yeast." "Sekizen" Nishiida Sake Brewery
Founded in the late Edo period, Nishiida Sake Brewery in Shinonoi, Nagano City, uses "flower yeast," isolated and cultured from flowers blooming in nature, to brew its junmai sake "Sekizen" under the guidance of master brewer Kazuki Iida. Each year, they use around 15 different types of flower yeast, resulting in a diverse array of aromas and flavors that highlight the unique characteristics of each.
Event Overview
| event | Ginza NAGANO "Hiyaoroshi Festival" Day 1 |
| Date and time | Saturday, September 12, 2026 [First half of the event] 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (Last entry 1:00 PM) [Second half session] 14:30 – 17:30 (Last entry 17:00) *Reservations are not required for either the first or second session. |
| Participation fee | Sake tasting ticket (10 types): Regular price (tasting only): 2,000 yen; Price with purchase of one or more bottles of sake (720ml or larger): 1,000 yen; Appetizer platter (assorted pickles, cheese, etc.): 500 yen |
| venue | Ginza NAGANO 2nd Floor Tasting Space (NOCO Building 2F, 5-6-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) |
| Contents | You can choose and sample 10 of your favorite types of hiyaoroshi (unpasteurized sake) from over 40 varieties collected from breweries throughout Nagano Prefecture. *Depending on the crowd situation, we may limit your stay time. |
| event | Ginza NAGANO "Hiyaoroshi Festival" Day 2 ~Double TS Jack~ |
| Date and time | Sunday, September 13, 2026 [Part 1] 11:30-14:00 (last entry 13:30) ★Guest brewery talk show 12:00-13:00 [Part 2] 15:00-17:30 (last entry 17:00) ★Guest brewery talk show 15:30-16:30 *Reservations are not required for either Part 1 or Part 2. |
| Participation fee | Sake Tasting Ticket (15 types): Includes 10 types of sake, including the guest brewery's hiyaoroshi (unpasteurized sake), plus 5 types of hiyaoroshi from other breweries. Regular Price: ¥3,000 Price with purchase of one or more bottles of sake (720ml or larger): ¥2,000 Snacks (assorted pickled mustard greens, cheese, etc.): ¥500 |
| venue | Ginza NAGANO 2nd Floor Tasting Space (NOCO Building 2F, 5-6-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) |
| guest | Tanakaya Sake Brewery (Iiyama City): Master Brewer Kubota Nishi-Iida Sake Brewery (Nagano City): Master Brewer Iida |
| Contents | You can enjoy comparing different sakes while listening directly to the master brewer talk about sake brewing and hiyaoroshi (unpasteurized sake). |
*Both days will be standing-room only. *Tasting will be 20ml per glass. *Participation in this event is limited to those 20 years of age or older. *We strictly refuse to serve alcohol to anyone who will be driving a car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.
▼For the latest information on this event, please visit the Ginza NAGANO official website.
https://www.ginza-nagano.jp/blogs/shop-news/260912-0913hiyaoroshi
About Ginza NAGANO
Ginza NAGANO is an information hub connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area and Nagano Prefecture.
It features a shop, event space, and tourist information/relocation consultation services, showcasing the appeal of Shinshu's food, culture, and tourism.
Address: NOCO Building, 1st, 2nd, and 5th Floors, 5-6-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
TEL: 03-6274-6015 (main)
Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM (1st & 2nd floors) 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (5th floor)
About "Weekly Ginza NAGANO"
Starting in July 2026, we will regularly post information about products to be sold at Ginza NAGANO, events to be held, and more.
[Nagano Prefecture] From the press release
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