"WATTA Okinawa Sakura & Yamagata Cherry," the third release in the "MEET! WATTA" series from Orion Beer's chuhai brand WATTA, is going on sale in limited quantities. It will be available in Okinawa Prefecture, some areas outside the prefecture, and through Orion Beer's official online store from Tuesday, November 17, 2026, and nationwide from Tuesday, January 26, 2027.
About the "MEET! WATTA" Series
WATTA is a popular Orion chuhai brand with a distinctive lineup made from carefully selected Okinawa-grown ingredients. "MEET! WATTA" is a series built around the "encounter" between Okinawa and appealing ingredients from across Japan, offering new flavors that haven't been tasted before.
Okinawa's Earliest Cherry Blossoms Meet Yamagata's Signature Cherries
For the third release, the series pairs Okinawa's Kanhizakura, which announces the arrival of spring earlier than anywhere else in Japan, with Sato Nishiki, a variety representative of Yamagata Prefecture, a renowned cherry-growing region.
- Sato Nishiki: Developed in Yamagata Prefecture in 1912, this variety is known for its good balance of high sugar content and moderate acidity, and is loved as a cherry whose sweetness stands out.
- Kanhizakura: Known as the cherry blossom that blooms earliest in Japan, it produces deep crimson, bell-shaped flowers and is a symbol of early spring in Okinawa.
What to Expect from the Flavor
WATTA Okinawa Sakura & Yamagata Cherry uses a sakura blossom–infused liquor made by steeping Okinawa-grown Kanhizakura to slowly draw out its fragrance. Its sweet, refreshing aroma recalls sakura mochi, and it is layered with the juicy fruitiness and sweet-tart flavor of Yamagata-grown Sato Nishiki cherries. The result is a drink that lets you enjoy both the charm of sakura blossoms and the charm of cherries at once.
The liquid is a pale pink, fitting for spring. Along with the aroma, fruitiness, and refreshing drinkability, its appearance gives a taste of spring ahead of the season.
Product Details
Product Name: WATTA Okinawa Sakura & Yamagata Cherry (WATTA 沖縄の桜＆山形さくらんぼ)
Release Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2027 (on sale in Okinawa Prefecture and some areas outside the prefecture from November 2026)
Category: Liqueur (sparkling)
Ingredients: Cherry juice, vodka, sakura blossom–infused liquor, sugars (domestically produced) / carbonation, acidulant, flavoring, vegetable pigment
Alcohol Content: 4%
Volume: 350ml can
Sales Area: Nationwide and via Orion Beer's official online store
Price: Open price
Brand Website (updated November 17): https://www.orionbeer.co.jp/brand/watta/
Official Online Store (available from November 17): https://shop.orionbeer.co.jp/products/5264
"Enjoy Okinawa's Sakura!" Campaign
To coincide with the release, a campaign is being held together with "Orion Ichiban Sakura" (オリオン いちばん桜), a winter-limited beer that also uses Okinawa-grown cherry blossoms. The two products share Okinawa's cherry blossoms as a common theme.
Campaign Name: Enjoy Okinawa's Sakura! Campaign (沖縄の桜を楽しもう！キャンペーン)
Receipt Validity Period: Sunday, November 1, 2026 to Friday, March 26, 2027
Application Deadline: Friday, March 26, 2027 (for mailed entries, postmarks on that day are valid)
Eligibility: Residents of Japan aged 20 or older. Prizes can only be delivered within Japan.
Eligible Products: 350ml and 500ml cans of Orion beer-type beverages, RTD (ready-to-drink) products, and non-alcoholic products (including Asahi Orion products), as long as the purchase includes at least one can of either "Orion Ichiban Sakura" (350ml or 500ml) or "WATTA Okinawa Sakura & Yamagata Cherry" (350ml). Limited-edition beer-type, RTD, and non-alcoholic products sold during the campaign period are also eligible.
Prizes and Entry Conditions
- Prize A: Yakiniku set of your choice of "Motobu beef" or "Yonezawa beef" (20 winners). Enter with a receipt showing a purchase of 1,000 yen or more of eligible products, including at least one "Orion Ichiban Sakura" or "WATTA Okinawa Sakura & Yamagata Cherry."
- Prize B: Assorted set of 6 cans of "Orion Ichiban Sakura" (350ml) and 6 cans of "WATTA Okinawa Sakura & Yamagata Cherry" (350ml) (100 winners). Enter with a receipt showing a purchase of at least one "Orion Ichiban Sakura" or "WATTA Okinawa Sakura & Yamagata Cherry."
How to Enter: Online or by mail. Receipts can be combined, and no one can win more than one prize.
