2020 Update: According to the festival’s Facebook Page, due to Covid-19 concerns, the 2020 festival has been cancelled. Originally planned for July 17th - 26th (a week early, maybe to minimize overlap with the Olympics), the festival was to be postponed until autumn, but was finally cancelled August 20th.

地ビールフェスト甲府: The Kofu Craft Beer Festival, also called the Kraft Bier Fest in Kofu, brings together nearby merchants from all over Japan. Put down a deposit on a glass and taste what local Yamanashi and Nagano breweries have to offer. Or sample breweries that have come from Tokyo or Osaka. There’s a selection of food for sharing and wine and whiskey. A house band plays most of the day and there are special performances as well. It’s one of the most fun, and friendliest, festivals of the year.

When: For ten days, usually starting the last weekend in July. Weekdays 16:30 - 21:00, weekends 11:30 - 21:00.

Where: 甲府駅北口 よっちゃ ばれ広場, Yocchabare Park at the north exit of Kofu Station.

Costs: A ¥1000 deposit on your drinking glass, which is refundable. Just don’t break it or forget to return it. Large beers average about ¥1000. Food about ¥500 - ¥1500 per plate. Cash payment, no coupons, and so far no cashless payment.

Links: Festival Webpage (Japanese), Location Webpage (Japanese), Festival Instagram

Other: Though it’s a beer festival, it’s a very family-friendly event.