Japan Brewers’ Cup 2026

Japan Brewers’ Cup 2026

Japan Brewers’ Cup 2026 runs from Friday, 6 February to Sunday, 8 February 2026 in Yokohama, combining a pro-brewer judged competition with a public craft beer festival where guests can taste from around 200 beer varieties. If you love travel that’s built around local flavor, this event is a perfect winter weekend in the Tokyo area: seaside city views, Japanese hospitality, and three days where the country’s craft beer scene takes center stage.

What is Japan Brewers’ Cup?

Japan Brewers’ Cup is both a beer competition and a beer festival, and that dual identity is part of what makes it special. According to the official English information page, the competition is judged by brewers, and the public festival follows, where guests can drink from the craft beers being showcased while the competition results and awards are announced during the festival. In practical terms, you get the best of both worlds: serious brewing credibility plus an energetic festival atmosphere for beer lovers.

For visitors, this feels different from a typical tasting event. You’re not only sampling random taps, you’re entering a space shaped by brewer standards and industry pride, which often pushes breweries to bring standout pours and crowd-pleasers alike. Add Yokohama’s waterfront setting, and it becomes a travel-worthy event even if you’re already planning a Tokyo trip.

Confirmed 2026 dates, schedule, and venue

The official Japan Brewers’ Cup English page confirms the 2026 festival schedule as:

• Fri, Feb 6: 4 pm to 10 pm
• Sat, Feb 7: 11 am to 9 pm
• Sun, Feb 8: 11 am to 7 pm

The same page confirms the venue as Yokohama Osanbashi Hall. This is a key planning detail because Osanbashi is not just “some hall” in Yokohama, it’s a famous harbor-side location that makes the festival feel like a destination rather than an indoor trade show.

Several event guides also describe the weekend as Japan’s largest craft beer event and confirm the same date window, reinforcing February 6–8 as the core plan for travelers.

How the festival works: tickets, beer purchases, and entry rules

The official ticket information page explains that Japan Brewers’ Cup uses a date-specific admission ticket system, meaning you choose your day when you purchase and cannot change the date afterward. It also clearly states that the admission fee does not include beer, and that beer is purchased directly at brewery booths. This is important for visitors because it changes how you budget: admission gets you in, but your tasting spend depends on how curious you feel once you see the lineup.

The official rules also say that 15 years old and under (middle school age) can enter for free, while high school students and above pay the normal rate. Minors may enter, but Japan’s law prohibits drinking under 20, and the organizer notes alcohol will not be served to those under 20, with potential ID checks at entry.

Other useful operational details from the official ticket rules:

• Re-entry is allowed if you keep your wristband visible.
• Wristbands cannot be reissued if lost, and misuse can lead to removal and future bans.
• Food and alcohol cannot be brought in, but water and soft drinks are permitted.
• The event is all-standing, with no chairs provided.

For international travelers, these rules help you plan comfort. Wear comfortable shoes, plan short breaks outside the hall, and avoid overpacking since you’ll be standing and moving between booths.

Beer lineup and food: what’s confirmed for 2026

The official English info states the 2026 festival will feature 41 craft breweries, around 200 total varieties of beer, and 6–8 food vendors. It also notes that after entry, guests purchase beer directly from the breweries, keeping the festival experience brewer-led rather than centralized.

Food vendors are listed on the English page as well, including options like Charcoal Grill Green, Beer Bar Bouchere, and several others. This matters because great beer festivals are made or broken by the food situation, and Yokohama’s event aims to provide enough on-site options to keep your tasting day comfortable.

Ticket pricing: what’s available and what isn’t

Some event guides list ticket pricing ranges for admission, but the official English schedule page still shows “ADV ¥ / DOOR ¥” placeholders rather than final prices. The official Japanese ticket information page provides rules and entry conditions but does not publish the 2026 yen amounts in the excerpted section available here. Because of that, a single fully verified official price list cannot be confirmed in this response.

However, an event listing site reports admission pricing in the range of ¥800–¥1,500 and publishes day-by-day opening hours for February 6–8, 2026, which can be used as a directional reference while you verify final pricing via the official ticket page when it updates. For the most accurate numbers, check the official ticket page close to your booking date.

Why Yokohama is a great base for Japan Brewers’ Cup travelers

Yokohama is one of the easiest “add-on cities” to Tokyo travel. It offers a waterfront vibe, wide promenades, and a calmer pace than central Tokyo, which pairs perfectly with an afternoon festival plan.

A smart way to plan the weekend:

• Stay in Yokohama for one or two nights to minimize transit after tasting.
• Or stay in Tokyo and do Yokohama as a day trip, especially if you keep your drinking moderate and head back earlier.

The official ticket rules strongly discourage arriving by car, motorbike, or bicycle if you plan to drink, and also note that nearby parking is expected to be crowded, encouraging public transport instead. This is both a safety point and a practical one: public transport keeps the day stress-free.

How to enjoy Japan Brewers’ Cup like a local

A beer festival becomes more enjoyable when you plan your pacing. Since you’ll be buying beer per booth, start with smaller pours, rotate styles, and break up tasting with food.

A few festival-friendly tips inspired by the official rules:

• Bring a valid ID, especially if you look young, since age checks may happen.
• Avoid bringing food or alcohol into the venue, since it’s prohibited, but feel free to carry water.
• Keep your wristband secure, since replacements are not available.

Because the event is all-standing, plan short “reset” breaks. Step outside for fresh air, then come back in ready for your next round.

Verified Information at a glance

• Event name: JAPAN BREWERS CUP 2026
• Event category: Craft beer festival + brewers’ judged beer competition
• Confirmed city/area: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
• Confirmed venue: Yokohama Osanbashi Hall
• Confirmed dates: 6–8 February 2026
• Confirmed opening hours: Fri 4 pm–10 pm, Sat 11 am–9 pm, Sun 11 am–7 pm
• Confirmed scale (listed): 41 craft breweries, 200 beer varieties, 6–8 food vendors
• Ticketing system (confirmed): Date-specific admission tickets; date changes not allowed after purchase
• Beer purchasing (confirmed): Admission does not include beer; beer is purchased at brewery booths
• Age policy (confirmed): Under 20 cannot be served alcohol; 15 and under free entry; ID checks may occur
• Ticket price: Not finalized on the official pages in the excerpts shown here; some guides report approx. ¥800–¥1,500

If you’re planning Japan in February, carve out February 6–8, 2026 for Yokohama, step into Osanbashi Hall with an empty glass and an open mind, and let Japan Brewers’ Cup turn your trip into a three-day tasting adventure that’s as much about discovery as it is about beer.