NamaFest 2026

This year we dubbed NamaFest the Coachella of Sake. Each year since 2024, it has doubled in size, selling out faster and faster. To keep up with the demand, we upped the ante this year with bigger tents, fridges, accessible ramps, and (while not the most popular until the end of the event) more bathrooms!

If you are among the uninitiated, NamaFest is our annual celebration of unpasteurized sakes. Importers, makers, and vendors are invited to share their just-pressed, spring release sakes with our community for an all day event. And this year, like in years passed, we invited DJ Jody to supply tunes and Casa de Kei to keep us fed.

With over 200 attendees, 13 vendors, and 40 sakes, this year's NamaFest felt like a positive cloud of energy, with everyone making the most of a cold Oakland day.

Vendors pre-gamed by tasting what others had to offer.

While setting up, Kayoko and I briefed our dedicated vendors on the program.

Inside during the calm before the storm, our staff and volunteers were busy prepping.

The first of the attendees trickle in. Here we see Takara Sake pouring their nama, pressed just the night before.

Diligent NamaHeads consult and take notes on their programs.

Suzuki Marketing's Yusuke welcomes guests.

Me and Sake Samurai Monica Samuels mid-event.

In the thick of festivities, the view from the Joto sake was a sight to behold with eager fans.

Casa de Kei served up these Gyu Rib Eye Sandos all day.

Regulars and Sake Gumi members take notes on the sakes they enjoyed.

Brooklyn Kura joined NamaFest this year and brought along educational materials for their booth.

We kept the rain away, but were glad to have tent coverage just in case.

Paul from Fifth Taste shares some new generation namas!

So satisfying seeing these gleeful faces in this shot!

In all there were 40 ice-cold namas to be had.

Legacy NamaHounds joined NamaFest two years in a row!

Mariko-san and Kenta-san at the Japan Prestige Sake booth.

DJ Jody kept the rain away with his spring beats.

Snagged it! Narutotai LED Nigori Nama was the most sought after bottle as it sold out mid-way through the event.

Taking a moment to relax with friends between sips.

Freshman attendee that we hope to see again next year!

We are so thankful to our sake community here in the Bay Area. Not only did you show up, you were courteous, all smiles, and just down to have a good time. A special thank you to our vendors as well, who came from all over the country and from Japan. Their dedication to bring in fresh namas every year makes this special event possible. And last but not least, Kayoko and I are so thankful of our hardworking staff and volunteers. It takes a village to put on NamaFest and we're grateful for it.