Regional beverage and food festivals announced for Okinawa and Gunma

Various regional food and beverage festivals are scheduled to take place in Japan.

In Okinawa, the Okinawa Prefecture Sake Brewers Cooperative will host the ‘Uminokuni Kusu (aged Awamori) Gratitude Festival’ on September 18 and 19, 2026, at Palette Kumoji Ooyane Hiroba. The event celebrates the cooperative’s 50th anniversary and will feature tastings of long-aged awamori, including 10-year aged varieties, at special prices. A commemorative bottle, the ‘Shurijo Castle Reconstruction Commemorative: Naha Nanakura-no-Kusu’, will also be available for sale.

In Gunma, the ‘KANPAI! GUNMA 2026’ festival is set for September 25 and 26, 2026, at G Messe Gunma. This event brings together local sake breweries, craft beers, and wines. This year’s festival features a collaboration with the 10th annual ‘Gunma Meat Festival,’ offering pairings of local alcohol with meat dishes from approximately 40 gourmet booths. The event includes seminars by brewers, live music, and assistance from ‘local sake concierges’ to help attendees find preferred brands.