Kampai Toronto 2025

On June 12th, "Kampai Toronto", Canada's largest sake event, hosted by the Sake Institute of Ontario (SIO) was held in Toronto with over 50 sake breweries.
 
The annual Kampai Toronto boasts a history since its inception in 2012. This time, Dr. George Soleas, LCBO President and CEO participated in the event. In his opening remarks, Dr Soleas shared his appreciation for the profound values of quality sakes, the significance of traditional sake-making methods, as well as the locality and stories associated with them. Later he toured the event venue and sampled sake from the participating breweries. 
 
Ambassador Yamanouchi Kanji flew from Ottawa to join the event, and expressed that he was overwhelmed with gratitude by the high level of interest in sake among Canadians and hoped that sake would continue to flourish in Canada. 
 
Consul-General Matsunaga, who spoke at the opening, emphasized the significance of the inscription of the “traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, praised SIO's efforts to promote sake in the province, and thanked the LCBO's ongoing expansion of the number of East Asian Destination Collection outlets, catering to the fast-growing demand for sake in Ontario.