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5th annual Kanpai to Sake Day In DC

D.C. Sake cō celebrates its 5th annual Kanpai! to Sake Day in D.C. at Love, Makoto with diverse sakes, deep insights & great food!

VIP Session I: Mr. Kuji (5th Generation President of Nanbu Bijin Sake Brewery)

$165 per ticket + tax

Early Bird $155 per ticket + tax (Until September 6th)

  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Taste 100+ diverse sakes from Japan and US
  • Meet sake professionals, sake makers and DC’s passionate sake community.
  • Affectionately known as "Mr. Sunshine" and beloved by sake fans around the world, Kuji-san founded the Sake Export Association and led Nanbu Bijin's remarkable recovery after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. This sake legend is joining us for one unforgettable evening.

In this VIP session, guests will taste a curated selection of Nanbu Bijin sake while hearing Kuji-san share, in his own words, the brewery's 120+ year history, its journey of resilience after the earthquake, and his enduring passion for sake making.

Opportunities to connect this closely with a world-renowned brewery president are truly rare — this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, open to a limited number of guests.

Kosuke Kuji

VIP Session II: Sake Sommelier Chris Johnson, "The Sake Ninja"

$150 per ticket + tax 

Early Bird $140 per ticket + tax (Until September 6th)

  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Taste 100+ diverse sakes from Japan and US
  • Meet sake professionals, sake makers and DC’s passionate sake community.
  • Chris has supported our event every single year since year one — and he's the very person who connected us with this year's venue, Love, Makoto.

For nearly 30 years, Chris has imported sake from Japan to the U.S. as a key member of World Sake Imports. Widely regarded as the sake world's equivalent of a Master Sommelier, he's also a Sake Educator and Sake Samurai.

But don't expect a lecture. Chris is famous for making premium sake approachable, fun, and downright entertaining — without losing the depth and rigor that rival the most serious wine lists in the business.

In this VIP session, guests will taste a curated lineup of sake guided by Chris, plus stories from his decades importing and the relationships he's built with breweries across Japan.

Chris Johnson

General Admission

$90 per ticket + tax

Early bird $80 per ticket + tax (Until September 6th)

  • Taste 100+ diverse sakes from Japan and US
  • 12-4pm
  • Meet sake professionals, sake makers and DC’s passionate sake community.
  • Bites served by their kitchen

Need to Know

Ticket price includes a 20% service charge, 100% of which is distributed to Love Makoto’s service team members.

All tickets are non-refundable. No cancellations. Parking is available under 250 Massachusetts Ave. NW, accessed at 3rd and G Streets NW. This event is 21+ only.

About Event

World Sake Day, celebrated every year on October 1st, which marks the traditional start of the sake brewing season in Japan. Timed with the rice harvest, it’s the perfect moment for breweries to begin production. More than a calendar milestone, World Sake Day honors the rich history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance of sake—a drink deeply woven into Japanese rituals, cuisine, and daily life.

Four years ago, Reiko Hirai, a Japanese national and owner of D.C. Sake cō, launched “Kanpai to Sake Day in DC”—the first celebration of its kind in Washington, D.C.—to invite the community to be part of this global sake tradition. Her vision was to create a welcoming space where both sake lovers and the sake-curious could explore an exceptional variety of sake styles, learn directly from expert brewers and sommeliers, and connect with one another in a warm, vibrant atmosphere.

One of the highlights of Kanpai to Sake Day in DC is that if you discover a sake you love, you can order it on the spot through D.C. Sake cō—with a special 10% discount—so you can continue enjoying it at the comfort of your own home.

About D.C. Sake cō

D.C. Sake cō is the Washington, D.C. area’s premier online shop dedicated to Japanese sake, shochu, and spirits. Passionate about connecting people to the rich culture and craftsmanship behind these drinks, we host events, tastings, and educational programs to bring sake beyond traditional boundaries and create an inclusive, sake-loving community.