[1-Day Event: Feb. 11th] Kumaya Brewery New Sake Festival

If you’re interested in seeing an unusual side of Japanese food and drink culture, you should check out a sake brewer’s new sake festival. This event marks the end of a brewery’s sake-making season and celebrates the upcoming year for the sale of a brewery’s products.

The lineup at the sales table (photo by the author, taken in a previous year).

Much of the sake brewed in Okayama Prefecture is made from omachi rice, a special strain of rice used in brewing, and this rice yields a fruity and slightly sweet sake. The sake made at Kumaya Brewery are easy to drink and among my favorites produced in Okayama.

The new sake festival at Kumaya is fun, lively, and a great place to make new friends. The company president, head brewer, and main staff work at the festival and are friendly to guests. It’s one of the most fun brewery festivals in the area! I highly recommend stopping by this festival if you like Japanese sake, want to try it, or are interested in Japanese sake.

The author with the brewery president, sake writer Maki, an acquaintance and staff person at a festival held in a previous year.

◆ Date & Time: February 11, 2024; 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

◆ Location: See map below. A free shuttle is available to and from JR Chayamachi Station, and a free bus to & from JR Kurashiki Station (see the flyer below for times).

◆ Fee: Free-of-charge, but bring money for food, drinks, and shopping

◆ Other info: Please wear comfortable and warm clothing, and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty (the venue may be muddy).

◆ For more information, click here: https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/event/14706
(You may want to use an extension to translate pages in Japanese.)