An awards ceremony for SAKE COMPETITION 2026 — widely regarded as the world's most authoritative evaluation of commercially available Japanese sake — was held on June 10 at Takanawa Gateway City The Linkpillar 1 South in Tokyo. This year's competition drew more than 1,000 entries submitted by 367 breweries from across Japan, with winners announced across six main categories alongside a series of special honors. The ceremony was hosted by broadcasters Natsumi Uga and Hasen Kuniyama.
Nara's Imanishi Shuzo Claims a Rare Double Crown
The evening's standout result came from Imanishi Shuzo (今西酒造) of Nara Prefecture, which swept the two most prominent sake categories. The brewery's Mimurosugi Roman Series Dio Abita (みむろ杉 ろまんシリーズ Dio Abita) took first place in the Junmai division, while its Mimurosugi Roman Series Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki (みむろ杉 ろまんシリーズ 純米吟醸 山田錦) topped the Junmai Ginjo division — the brewery's first double crown since 2014.
"It is unbelievable that we have achieved our first double crown since 2014; I cannot find the words to express it," a brewery representative said upon receiving the awards. "I want to share this joy with the brewers who craft the sake alongside us."
In recognition of placing multiple entries in the top rankings across categories, Imanishi Shuzo was also presented with the Takanawa Gateway City Grand Opening Commemorative Best Brewery Award, a special honor for breweries with exceptional breadth of performance.
Hiroshima and Mie Breweries Lead the Premium Categories
In the Junmai Daiginjo division, Hiroshima-based Aihara Shuzo (相原酒造) claimed first place with its Ugo no Tsuki Junmai Daiginjo (雨後の月 純米大吟醸). The Super Premium category was won by Kiyasho Shuzo (木屋正酒造) of Mie Prefecture with Jikon Tokuto Omachi (而今 特等雄町), while the Modern Natural category went to Kawakei Shoten (川敬商店) of Miyagi Prefecture for its Tachibanaya Junmai Ginjo (たちばなや 純米吟醸).
Okinawa's Awamori Tradition Takes the Spotlight
The competition also featured dedicated categories for awamori, the traditional distilled spirit of Okinawa. In the Aged Awamori division, Higa Shuzo (比嘉酒造) of Okinawa took first place with Zanpa Torakichi 2022. "We make delicious spirits with the same dedication as sake brewers," the distillery said in a statement. "We hope this becomes an opportunity for people across Japan and around the world to discover what we do."
Special Awards Round Out the Evening
The Diners Club Young Brewer Encouragement Award, which recognizes emerging talent in the next generation of sake makers, was presented to Shogo Aihara, president of Aihara Shuzo. The JAL Flying Sake Award — selecting a brew to be served aboard Japan Airlines flights — went to Kawakei Shoten's Tachibanaya Junmai Ginjo, the same bottle that won the Modern Natural category. Finally, the Executive Committee Chairman's Award was presented to Yoshida Shuzoten (吉田酒造店) of Ishikawa Prefecture for its Yoshidagura U Hyakumangoku no Shiro (吉田蔵U 百万石乃白), closing an evening that highlighted the remarkable regional diversity of Japanese brewing.
