Since the early 2000s, the international sake industry has been eager to reach new audiences by hosting sake-themed events. While some are large-scale tastings inspired by holidays such as October 1st World Sake Day, some are smaller, more intimate events that merge Japanese culture with the flavor of their respective cities. Not only do these events draw interest from global sake lovers, but they also work to break down the language and cultural barriers that can make sake feel inaccessible to new consumers. Over recent years, a continuous stream of sake events has formed all across the world, especially in the U.S., which is sake’s biggest volume export market. Here are the major players in the U.S. sake events scene who have helped build the interest in Japanese sake we see today.

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