5th annual Kanpai to Sake Day In DC

D.C. Sake cō invites you to our 5th Annual Kanpai! to Sake Day in D.C. at Love, Makoto on Sunday, October 4th! Join us for an unforgettable day featuring 100+ sakes from Japan and the U.S., delicious food, and the people and stories that make the sake community so special.

We offer three ticket options:

• VIP Session I: $165 | Early Bird: $155
• VIP Session II: $150 | Early Bird: $140
• General Admission: $90 | Early Bird: $80

*Early Bird pricing is available through September 6th.

Please note: Tickets are booked through Love, Makoto’s Resy platform, where the displayed price includes a 20% service charge, with applicable tax added separately. 100% of the service charge is distributed to Love, Makoto’s service team members.

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

VIP Session: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
General Admission Tasting: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

Affectionately known as “Mr. Sunshine” and beloved by sake fans around the world, Kuji-san is the fifth-generation president of Nanbu Bijin, a brewery with more than 120 years of history.

A leading voice for Japanese sake internationally, Kuji-san founded the Sake Export Association and helped lead Nanbu Bijin through its remarkable recovery following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.

During this intimate VIP session, guests will:

• Taste a specially curated selection of Nanbu Bijin sake
• Hear Kuji-san share the brewery’s 120+ year history and journey of resilience
• Learn about his passion for sake making and bringing sake to the world
• Enjoy the rare opportunity to meet and engage directly with one of the sake industry’s most respected brewery presidents

Following the VIP session, guests will have full access to the General Admission tasting from 12:00–4:00 PM, featuring 100+ sakes from Japan and the U.S., bites from Love, Makoto, and opportunities to meet sake makers and industry professionals.

This is a rare opportunity to experience Nanbu Bijin through the stories and sake of the person leading its next generation.

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

General Admission Tasting: 12:00 PM-4:00 PM
VIP Session: 2:00-3:00 PM

For nearly 30 years, Chris Johnson has helped bring Japanese sake to the U.S. as a key member of World Sake Imports. Known throughout the industry as “The Sake Ninja,” Chris is a Sake Educator, Sake Samurai, and one of the most entertaining personalities in the sake world.

Chris has also supported Kanpai! to Sake Day since our very first year - and even helped connect us with our home for this year’s celebration, Love, Makoto.

But don’t expect a lecture. Chris has a gift for making premium sake approachable, engaging, and fun while bringing decades of knowledge and experience to every glass.

During this VIP session, guests will:

• Taste a curated lineup of sake guided by Chris
• Hear stories from nearly three decades of importing Japanese sake
• Learn about the breweries, people, and relationships behind the bottles
• Explore premium sake in Chris’s signature approachable and entertaining style

VIP Session II guests have full access to the General Admission tasting from 12:00-4:00 PM and are welcome to arrive anytime beginning at noon. Join Chris for the exclusive VIP session from 2:00-3:00 PM, then continue enjoying the General Admission tasting afterward until 4:00 PM.

General Admission

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Spend the afternoon celebrating sake with us at Love, Makoto!
Your General Admission ticket includes:

• Tastings of 100+ diverse sakes from Japan and the U.S.
• Opportunities to meet sake makers, industry professionals, and fellow sake enthusiasts
• Bites prepared by the Love, Makoto kitchen
• The chance to discover new favorites and learn about the people and stories behind the bottles

Whether you’re a longtime sake lover or just beginning to explore, Kanpai! to Sake Day is a welcoming celebration designed for discovering, learning, and enjoying sake together.

Need to Know

Tickets: All tickets are booked through Love, Makoto’s Resy platform.
Refunds: All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. No cancellations.
Age Requirement: This event is 21+ only.
Parking: Parking is available beneath 250 Massachusetts Ave. NW, with garage access at 3rd and G Streets NW.

About Kanpai! to Sake Day in D.C.

World Sake Day is celebrated every year on October 1st, traditionally marking the beginning of the sake brewing season in Japan. Coinciding with the rice harvest, it is a time to celebrate the history, craftsmanship, culture, and people behind Japan’s national beverage.

Five years ago, Reiko Hirai, owner of D.C. Sake cō, launched Kanpai! to Sake Day in D.C., the first celebration of its kind in Washington, D.C. Her vision was to create a welcoming space where longtime sake lovers and the sake-curious alike could discover an exceptional variety of sake, learn directly from brewers and industry professionals, and connect with one another over a shared glass.

Now celebrating its fifth year, Kanpai! to Sake Day continues to bring together D.C.’s growing sake community for an afternoon of discovery, education, great food, and, of course, exceptional sake.

Find something you love during the tasting? Guests can order featured sake directly through D.C. Sake cō during the event and receive a special 10% event discount, so you can continue enjoying your new favorites at home.

About D.C. Sake cō

D.C. Sake cō is a Washington, D.C.-based online shop dedicated to Japanese sake, shochu, and spirits. Passionate about connecting people with the rich culture, craftsmanship, and stories behind these drinks, we host tastings, festivals, educational programs, and special events that bring sake beyond traditional boundaries and help build an inclusive and welcoming community in Washington, D.C.