Top 50 Sake & Drinks Influencers in Japan to Know in 2026

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 10 November 2025 (YouTube).

The channel has 31.8K YouTube subscribers and, as its name says, covers pairings of sake and shochu with snacks (sakana). Its viewers are drinkers who want to know what to eat with a given bottle, which suits brands whose product is defined by the table it sits on.

Affiliation: Tenryohai Shuzo (per the channel description) · Last post: 3 October 2026 (YouTube).

Senichi Kato runs a “Sake University” channel with 12K YouTube subscribers, explaining sake and how it is made. The channel description states that Kato is the president of Tenryohai Shuzo, so the brewery’s own sake is part of the picture for any brand considering a collaboration.

Affiliation: Sakura Shuten, which runs the minus 5°C sake shop Reika (per the channel description) · Last post: 7 October 2026 (X).

Known as the “Sake Prince”, Yuichi Kondo has 11K YouTube subscribers. Videos introduce sake bottles from the channel’s Gifu shop, which keeps its stock at minus 5°C. As a retailer the shop sells the brands discussed, a useful fact for any brewery weighing a placement.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 1 October 2026 (YouTube).

Akiko Tomoda, known as Akko-sensei (“Teacher Akko”), runs a channel with 6.16K YouTube subscribers titled as a sake and wine consultation room. The channel is linked to a group for women who enjoy sake, and courses and consultations are offered alongside the videos.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 4 October 2026 (YouTube).

Oishii Shochu FUN!! is a channel devoted to shochu, reviewing individual bottles, with 1.14K YouTube subscribers, 1,349 Instagram followers and 929 on X. It is a small account whose audience is made up of people who already follow shochu closely.

Affiliation: Independent; runs the online shop SAKE AKI’S STORE · Last post: 8 October 2026 (Instagram).

Aki Yoshikawa presents herself as a “sake joshi” (sake girl) and teaches sake through video lessons, with 22K Instagram followers. Her channel description announces the opening of her own online sake shop, SAKE AKI’S STORE, so she sells the type of product she discusses.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (Instagram).

Reina has 8,361 Instagram followers. The display name includes kikisake-shi (certified sake sommelier), and the profile describes sake, food and sake-related travel. The account is active, with a post as recent as 8 October 2026.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (X).

Abechan introduces sake in a relaxed evening-drink (banshaku) style, with 28.9K TikTok followers and 12.0K on X. The TikTok account is named for the “Abe’s banshaku” format. The Instagram account has 3,871 followers; its latest post dates from December 2024.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 27 September 2026 (YouTube).

Serjio runs a highball and whisky channel with 131K YouTube subscribers, 21K Instagram followers and 9,382 on X, all under the handle serjiowhisky. The self-description is “home-drinking craftsman” (“ie-nomi shokunin”), and the content centres on whisky and highballs made at home.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

Mossan Highball Club has 49.5K YouTube subscribers and focuses on highballs and whisky, mixing live streams with reviews under the hashtag #ハイクラ.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (X).

Ore no Malt (“My Malt”) has 28.2K YouTube subscribers, plus 5,876 Instagram followers and 3,012 on X. It reviews whisky bottle by bottle, comparing labels, and runs a companion whisky blog.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

Anrai presents herself as a whisky-loving office worker (“whisky OL”) and has 17.8K YouTube subscribers, 6,572 followers on X and 2,319 on Instagram. Her videos are built around toasting with viewers, giving whisky an after-work, approachable tone.

Affiliation: Independent (Hatsugai) · Last post: 4 October 2026 (YouTube).

Whisky Roundup is run by Hatsugai and turns general whisky topics into video, with 17.4K YouTube subscribers, 6,372 Instagram followers and 4,163 on TikTok.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 7 October 2026 (YouTube).

Maeda Highball is a channel about highballs and whisky, with 13.9K YouTube subscribers. Videos give quick takes on newly released whiskies, preview distilleries and whisky facilities before a visit, and show whisky outdoors. New videos go up every Friday.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 7 October 2026 (YouTube).

Ao runs a craft gin channel framed as a 365-day gin encyclopedia, with 4.29K YouTube subscribers and 1,108 followers on X. Craft gin is the channel’s main subject.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 27 September 2026 (Instagram).

Mamoru Tsuchiya has 5,487 Instagram followers. The profile describes Tsuchiya as a writer, journalist and whisky critic.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

The channel has 53.9K YouTube subscribers. It is a video channel on wine and food presented from a sommelier’s point of view, and the name refers to a fussy palate. The audience is drinkers who want a clear opinion on a bottle and what to eat with it. The creator also posts on Instagram and TikTok.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 3 October 2026 (Instagram).

Marin has 50.9K YouTube subscribers. She is a woman in her forties who drinks natural wine and talks about it on camera, and describes herself as an enthusiast without wine qualifications. The channel suits viewers who want an ordinary drinker’s reactions rather than a specialist’s verdict.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 9 August 2026 (YouTube).

The channel has 27.9K YouTube subscribers. Aoike, described as a sommelier in the channel profile, explains wine in simple terms for beginners. Viewers are people starting out with wine who want a lesson they can follow.

Affiliation: Home Wine · Last post: 5 October 2026 (X).

Sasaki has 15.5K YouTube subscribers. The channel introduces wine regions and individual labels, and the channel name carries the sommelier title. According to the channel description Sasaki is also involved in running a wine school operated by Home Wine, a fact relevant to other wine-education brands.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

Ayu has 10.2K YouTube subscribers. The channel profile describes fifteen years working in restaurants and a role as a sommelier, and the channel is pitched as a personal sommelier for viewers. Ayu recommends wines by price range for people choosing a bottle to buy. Posts also appear on Instagram and X.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 1 October 2026 (YouTube).

Yoto has 249K YouTube subscribers. The channel profile describes a former bartender with experience in Japan and Spain, and the videos cover drinks and cocktails, with the catchphrase “IDKP”. The audience is viewers who follow alcohol and cocktail content on YouTube. The creator also has an Instagram account.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

Master Ietsune has 156K YouTube subscribers. According to the channel description the host is a bartender who runs a drinks course, and the channel covers alcohol basics and bottles sold at discount retailers, sorted by occasion. The audience is ordinary drinkers choosing what to buy. Instagram is also used.

Affiliation: Bar Peace Street · Last post: 3 October 2026 (YouTube).

Soheiman has 62.1K YouTube subscribers. The channel description names Soheiman as the owner of Bar Peace Street, who develops and sells a craft cola. The videos explain cocktails from behind the bar. The audience is viewers who want recipes and bar stories from a working bartender.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

CRAZY BARTENDER KEN has 32.5K YouTube subscribers. The host presents as a bartender and posts cocktail videos. There is also an Instagram account.

Affiliation: BAR Nekomataya · Last post: 1 October 2026 (YouTube).

Arai has 28K YouTube subscribers. The channel description names Arai as the owner-bartender of BAR Nekomataya in Tochigi, and posts appear on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. The audience is viewers who follow a working bartender’s cocktails and bar life.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 7 October 2026 (YouTube).

Okkun no Takunomi Gourmet is a home-drinking channel with 415K YouTube subscribers. It explores which snacks go with beer and other evening drinks, and its audience is viewers who drink at home. An X account (15.6K followers) runs alongside the channel. Food takes a large share of each video.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

Satochin makes banshaku (evening drink) content with 38.3K YouTube subscribers. The videos show the evening drink and the snacks served with it. The same handle, banshaku310, is used on Instagram, X and TikTok; the YouTube, Instagram and X accounts have all posted in recent weeks.

Affiliation: Philocoffea (representative) · Last post: 7 October 2026 (YouTube).

Tetsu Kasuya has 192K YouTube subscribers and explains home brewing methods and recipes such as ice-extracted coffee. The channel description lists a World Brewers Cup 2016 title. Kasuya is the representative of Philocoffea, which sells its own coffee brand and runs seminars and a membership programme.

Affiliation: LIGHT UP COFFEE (representative) · Last post: 3 October 2026 (YouTube).

Yuma Kawano has 78.5K YouTube subscribers. Kawano is the representative of LIGHT UP COFFEE, a Tokyo specialty coffee shop, and the videos cover buying green beans, roasting, and coffee cultivation in Bali and Vietnam. The shop also sells its own coffee beans.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

Shoya Yamashita, who goes by LEGEND, has 56.6K YouTube subscribers. The channel description says LEGEND has 16 years in the coffee industry, and the videos explain home barista technique, latte art and running a café.

Affiliation: Red Stone Coffee (owner) · Last post: 29 September 2026 (Instagram).

Masaya Akaishi is the owner of Red Stone Coffee and has 44.8K YouTube subscribers. The videos cover Italian-style espresso and latte art, including how to brew on a home machine. The business sells its own coffee beans through its shop.

Affiliation: Hitsuji Coffee (representative) · Last post: 5 October 2026 (YouTube).

Omori is the representative of Hitsuji Coffee and has 40.7K YouTube subscribers. The videos take a scientific approach to how brewing method, equipment and roasting change the taste of coffee. Hitsuji Coffee is the creator’s own business.

Affiliation: JUKUCY COFFEE ROASTERS · Last post: 30 September 2026 (Instagram).

Tomoya runs Tomoya’s Coffee Juku, with 31.4K YouTube subscribers, explaining brewing methods, equipment, beans and trade background in a lesson format. The channel description lists a J.C.Q.A. Coffee Instructor Grade 1 qualification. Tomoya operates JUKUCY COFFEE ROASTERS, which roasts and sells its own coffee.

Affiliation: 27 COFFEE ROASTERS · Last post: 7 October 2026 (YouTube).

Kohtsu Kasai has 21.8K YouTube subscribers. The channel description presents Kasai as a coffee buyer, and the videos explain how beans are chosen and how the coffee trade works. Kasai is with 27 COFFEE ROASTERS, which sells its own roasted coffee. The channel began publishing in September 2025.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 7 October 2026 (X).

Yuta Takahashi has 15.3K YouTube subscribers and makes enthusiast-level coffee explainers on espresso, roasting and equipment. Takahashi also posts on X (3,109 followers), and the latest YouTube upload is dated 12 July 2026.

Affiliation: Bespoke Coffee Roasters (freelance roaster) · Last post: 6 October 2026 (X).

Daiki Hatakeyama is a roaster and barista with 14.3K YouTube subscribers and 13K on Instagram. The channel description lists wins at the SCAJ Japan Hand Drip Championship and the Japan Brewers Cup. Hatakeyama roasts for Bespoke Coffee Roasters, which sells coffee beans.

Affiliation: ELEPHANT COFFEE · Last post: 1 September 2026 (YouTube).

Yoshinori Imamura has 14.3K YouTube subscribers. Imamura runs ELEPHANT COFFEE, a specialty café in Fukuoka, and also offers support for people opening cafés. The videos cover latte art, espresso and the practical side of starting a café. The channel description lists a top-four finish at a world latte art championship.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (Instagram).

Kenken Coffee is a coffee enthusiast’s channel built around equipment and bean reviews, with 58.7K YouTube subscribers. It speaks to home brewers comparing gear, and the Instagram account adds a further 42K followers who follow the same brewing content.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

This creator describes themselves as a coffee enthusiast and presents coffee at camp sites and in daily life in a pop, light-hearted style. The YouTube channel has 52.6K subscribers, reaching viewers who enjoy outdoor and home coffee.

Affiliation: Independent (individual blogger) · Last post: 2 October 2026 (YouTube).

Hiro runs the coffee blog every coffee and the matching YouTube channel, which has 36.3K subscribers. The videos give introductory explanations of hand drip, grinders and roasting, aimed at people starting out with coffee at home.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 8 October 2026 (YouTube).

COFFEE SAMURAI is a one-person coffee video channel that has published since 2009, covering hand drip, espresso and equipment reviews, with 16K YouTube subscribers. The channel description states that it holds a continuous-posting record from the Japan Record Certification Association.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 26 September 2026 (Instagram).

Iwaken posts as a home barista (おうちバリスタ) on Instagram, with 19K followers, and on TikTok. The content covers how to enjoy coffee at home, roasting and basic knowledge for beginners.

Affiliation: Independent (two-person team) · Last post: 18 September 2026 (YouTube).

Tokyo Café Channel is run by two café-loving office workers who visit and review cafés around Tokyo. The YouTube channel has 209K subscribers, and the Instagram account has 21K followers.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 7 October 2026 (YouTube).

Namake Kitchen shares home recipes for café-style drinks and sweets, with 23.3K YouTube subscribers. It reaches viewers who want to make café-style drinks in their own kitchen.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 2 October 2026 (YouTube).

Mii reviews new and seasonal black teas and suggests ways to enjoy tea time, with 19.4K YouTube subscribers. The channel profile lists a Japan Tea Association certified tea adviser qualification.

Affiliation: Independent (married couple) · Last post: 20 September 2026 (YouTube).

A married couple tour cafés and kissaten across Tokyo in vlog format, with 19.4K YouTube subscribers. Its videos introduce cafés to visit in the city.

Affiliation: tea attend · Last post: 6 October 2026 (Instagram).

Junjun is a black tea instructor who explains for beginners how to bring tea into everyday life, with 9.44K YouTube subscribers. According to the channel description, the instructor also runs tea lessons.

Affiliation: Independent · Last post: 6 October 2026 (YouTube).

SAMURAI CHAJIN presents Japanese tea experiences and knowledge mainly in English, framed as an online tea theme park. The YouTube channel has 9.12K subscribers, suited to overseas viewers new to Japanese tea.

Affiliation: And Tei · Last post: 9 September 2026 (Instagram).

Kurahashi is a Japanese tea barista who explains how to brew Japanese tea, with 21K Instagram followers. Kurahashi owns And Tei, a shop in Kinshicho, Tokyo, and the profile lists a Japanese tea barista credential.