Held every February in Jojima Town, Kurume City, one of Kyushu’s most respected sake-producing areas along the Chikugo River, Jojima Sakagura Biraki brings together local breweries to celebrate the completion of the season’s new sake. It is one of the largest sake brewery events in Kyushu.
The 2026 edition marks the first Jojima Sakagura Biraki since Fukuoka sake was officially recognized under the Geographical Indication (GI) “Fukuoka.” This designation shines a spotlight on the strong regional character behind Jojima’s sake, shaped by local climate, ingredients, and brewing traditions.
Jojima: A Historic Sake Town
Pure water from the Chikugo River, large-grain Chikugo rice well suited to brewing, Hita cedar long used in sake brewery architecture, and techniques passed down by the Mizuma toji guild. Jojima developed as a sake town from the Edo period onward thanks to the rare alignment of these conditions, earning a lasting reputation for sake production.
In 2025, Fukuoka sake was designated GI “Fukuoka.” GI, or Geographical Indication, is a system that protects products whose quality and reputation are rooted in their place of origin and traditional production methods. GI Fukuoka recognizes that sake brewed across the prefecture, including Jojima, reflects both local terroir and generations of craftsmanship.
How to Enjoy Sakagura Biraki
The 2026 event marks the 32nd edition and brings together eight breweries, including Jojima producers and participating breweries from nearby areas. At the main venue, Jojima Chomin no Mori Park, visitors can sample small pours from each brewery, enjoy casual standing-style drinks, and pair sake with food made using local ingredients. Bottles are available for purchase on site, making it easy to take home favorites or pick up gifts.
At the same time, individual breweries across the Jojima area host their own open-house events, offering limited tastings, special releases, and brewery tours. By using the free hop-on, hop-off shuttle buses or walking between nearby breweries, visitors can experience the subtle differences in philosophy and atmosphere from one kura to the next. Move freely between the main venue and the breweries to make the most of the day.
Tips from Fukuoka Now!!
Start at the main venue to get an overview. Tasting across multiple breweries helps clarify each one’s style and makes it easier to identify what you like. The main venue can be lively, so it is also worth stepping away to explore the breweries themselves. Limited releases and conversations with brewers often add depth to the sake experience.
Sake and Local Culture
On the main stage, performances such as the Chikugo Sake Brewing Song and Jojima Ryujin Taiko highlight cultural traditions that have long existed alongside sake production in the region. In late 2024, traditional sake brewing was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, drawing renewed global attention to sake as a living cultural practice.
Tasting GI Fukuoka–certified sake in the place where it is made offers more than just flavor. Jojima Sakagura Biraki is also a chance to encounter the land, history, and people behind the sake.
Jojima Sake Festival & Brewery Hopping
• Dates: February 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun), 2026
• Time: 9:30–16:00
• Main venue: Jojima Chomin no Mori Park (764 Naratsu, Jojima-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Participating breweries: Asahigiku, Ikekame, Takamasamune, Chikushi no Homare, Mizuhonishiki, Morinokura
• Nearest stations: Nishitetsu Mizuma Station, JR Kurume Station
• Official website: https://nanbu-shoko.jp/sakagura/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakezoh
Participating Breweries – Jojima Sakagura Biraki 2026
Asahigiku Shuzo
• Location: 403 Ichobaru, Mizuma-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Founded: 1900
• Profile: Focuses on food-friendly sake that highlights the natural flavor of rice. During Sakagura Biraki, the brewery sells limited releases and unpasteurized sake. Tastings in a relaxed atmosphere are especially popular.
https://asahikiku.jp/
Ikekame Shuzo
• Location: 545 Kusaba, Mizuma-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Founded: 1875
• Profile: Known for light, approachable sake styles. At the riverside brewery, visitors can enjoy standard labels alongside Sakagura Biraki–exclusive new sake, measured pours, and sweet amazake with azuki beans. The high-ceilinged kura is opened as a casual bar.
https://ikekame.com/
Chikushi no Homare Shuzo
• Location: 181 Aokishima, Jojima-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Founded: 1897
• Profile: Maintains a hands-on brewing style that begins with steaming rice in traditional wooden koshiki. During the event, new sake tastings and direct sales are offered. The brewery’s sake lees pickles, made using Fukuoka-grown white gourd, sake lees, and natural salt, are a local specialty.
https://www.instagram.com/chikushino_homare1897/
Hiyokutsuru Shuzo
• Location: 466-1 Uchino, Jojima-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Founded: 1895
• Profile: Known for its soft mouthfeel and emphasis on koji making. Limited small-batch brews and brewery-only releases may appear during Sakagura Biraki. Enjoyed both chilled and gently warmed.
https://www.hiyokutsuru.co.jp/
Mizuhonishiki Shuzo
• Location: 940 Fujiyoshi, Daizenji-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Founded: 1854
• Profile: Produces full-bodied sake with depth and a clean finish. During Sakagura Biraki, visitors may encounter styles well suited to warming or aged expressions that differ from those at the main venue.
http://www.fukuoka-sake.org/map/detail.php?ID=58
Morinokura
• Location: 2773 Tamamitsu, Mizuma-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Founded: 1898
• Profile: Centers on junmai sake made with locally contracted rice and soft, clean water drawn from beneath the brewery. Tastings comparing different rice varieties and brewery-only bottles are available.
https://www.morinokura.co.jp/
Takamasamune
• Location: 297 Kuroda, Daizenji-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Founded: Tempo era (1830–1844)
• Profile: First-time participant in Jojima Sakagura Biraki. A long-established brewery known for bold yet approachable sake with a Chikugo character. Focuses on direct sales of new and standard labels.
https://www.takamasamune.com/
Wakanami Shuzo
• Location: 752 Kanegae, Okawa City, Fukuoka
• Founded: 1922
• Profile: A modern brewing style that emphasizes aroma and clarity, offering a clear contrast to traditional Jojima sake. Participating in Sakagura Biraki for the first time, with sales focused on popular labels at the main venue.
https://wakanami.jimdofree.com/
Jojima Sake Tasting Corner
Jojima sake is known for its wide range of expressive styles. This year, the tasting corner expands in both scale and lineup, offering comparisons across 39 different labels.
Ticket system (15 tickets + original ochoko cup): ¥2,000
Payment: cash, PayPay, d-pay
• A (1 ticket per cup): futsushu to honjozo and junmai class
• B (2 tickets per cup): junmai to junmai ginjo class
• C (3 tickets per cup): junmai ginjo to junmai daiginjo class
Kakuchi (Standing Bar) (¥300)
Enjoy a casual drink starting from a single cup at the standing bar corner.
• Location: Main venue (Jojima Chomin no Mori Park)
• Price: from ¥300
• Payment: cash, PayPay, d-pay
Chikugo Sake Brewing Song
A traditional song passed down through Chikugo breweries for generations. Members of the Sake Brewing Preservation Society perform with pride.
• Times: Both days at 9:30 and 12:30
• Locations: Main venue (Chomin no Mori Park); the program also visits participating sake brewery venues.
Jojima Ryujin Taiko Performance
Traditional Japanese taiko drumming rooted in the Chikugo region.
• Times: Feb. 14 10:30~, 14:00~ / Feb. 15 10:30~, 13:30~
• Location: Main venue (Jojima Chomin no Mori Park)
Free Shuttle Bus
During the event, three free shuttle bus routes connect the venues with nearby stations.
• Operating hours: 9:00–17:00 each day
• Routes:
1. Direct route: Nishitetsu Mizuma Station ↔ Main venue
2. Brewery loop: Mizuma General Branch ↔ Asahigiku ↔ Ikekame ↔ Sake no Takeya ↔ Main venue
3. JR Kurume route (JR Kurume Station West Exit): JR Kurume Station ↔ Mizuhonishiki ↔ Unagi restaurant ↔ Takamasamune ↔ Ikekame ↔ Sake no Takeya ↔ Main venue ↔ Chikushi no Homare ↔ First parking area
Kaki × Sake Bar
A limited-time bar where Jojima sake is paired with Buzenkai Hitotsubu Kaki, one of Fukuoka’s signature oysters. Each brewery offers sake developed to pair with oysters, alongside freshly steamed seasonal oysters.
• Location: In front of the Jojima General Cultural Center (Ingat Hall) main entrance
• Kaki Sake: ¥300
Kyushu Live – The 30th Jojima Sakagura Biraki (February 17, 2024)
