Sake no jin
Sake no jin (酒の陣) is an annual sake fair, attended by about one hundred sake producers from across Niigata Prefecture, a prefecture well known for its high quality rice and rice wine. Sake no jin is held on a weekend in mid March at the Toki Messe convention center in Niigata City, and allows visitors to sample from a wide variety of sake and sake-related products.
Prospective visitors need to purchase a ticket for a 3-hour slot during which they can taste any of the sake products offered at the fair. There are limits on the number of tickets sold. Visitors must be at least 20 years old to attend.
Getting there and around
By train from Tokyo
Niigata Station can be reached from Tokyo Station in about two hours by Toki trains along the Joetsu Shinkansen. The one way journey costs around 10,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass.
By bus from Tokyo
There are hourly highway bus connections and an overnight bus between Tokyo (Ikebukuro Station) and Niigata. The one way trip takes about 5.5 hours and costs between 3200 and 7900 yen depending on the day of travel. Online reservations can be made via Willer.
From Niigata Station to Toki Messe
The Toki Messe convention center can be reached from Niigata Station by bus (about 10 minutes, 260 yen one way), by taxi (about 5 minutes, approx. 1000 yen one way) or on foot (two kilometers, about 30 minutes).
Hours and Fees
Sake no jin 2025
Hours
Admission
3500 yen (without reserved seat)
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
