Umekoji Park, Kyoto

There’s been a lack of major alcohol events in Kyoto since the pandemic, and this inaugural sake and beer festival aims to change that. Known as 'Kome to Mugi' in Japanese, the Rice & Barley Festival will bring together 14 sake and 14 craft beer breweries from across Japan, accompanied by ten popular Kyoto-based restaurants. Held at the Shichijo Entrance Square of Umekoji Park, the event offers free entry, with drink tickets priced at ¥200 each. You can also purchase an advance ticket package at ¥2,700. It comes with a sake tasting glass, a beer cup, a glass holder and ¥2,000 worth of drink tickets. Participating sake breweries include Matsui Shuzo from Kyoto, Miyoshino Shuzo from Nara, Otsuka Shuzo from Gifu, and Akishika Shuzo from Osaka. As for the craft beer, you can expect Woodmill Brewery Kyoto, Yellow Beer Works from Fukushima, Gangi Brewing from Niigata, and Free Spirits Brewing from Hyogo, just to name a few.