【June 6-7】The 6th Bichu Local Sake Festival SAKE-be!! - A two-day event where Bichu's sake breweries and food gather in Kurashiki is coming again this year.

Do you have a favorite local sake?

Among the approximately 30 sake breweries in Okayama Prefecture, about half of them are located in the Bichu region, which is truly a sake-producing area of Okayama Prefecture.

An event perfect for those who want to try various local sake and find their favorite will be held on June 6 (Saturday) and 7 (Sunday), 2026, at Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City.

What is the "6th Enjoy Bichu Local Sake Festival SAKEbe!!"

The Enjoy Bichu Local Sake Festival SAKEbe!! is a paid tasting event designed to introduce and allow local people to enjoy Bichu's local sake.

On June 6 (Saturday) and 7 (Sunday), 2026, 16 breweries and distilleries from Bichu, including Kurashiki, along with 16 restaurants, as well as shops selling cakes, crepes, coffee, and sake vessels will gather at Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City.

Please note that the opening hours differ: on the first day, it will be from 11 AM to 5 PM, and on the second day, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Admission is free on both days.
There will also be a stage program, allowing you to enjoy music while swaying with delicious local sake and food.

One more brewery will participate this time!

This time, in addition to the revival of Marumoto Shuzo, which had taken a break from participating last time, HOIDA CRAFT, which was established in 2024 in Mabi, Kurashiki City, will participate for the first time.

HOIDA CRAFT plans to sell liqueurs and amazake made with plenty of local fruits, so even those who don't usually drink sake may find more accessible drinks.

Please check the following image for details on the participating vendors.

At the food and drink booths, you can only enjoy sake served in tasting cups. Please remember to take home any purchased bottles of sake.

New paid seating for dining!

The dining area at the venue will have tents set up, providing an environment where you can enjoy food and drinks even in hot sunshine or rainy weather. Additionally, this time, paid seating for a more relaxed dining experience will be available for 40 people at each session.

• June 6 (Saturday)
  Session 1: 11 AM - 2 PM
  Session 2: 2 PM - 5 PM
• June 7 (Sunday)
  Session 1: 10 AM - 1 PM
  Session 2: 1 PM - 4 PM

The fee is 1,000 yen per person, which includes one cup of local sake (free for elementary school students and younger), and it is available for groups of two or more.

If you wish to use this service, please pick up a numbered ticket at the entrance to the paid seating area, which will be distributed 15 minutes before each session starts.

Interview with the event organizer, Nakahara Kazuo

I spoke with the event organizer, Nakahara Kazuo, about the highlights of this year's event.

Last year's 5th event had about 7,500 attendees, right?

Nakahara (no honorific)

Fortunately, the number of participants has been increasing every year.
Initially, I expected it to be an event for adults who love sake, but recently, we have seen many families coming with children and pets.

Since it is an outdoor event, pets can be brought along, and with the stage programs and food options, it seems that children can also enjoy themselves.

I believe that the best sake is the one enjoyed with laughter and joy, so it makes me very happy to see families enjoying the event with smiles.

Moreover, I am very grateful that repeat visitors who come every year are inviting friends who have never attended this event before.

What are the highlights of this year's event?

Nakahara

This time, we will have paid seating, which was highly requested by attendees.
If you want to enjoy food and drinks in a more relaxed atmosphere, please take advantage of it.

Additionally, some breweries will offer limited edition sake that can only be tasted at this event. There will also be original menu items available only on this day, making it an event where you can enjoy unique food that you can't find anywhere else.

What is your recommended way to enjoy the event?

Nakahara

With 16 breweries from the Bichu region participating, you are sure to find a brewery from your local area or neighborhood. I want as many people as possible to know that delicious sake is being made locally.

If you find a sake you like during the tasting, you can also purchase bottles to take home, so please continue to support your favorite breweries even after the event ends.

Additionally, the event will end in the evening on both days.
There are many wonderful restaurants along the way from Geibunkan Hall to JR Kurashiki Station. Of course, there are also places that serve local sake from Bichu, so it's recommended to enjoy a drink while heading home.

Please send a message to the readers

Nakahara

This event allows you to enjoy your time at the venue while supporting local sake from Bichu.
It is held with the hope that even one more person will come to know and take pride in the local sake breweries.

Tasting starts at 300 yen for 60cc. It's a manageable amount even for those who don't usually drink sake, so please feel free to come by.

We sincerely look forward to your visit.

Conclusion

I have been looking forward to participating in this event every year since the 4th.

Not only can you enjoy delicious local sake and food, but you can also talk directly with the sake brewers, which is an attractive aspect as they can share their recommended ways to enjoy the sake.

Additionally, at the venue, there are many sake vessels from artists, including students from Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, and thinking about how to drink the sake you purchase is one of the joys.

Since June has no public holidays, why not enjoy delicious local sake and flavors from noon on the weekends?

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