Shochu & Awamori Festival

If you're looking for a change of pace from the seemingly endless parade of summer beer gardens, this should do the trick. Head to Shinagawa's TKP Garden City convention centre for a chance to sample 100-odd varieties of shochu and awamori, accompanied – bizarrely enough – with Italian food. There'll be two sessions on the day, starting from noon and 4.30pm, and visitors can opt either to buy an all-you-can-drink ticket or pay for their tipples separately.