Shochu Live 2026

Don't miss America's first and only shochu festival!
Taste 40 shochus from Japan! Learn about shochu through seminars led by the industry's leading experts! Kanpai with us!

Yes, it's the one and only festival in the U.S. completely dedicated to shochu! We've invited our favorite distillers, importers, and distributors to enjoy shochus made with different ingredients, in a myriad of styles, plus cocktails.

Last year, we had a blast at the first Shochu Live – check out the photos right here! This year's Shochu Live will be bigger and bolder with more visiting shochu makers from Japan and two seminars!

But first, what is shochu? Shochu is a distilled beverage from Japan. Popular categories of shochu include sweet potato, barley, rice, and black sugar. There's so much to explore in the wide world of shochu! With plenty of tastings and special live presentations, you'll learn all about shochu and how to drink it. Let's kanpai with shochu!

Guests include:
Shinsaku Kuroki, Osuzuyama Distillery / Kuroki-Honten (Miyazaki)
Tadashi Yanagita, Yanagita Shuzo (Miyazaki)
Kazuhito Shimoozaki, Hamada Shuzo (Kagoshima)
Motoshi Naka, Higa Shuzo (Okinawa)
Taiki Yukawa, Kirishima Shuzo (Miyazaki)
Taeko Ichioka, Mizu Shochu
Paul Nakayama, Nankai Shochu
Christopher Pellegrini, Honkaku Spirits 
Mike Bigelow, Big World Traders
Brian Boothe, Sipt
Bella Pearson, Kome Collective

The shochu lineup (subject to change):
Yamasemi (Rice)
Yamaneko (Sweet Potato)
NakaNaka (Barley)
Kiroku (Sweet Potato)
Kiroku Muroka (Sweet Potato)
Aokage 24 "Stallion" (Barley)
Aokage 41 "Thoroughbred Stallion" (Barley)
Yanagita Koma "Colt" (Barley)
Yanagita Mizunara Barrel Aged (Barley)
Zanpa White (Awamori)
Zanpa Black (Awamori)
Zanpa 35 (Awamori)
Zanpa 1999 (Awamori)
Daiyame (Sweet Potato)
Daiyame 40 (Sweet Potato)
Kakushi Gura (Barley)
Sekitoba Shochu (Sweet Potato)
Sekitoba Matcha Shochu (Sweet Potato + Matcha)
Kirishima 8 (Sweet Potato)
Kuro Kirishima 20% (Sweet Potato)
Kuro Kirishima Melt (Barley)
Mizu Sakura Cask (Barley)
Mizu Green Tea (Barley)
Mizu Barley (Barley)
Mizu Lemongrass (Barley)
Nankai (Kokuto Black Sugar)
Nankai Gold (Kokuto Black Sugar)
Nankai White Oak (Kokuto Black Sugar)
Nankai Imo (Sweet Potato)
Musha Gaeshi (Rice)
Goro (Sweet Potato)
Shoro Interlude Chestnut Barrel Aged Shochu (Sweet Potato)
Beni Sango (Kokuto Black Sugar)
Yokka Koji (Awamori)
Ranbiki 3 (Barley)
Ranbiki 5 (Barley)
Nakamura Nakamura
Tokujo Taimei
Asahi Kokuto
Rihei Ginger (Barley)
Purple + Pear (Sweet Potato)
8000 Generation (Rice)
Kura Shochu (Kasutori)

Seminars:
1:30p-2:00p - What is Shochu? by Christopher Pellegrini
2:30-3:00p - All About Maewari Shochu by Tadashi Yanagita

Limited seating for seminars, please RSVP to shochu@umamimart.com

Food by (sold separately): 
Casa de Kei

Music by:
DJ Wiley Coyote

WHAT: Shochu Live
America's first and only shochu festival! Featuring over 30 shochus from Japan, plus presentations on how to enjoy the spirit

WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 1-4pm

WHERE: Umami Mart
4027 Broadway, Oakland CA 94611
510-250-9559 / shop@umamimart.com

ADMISSION: Buy tix now! $65 / $55 members with code.
Become a member today! This is a 21+ event.