CAIRNS SAKE AWARD
Our story
CAIRNS SAKE AWARDS
Sake is creating a new bridge between Japan and Australia.
The distribution of Japanese food products in Australia has developed primarily in Sydney and Melbourne.
However, many possibilities still lie ahead.
Cairns, known as one of the world's leading tourist cities, has deep ties to Japan. Many Japanophiles live there, and there is a high level of interest in Japanese culture. Numerous Japan-Australia exchange events are held, mainly through the Australia-Japan Society.
Among them, the "Bon Dance," held annually, is a popular Japanese cultural event in Cairns, attracting around 15,000 visitors.
At this time when interest in Japanese culture is at its highest, a new sake competition, "CAIRNS SAKE AWARDS," will be launched in 2026 with the cooperation of the Australia-Japan Society.
The venue will be a highly popular Japanese restaurant in Australia, run by members of the Australia-Japan Society.
The judging panel includes members of the Australia-Japan Society, local distributors, and members of JFGA (Japan Food Gateway Australia), which supports the export of Japanese food products, and they will evaluate the products from the perspective of the local market.
The CAIRNS SAKE AWARDS is more than just a competition.
This platform aims to create new connections between businesses, distributors, and Japanese restaurants that handle sake locally, and to spread Japanese food culture in Australia through sake.
Beyond Sydney and Melbourne, we're heading to new markets.
Connecting Japanese sake breweries with the people of Australia through sake.
The CAIRNS SAKE AWARDS will begin a new challenge from Cairns, aiming to promote the future of sake and the development of food culture exchange between Japan and Australia.
[Cairns SAKE AWARD 2026 - Entries Now Open]
Bringing the charm of Japanese sake from Cairns, Australia, to the world.
Cairns is home to many Japanophiles, and its Japanese cultural event, "Bon Dance," attracts approximately 15,000 visitors every year.
At this time of heightened interest in Japanese culture, we will be holding the "Cairns SAKE AWARD 2026" in cooperation with the Australia-Japan Friendship Association.
[Event Overview]
Date:
Monday, August 17, 2026
venue:
Cairns, Australia
Popular local Japanese restaurants
[Judges]
- Member of the Australia-Japan Friendship Association
• JFGA members
• Local distributor
・People involved in the Japanese food industry
[Target Applicants]
Japanese sake produced by sake breweries within Japan
(Applicable to all categories, including Junmai sake, Ginjo sake, Daiginjo sake, sparkling sake, etc.)
[Application Deadline]
Until July 31, 2026
This award is not just a contest.
This is an international project aimed at increasing awareness in the Australian market, creating connections with local buyers and distributors, and promoting Japanese sake culture.
We welcome sake breweries looking to venture into new markets.
[Organizer]
JFGA (Japan Food Gateway Australia)
[Co-sponsored by]
Actible Nagasaki
【cooperation】
Australia-Japan Friendship Association
Australia Japan Society in FNQ (Cairns)
Bringing Japanese sake to the world.
Towards a new bridge connecting Japan and Australia.
A business matching event will also be held at the same time.
On the same day as the Cairns SAKE AWARD 2026, a Japanese food business matching event will also be held at the same venue.
This business matching event will provide an opportunity to directly showcase the appeal of Japanese food products to Australian buyers, distributors, restaurant owners, retailers, and other stakeholders.
Japanese sake, of course,
·Matcha
・Organic tea
Organic food
·seasoning
Dried noodles
Confectionery
Fermented foods
This includes Japanese food products that are in high demand in the Australian market.
Furthermore, Cairns is one of the world's leading tourist cities and attracts visitors from many different countries.
This business matching event is not merely an exhibition; it is being held as a practical business matching forum aimed at creating connections with local markets and developing sales channels.
In addition to exhibiting your sake, you can also participate in trade shows.
Businesses considering entering the Australian market should definitely take advantage of this opportunity.
Event Overview
Date and time: Monday, August 17, 2026
Venue: Japanese restaurant in Cairns city
Target: Japanese sake, matcha, organic foods, seasonings, dried noodles, confectionery, and other Japanese foods.
* We also offer a trade show exhibition plan for businesses that have submitted products to the Cairns SAKE AWARD.
1. Taking the first step into the Australian market
This is a valuable opportunity to directly appeal to local buyers, distributors, and food and beverage industry professionals.
This can lead to the development of new sales channels and opportunities for export.
2. The trust and publicity generated by winning an award.
Winning an award or receiving a prize is a great way to promote yourself both domestically and internationally.
It can also be used to enhance the brand value of sake breweries and for sales promotion activities.
3. The value of being a "sake brewery recognized overseas."
The recognition received from Australian judges will add another layer to the brand's story.
By communicating our efforts to expand overseas, we can further enhance the appeal of our products and brewery.
