The rainy season has begun, marking the start of muggy days.
During the hot summer, I find myself longing for an ice-cold beer that runs down the center of my body.
I have received information that the summer tradition of Kurashiki, the Kurashiki Ivy Square Beer Garden, has started again this year, so I will introduce some recommended ways to enjoy it.
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.
| Event Dates | June 24, 2024 (Monday) to September 15, 2024 (Sunday) |
|---|---|
| Event Hours | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Location | Kurashiki Ivy Square (Courtyard) |
| Fees (including tax) | Adults 4,500 yen Junior and senior high school students 2,500 yen Elementary school students 1,500 yen Preschoolers (ages 3-5) 500 yen |
It is said that Fridays and Saturdays until the end of July are already fully booked due to its great popularity.
Reservations can be made through the official website or by phone.
A summer tradition of Kurashiki held in the courtyard since the opening of Kurashiki Ivy Square
Beer gardens are often held on the rooftops of department stores, but at Kurashiki Ivy Square, it has been held in the courtyard every year.
The beer garden, with its red brick walls and green ivy creating a photogenic atmosphere, has been a traditional event that has continued for 50 years since the opening of Kurashiki Ivy Square (though there have been years when it was scaled down or canceled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Interview with the person in charge of SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024
I interviewed Masaki Yasuda, the person in charge of SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024, about the beer garden, which can be considered a summer tradition of Kurashiki.
So, the beer garden is held in the courtyard of Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Yasuda (no honorifics)
The beer garden has been held in this courtyard since the opening in 1974. The idea of having a beer garden in the courtyard was likely considered from the construction stage, so the designer, Shintaro Urabe, may have envisioned a beer garden being held here while designing it.
The red bricks and green ivy create a retro atmosphere, so I hope you enjoy this scenery along with your beer while cooling off in the evening.
What kind of menu do you have?
Yasuda
We offer a buffet with over 30 types of dishes, and a wide range of beers from standard to craft beers. The craft beers include four varieties, from those that are easy to drink even for those who usually do not drink beer to more robust options.
There are also cocktails and soft drinks available, so I would like customers of all ages, including families, to enjoy it.
The food is served buffet style, but there is also a live kitchen where the chef prepares diced beef steak and freshly grilled bonito tataki right in front of you.
All-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink plans are available, so I recommend completing your check-in around 5:30 PM to enjoy the full hours of operation (6:00 PM to 9:00 PM).
I hear that many days are already fully booked.
Yasuda
Indeed, we are very grateful.
The banquet hall at Kurashiki Ivy Square has been a facility familiar to local businesses in Kurashiki City. Similarly, this beer garden also receives many reservations from corporate groups.
Until 2023, some companies refrained from participating due to measures against the spread of COVID-19, but this year (2024), many local companies with whom we have had relationships for a long time have made reservations, which is wonderful.
Can I enter without a reservation?
Yasuda
Of course, we welcome walk-ins on the day.
I believe that many customers who come individually are younger people and women. We want such customers to feel at home in this beer garden, so this year we have opened the official Instagram for SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024. We update it almost daily with information about the menu, drinks, and reservation status.
You can certainly tag us, and we also accept questions, so please take a look.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
I hope many customers enjoy delicious food and beer in the historic courtyard of Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Let's liven up the summer in Kurashiki together!
Conclusion
I moved to Kurashiki from the Kanto region in December 2023, so this will be my first summer in Kurashiki.
I had the image of a beer garden being a place to drink more beer than snacks on the rooftops of department stores, but I am excited to learn that at Kurashiki Ivy Square, I can enjoy authentic cuisine prepared by chefs in a historic square.
Even on days that are fully booked, it seems that if you come in small numbers, you may be able to enter without a reservation, so why not take a casual stroll to Kurashiki Ivy Square for a cool summer evening?
Data on SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024
| Name | SUMMER NIGHT BEERGARDEN 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | June 24, 2024 (Monday) to September 15, 2024 (Sunday) 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Check-in starts at 5:30 PM, last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Adults 4,500 yen Junior and senior high school students 2,500 yen Elementary school students 1,500 yen Preschoolers (ages 3-5) 500 yen |
| Website | Kurashiki Ivy Square |
