With the start of the rainy season, the hot and humid days have begun.
When summer gets hot, nothing sounds better than an ice-cold beer trickling down the center of your body.
We heard that the beer garden at Kurashiki Ivy Square, a summer tradition in Kurashiki, has opened again this year, so we’ll share some recommended ways to enjoy it.
The information provided was current when this article was published in July 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024?
SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024 is a beer garden held at Kurashiki Ivy Square, adjacent to the Bikan Historical Area.
The event details are as follows:
| Dates | June 24 (Mon)–September 15 (Sun), 2024 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (last order at 8:30 p.m.) |
| Location | Kurashiki Ivy Square (Courtyard Plaza) |
| Price (tax included) | Adults: ¥4,500 Junior high and high school students: ¥2,500 Elementary school students: ¥1,500 Preschoolers (ages 3–5): ¥500 |
Apparently, it’s already so popular that Fridays and Saturdays through the end of July are fully booked.
Reservations are accepted through the official website and by phone.
A summer tradition in Kurashiki, held at Courtyard Plaza since Kurashiki Ivy Square opened
Beer gardens are often held on department store rooftops and similar venues, but at Kurashiki Ivy Square, they are held every year at Courtyard Plaza.
With green ivy set against red brick walls, this photogenic beer garden is a traditional event that has continued for 50 years since Kurashiki Ivy Square opened (though it was scaled back or canceled in some years due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Interview with the person in charge of SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024
We interviewed Yasuda Masaki, the person in charge of SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024, about the beer garden at Kurashiki Ivy Square, a summer tradition in Kurashiki.
Kurashiki Ivy Square holds its beer garden at Courtyard Plaza, right?
Yasuda (surname only hereafter)
Kurashiki Ivy Square has held its beer garden in this Courtyard Plaza ever since it opened in 1974. The beer garden was part of the plan from the construction stage, so the designer, Urabe Shizutaro, may have designed the space with the idea of holding a beer garden here in mind.
The red brick and green ivy create a retro atmosphere, and I hope you’ll enjoy the scenery along with a beer as you cool off in the evening.
What kinds of food and drinks are available?
Yasuda
There are more than 30 kinds of food to enjoy, and we offer a wide selection of beers, from familiar favorites to craft beers. We have four craft beers, ranging from easy-drinking options for people who don’t usually drink beer to rich, full-bodied varieties.
We also have cocktails and soft drinks, so we hope guests of all ages, including families, will enjoy themselves.
The food is served buffet-style, and there’s also a live kitchen where chefs cook beef steak bites and freshly made straw-grilled bonito tataki right in front of you.
Since the plan includes all-you-can-eat food and all-you-can-drink beverages, we recommend checking in around 5:30 p.m. and enjoying the full opening hours, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
I hear many dates are already fully booked.
Yasuda
We’re truly grateful.
Kurashiki Ivy Square’s banquet halls have long been a familiar venue for local companies in Kurashiki City. Similarly, many reservations for this beer garden are made by companies.
Some companies refrained from booking through 2023 due to measures against the spread of COVID-19, but this year (2024), many local companies we’ve worked with for a long time have made reservations, which makes us very happy.
Can we come in without a reservation?
Yasuda
Of course—we’d be happy to welcome walk-ins on the day.
Many of our individual guests, who come without a group, are younger people and women. We want them to feel welcome at the beer garden, so this year we launched the official Instagram account for SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024. We post updates almost every day about the menu, drinks, and reservation availability.
You’re welcome to tag us, and we also accept questions through our question box, so please check it out.
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
We hope many guests will enjoy delicious food and beer in the historic Courtyard Plaza at Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Let’s make summer in Kurashiki even more exciting together!
From the Writer
I moved to Kurashiki from the Kanto region in December 2023, so this is my first summer in Kurashiki.
I used to think of beer gardens as places on department store rooftops where you drink lots of beer and have a few snacks. But I’m excited to learn that at Kurashiki Ivy Square, you can enjoy authentic cuisine prepared by chefs in a historic plaza.
I hear that even on fully booked days, small parties may still be able to walk in on the day, so why not drop by Kurashiki Ivy Square to enjoy a cool summer evening?
SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024 Information
| Name | SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024 |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 24 (Mon)–September 15 (Sun), 2024 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (check-in begins at 5:30 p.m.; last order at 8:30 p.m.) |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Adults: ¥4,500 Junior high and high school students: ¥2,500 Elementary school students: ¥1,500 Preschoolers (ages 3–5): ¥500 |
| Website | Kurashiki Ivy Square |
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