Drink Japan returns to London for a third year on 25 and 26 September, bringing Japanese drinks, food and culture to The Lindley Hall. Visitors can sample hundreds of drinks and food products, meet producers and experts, and buy selected products directly from exhibitors.
The 2026 edition adds a Government of Japan-sponsored Spirits of Japan zone, with shochu tastings, cocktail workshops and awamori from Okinawan distilleries. Eat Tokyo will also serve freshly prepared Japanese dishes during the event.
Sessions and programme
Public sessions are advertised as Friday 25 September, 17:00–21:00; Saturday 26 September, 12:00–16:00; and Saturday 26 September, 17:00–21:00. The Friday 25 September, 12:00–16:00 session is labelled Trade only by the organiser. Eventbrite displays Friday afternoon ticket tiers, so check the organiser or ticket seller directly if you need to establish eligibility for that session.
The new complimentary masterclasses are registered for at the ticket gate on the day. The provisional timetable includes sake, awamori and Japanese tea sessions on the Main Hall Stage, including Sake Unlocked – Taste, Pair, Discover, The Spirit of Okinawa: Discover the World of Awamori, Beyond Matcha: A Modern Japanese Tea Experience by AWAIDO, and a WSET sake masterclass.
The performance programme includes Japanese opera singers Nozomi Fukushima and Takumi Torio, with taiko drummers led by Joji Hirota. The published provisional schedule includes opera and taiko performances across Friday and Saturday, with times listed on the organiser’s performance page.
Tickets and practical information
The organiser lists public tickets from £17.50 to £35. Eventbrite currently shows session-specific tiers and fees, including a listed 2-for-1 offer, so check the live selector for the exact session, fee treatment and remaining availability. Tickets are for one session, must be booked in advance and cannot be transferred to another session. Eventbrite states that the event is strictly over 18 and offers refunds up to seven days before the event.
Trade entry is complimentary for trade professionals who register online using professional details and present business cards on arrival for a Trade Badge. The organiser says trade is welcome with the public during the Friday evening and both Saturday sessions.
No animals are permitted except guide dogs, and outside food or beverages cannot be brought into the venue. Event-specific parking, accessibility arrangements, carer entry, quiet-space provision, bag rules and arrival guidance are not currently published. Contact the organiser before travelling if you need those details.
See the official Drink Japan site, ticket information, Eventbrite listing, masterclass timetable, performance schedule and Spirits of Japan programme for current updates.
Cover image
Original AI-generated thematic illustration. It does not depict the actual event, its organisers or its exhibitors.