Yamagata Sake Brewery Marathon 2026
2026-11-08 12:00 - 14:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Tendo Central Park, 2-chome-3 Higashihoncho, Tendō, Yamagata, 994-0026, JP
Experience the Yamagata Sake Brewery Marathon, a unique half marathon in Yamagata Prefecture where runners visit local sake breweries along the roughly 21km course. Enjoy sake tastings at checkpoints, local food trucks at the goal, and English-speaking staff ready to help. The race starts at Tendo Central Park and finishes at Yamagata Prefectural Hall. The marathon is open to 500 participants, and the route highlights Yamagata’s sake culture with water, amazake, and delicious sake awaiting finishers. Registration opens July 11, 2026, via RUNNET. Note: This marathon is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, and has a 3-hour, 30-minute time limit. Timeframe estimated.

SSA Certified Sake Sommelier (Day 1 of 2)
2026-11-28 09:00 - 15:30 | Jijisake – Sake School in Tokyo, 1, Taito City, Tokyo, 111-0032, JP
Elevate your understanding of sake with the prestigious SSA Certified Sake Sommelier course at Jijisake in Tokyo. This immersive 2-day experience is perfect for hospitality professionals and sake enthusiasts alike, diving deep into sake production, culture, tasting, and advanced topics like umami science and food pairing. Led by the Sake Sommelier Association, participants gain hands-on expertise in everything from serving etiquette to retail knowledge. Completion grants eligibility to act as a judge in international Sake Challenge competitions and a shot at the Sake Sommelier of the Year award. An official SSA certificate and lapel pin are awarded to those who pass the written and tasting exam. Certificates are digital by default, with an optional physical certificate for an extra fee.
