#Japan #FARM8 STAND #Ochanomizu #Sake Kasu #New Niigata

Explore the Sake Kasu Cycle Fest at FARM8 STAND

FARM8 Co., Ltd., located in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, is hosting an engaging event called the Sake Kasu Cycle Fest at their popup store, FARM8 STAND, situated on the 2nd floor of Ecute Edition Ochanomizu from January 26 to February 8, 2026. During this exciting 14-day event, attendees will have the unique opportunity to experience 1 ton of sake kasu in various delightful ways.

What is Sake Kasu?

Sake kasu, or the leftover mash from sake production, is known for its health benefits and versatility in culinary uses. Traditionally, people have associated it with Japanese cooking, but the Sake Kasu Cycle Fest aims to explore and expand its applications, not only in food but also in beauty and desserts.

The Concept Behind the Fest

The Sake Kasu Cycle Fest is a celebration of the cultural richness of sake, aiming to educate and immerse participants in the myriad ways sake kasu can be integrated into daily life. With the motto, “Hacco to go!”, the event encourages visitors to take home practical knowledge about using sake kasu. This final event for FARM8 STAND, which started as a limited-time popup, intends to highlight the special characteristics of sake kasu through hands-on experiences.

Learning and Tasting Opportunities

FARM8 STAND started operating in May 2025 and has gained popularity for its interactive format combining tasting and educational events. One of the key findings from a survey conducted on their social media platform indicated that many potential users of sake kasu were unclear on how to incorporate it into their cooking. This event aims to address those concerns with hands-on workshops, beauty experiences, and cooking sessions.

• - Sake Kasu Cooking: Attendees can learn to marinate meats and enhance the flavor of dishes by incorporating sake kasu. Studies show marinating chicken breast in sake kasu makes it incredibly tender and flavorful, which will be one of the highlighted demonstrations.
• - Beauty Treatments: Experience the power of sake kasu in beauty care with unique face masks and bath bombs made from fresh sake kasu, emphasizing self-care and wellness.
• - Shared Learning: Through various workshops, guests can explore the nutritional benefits and find creative ways to utilize sake kasu in their everyday cooking. These hands-on sessions will include sake tasting, where participants can enjoy freshly brewed sake from local breweries.

Key Programs

The Sake Kasu Cycle Fest features four distinct experiential programs:

1. Food – Hacco Monday Special: Selling fresh sake kasu (500g) at an unbeatable price of just 50 yen (including tax) on specific Mondays during the event, reaffirming the unique culinary value of sake kasu.
Dates: January 26 and February 2.

2. Beauty – Sake Kasu Beauty Lab: Engage in hands-on beauty experiences, including DIY sake kasu hand treatments and bath bomb creation to take home for a spa-like experience.
Dates: January 30 to February 1 and February 6 to February 8.

3. Sweets – Sake Kasu Chocolate Fondue: A unique blend of chocolate and sake kasu to create a delicious dessert. Attendees can learn how to easily recreate this sweet treat at home.
Dates: January 30 to February 1 and February 6 to February 8.

4. Learning – Sake Kasu Workshop: Dive deeper into the world of sake kasu through informative sessions discussing its nutritional aspects, cooking techniques, and innovative recipes. This is the last workshop in the series, so participants will not want to miss it!
Dates: February 7 and February 8.

Final Details

The Sake Kasu Cycle Fest will happen at FARM8 STAND. Admission is free, but some experiences will require a fee. The popup store is conveniently located at the JR Ochanomizu Station, making it easily accessible for visitors.

• - Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (weekends until 8:00 PM)

This festival at FARM8 promises to be both educational and enjoyable, aiming to deepen the appreciation for sake kasu in the modern culinary and beauty experience! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore sake kasu and take home new experiences!

About FARM8

Established in February 2015, FARM8 Co., Ltd. focuses on promoting Niigata’s rich fermented food culture through innovative products and collaborations with local sake breweries. Their commitment to sustainability and community aligns with the essence of the Sake Kasu Cycle Fest, making it a noteworthy event to attend.