#Japan #Niigata #Dassai #Yamada Nishiki

A Toast to the New Year with DASSAI in Niigata

On January 31st, 2026, a remarkable event entitled "Celebrating the New Year with Niigata DASSAI" will take place at the Art Hotel Niigata Station. This occasion marks the first time this celebration is hosted in Niigata City, following the overwhelming success of a similar event in Nagaoka. Organized by the Niigata Yamada Nishiki Association and Eco Rice Niigata, the gathering will bring together locally grown Yamada Nishiki rice producers and the DASSAI brewery, allowing sake enthusiasts to rejoice in the New Year together.

In recent months, Niigata has garnered attention for its exceptional Yamada Nishiki rice, renowned for its quality and flavor. This event is dedicated to celebrating the hard work of local producers who cultivate this esteemed rice, especially as they prepare to compete for the prestigious Grand Prix in a contest hosted by DASSAI. The Yamada Nishiki project aims to elevate the quality of Japanese sake, offering an impressive prize of 40 million yen to the champion. Among the 23 producers who participated in the November preliminaries, nine will advance to the final selection.

Emphasizing Quality and Passion

This year marks the peak of quality seen in the 13-year cultivation history of Yamada Nishiki in Niigata. The upcoming festivities will allow the passionate producers to communicate their love for sake directly to the consumers, providing a unique taste of their premium products. The highlight will be DASSAI's signature “DASSAI Junmai Daiginjo 39%,” made exclusively from Yamada Nishiki grown in Niigata's fertile fields.

Featuring Rare Finds: Introducing DASSAI BLUE

Event attendees can expect to taste rare varieties of DASSAI sake, including the long-awaited “DASSAI BLUE,” brewed at DASSAI's new factory by the Hudson River in New York. This special brew, made with Hudson River water, introduces a fresh nuance to the traditional flavor of DASSAI sake, showcasing the adaptability of the brand. Additionally, various limited-edition offerings like “DASSAI Junmai Daiginjo 23%,” shochu, umeshu, and more will be available, ensuring that the selection is as exclusive as it is extensive.

Engage with Producers and Enjoy Optional Tours

What makes this event particularly exciting is the opportunity for guests to interact directly with the producers and representatives from DASSAI. Attendees will experience not just the exceptional flavors, but will also learn about the intricacies of sake production through engaging discussions with the craftspersons behind their drinks.

Those traveling from outside Niigata are especially welcome, as the following day features an optional tour: the “Yahiko Shrine and Teradomari Fish Market Tour.” Partnering with JTB Nagaoka, this tour provides a fantastic opportunity to explore Niigata's rich culinary history and hot spring culture while enjoying the finest sake in the region.

Event Details

• - Date: January 31, 2026
• - Time: 6:00 PM (Registration starts at 5:30 PM)
• - Location: Art Hotel Niigata Station
• - Fee: 13,000 JPY per person (includes a limited edition DASSAI T-shirt for the first 120 registrations)
• - Registration Deadline: December 25, 2025

To register, scan the attached QR code or visit Registration Link Here.

Contact for Inquiries

For further information regarding the event, you can reach the Niigata Yamada Nishiki Association at 0258-66-0070 (Toyo and Wakatsuki).
For inquiries about tour registration, contact JTB Nagaoka at 0258-35-3315 or via email at [email protected]. Operating hours are from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (closed on weekends and public holidays).

Join us for this extraordinary celebration and discover the best of Niigata's sake while welcoming the New Year in style!