Sake Flight Week LA

For the sake connoisseurs as well as the merely sake-curious, you’re invited to taste, toast, and learn during Sake Flight Week LA. Sample 20 unique sakes from brewers across Japan, all served with carefully curated food pairings, while enjoying the sweeping views over Hollywood!

It’s the ultimate chance to better understand Japanese sake and discover new favorites to stock for your next party.

During the event, guests can wander, mingle, and explore three dedicated sections at their own pace:

1. Japanese sake
   Taste 20 different sake flavors including a selection of Junmai and Non-Junmai.
   Junmai: Brewed using rice, water, koji mold only (no distilled alcohol)
   Non-Junmai: Brewed using rice, water, koji mold and distilled alcohol
    
2. Food
   Sample five savory dishes that pair well with sake
    
3. Education
   Dive into the rich world of sake through panels and videos that introduce facts and traditions, including Japan's Kaku-uchi culture (learn about Kaku-uchi, below)
    

*Updated 2/24: Due to an unimaginably enthusiastic response, admission may be restricted. RSVP is preferred. Guests who have RSVP'd will have priority access during the day. To ensure a comfortable program experience, walk-in guests may be asked to wait if the room capacity has been reached. Tasting room access subject to change depending on capacity. We recommend earlier time slots for best availability.

All About Kaku-uchi

 

What is Kaku-uchi?

The charm of Japan’s Kaku-uchi tradition is that you can try a wide variety of sake at a reasonable price while learning from sake experts. While visiting a liquor store that stocks a wide selection of sake, you can start with ordering a glass, and discover new sake while chatting with the store's knowledgeable staff and regular customers. Given the setting of a shop instead of restaurant, the service at a Kaku-uchi is very simple – often just standing-room only, and offer simple canned or dried foods as snacks.

The Kaku-uchi Origin

"Kaku-uchi" is a unique feature of Japan’s food and beverage landscape, and refers to the drinking of sake purchased at a liquor store, and to liquor stores that offer this service. There are various theories about the origin of kaku-uchi, but the most popular theory is that it originated when people drank sake directly from the corner of a square-shaped sake barrel. In the past, sake shops in Japan sold sake in large barrels, and by weight, using masu (traditional square wooden sake cups used as measurement). Many customers wanted to drink the sake they bought on the spot, so some began sipping it right from the measuring squares. Against this backdrop, the term "kaku-uchi," which at first meant "drinking sake from the corner of a square," eventually evolved into a term referring to drinking sake purchased at a liquor store.

General rules of the Kaku-uchi (corner store) in Japan

• Pay in advance | The Kaku-uchi style is to buy sake first, and then drink it.
• Kaku-uchi is not a restaurant | There's no extensive customer service. You're meant to drink in a respectful manner so as not to disrupt the atmosphere.
• Do not stay too long | A Kaku-uchi space is small in size. Once you’re had some fun, it’s customary to give your space to other customers in a timely fashion.
   

 

Hosted by
National Tax Agency of Japan

Supported by
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles