Saitama Shintoshin to Host the "2026 Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival," with 52 Vendors Gathering
From May 13 to 17, the "2026 Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival" will be held at Keyaki Hiroba in Saitama Shintoshin, Saitama. Breweries from across Japan and overseas importers, 52 vendors in all, will come together, with more than 300 kinds of beer on offer. It also brings renewed attention to the appeal of distinctive breweries such as Tendo Brewery in Yamagata.
Hop BroThis spring in Saitama Shintoshin, the "2026 Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival" is bringing together 52 vendors. From May 13 to 17, more than 300 kinds of beer will be lined up, and beer lovers will find themselves heading there almost on their own.
MugiWhoa! More than 300 kinds? I feel like I'd get tipsy just trying to decide! And you can enjoy gourmet food at the venue too? That almost feels unfair.
Hop BroWhat's more, this has been one of Japan's largest events since 2009, held every spring and autumn. You can taste award-winning beers, limited-edition beers, and compare them side by side, so it feels like they packed all the classic festival highlights into one place.
MugiAward-winning beer? What even is that! It suddenly sounds very serious, but how is it different from regular beer?
Hop BroIt's beer that was highly rated in competitions, and it often has strong aroma and balance. If you try a tasting set little by little, it's easier to tell the differences in hop aroma and bitterness.
MugiI see! But with 52 vendors, all I can see is a future where I get lost... We'll need a targeted strike strategy!
Hop BroExactly. The first-time exhibitors are interesting too, with Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing, Tsumari Beer, and NOBODY BREWING all making their debut. It starts at 4:00 p.m. on the 13th, at 11:00 a.m. from the 14th to the 16th, and runs until 8:00 p.m. on the 17th, so the best move is to decide on your target booths ahead of time.
MugiAnd admission is free! Reserved tables go on sale from April 11, and this is exactly the kind of moment when my lack of planning skills really shines...
Hop BroAnother highlight is Yamagata's Tendo Brewery. It's a brewpub directly operated by the hot spring inn "Yubou Ichiraku," and just the fact that they make beer inside an inn already gives it a strong story.
MugiA hot spring inn operating a brewery is amazing! Seioubou (Saint Cherry) sounds delicious just from the name, but what does it taste like?
Hop BroIt has a fruity aroma and gentle sweetness from cherries, and it's really refreshing. They also make Mr.A, which brings out the aroma of buckwheat, and if you drink it on the terrace after a hot spring bath, your brain is basically going to say, 'Move here.'
MugiThat's unfair! A drink after a hot spring bath is automatically going to be amazing. Drinking a lot at Keyaki Hiroba, then taking it slow in Tendo, sounds absolutely perfect!
Hop BroThe fun of comparing a wide variety of labels at a big venue and the fun of savoring a beer shaped by local character - both are great. First, let's get our thirst ready at Keyaki Hiroba, and then finish with another drink while picturing Tendo Brewery.
From May 13 to 17, the "2026 Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival" will be held at Keyaki Hiroba in Saitama Shintoshin, Saitama. One of Japan's largest craft beer events, it has been held every spring and autumn since 2009, and this time 52 vendors, including breweries from across Japan and overseas importers, will set up booths. More than 300 kinds of beer will be sold, and visitors can enjoy award-winning beers from competitions, event-exclusive beers, and tasting sets at the venue. Another hallmark of the event is that you can enjoy drinks paired with gourmet food from all over the country.
First-time exhibitors include Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing (Hokkaido), Tsumari Beer (Niigata), and NOBODY BREWING (Saitama). The event hours are 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the 13th, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from the 14th to the 16th, and 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the 17th. Admission is free, and the popular paid reserved tables will go on sale on PassMarket from April 11. With crowds expected, it would be wise to तय? Sorry no. With crowds expected, it would be wise to decide which booths you want to visit in advance.
Meanwhile, Tendo Brewery, located inside the "Yubou Ichiraku" hot spring inn in Tendo Onsen, Yamagata, is a rare brewpub operated directly by an inn. Its cherry-based "Seioubou (Saint Cherry)" is characterized by fruity aroma, gentle sweetness, and a refreshing finish, and it also makes "Mr.A," which makes use of the aroma of buckwheat. Guests staying at the inn can enjoy draft beer straight from the brewery on the terrace after a bath in the hot springs, and bottled beer is also available in the shop. It is worth noting as a bridge between the pleasure of tasting a wide variety of labels at a large-scale event and the pleasure of savoring a beer shaped by local character at a more leisurely pace.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroThis spring in Saitama Shintoshin, the "2026 Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival" is bringing together 52 vendors. From May 13 to 17, more than 300 kinds of beer will be lined up, and beer lovers will find themselves heading there almost on their own.
MugiWhoa! More than 300 kinds? I feel like I'd get tipsy just trying to decide! And you can enjoy gourmet food at the venue too? That almost feels unfair.
Hop BroWhat's more, this has been one of Japan's largest events since 2009, held every spring and autumn. You can taste award-winning beers, limited-edition beers, and compare them side by side, so it feels like they packed all the classic festival highlights into one place.
MugiAward-winning beer? What even is that! It suddenly sounds very serious, but how is it different from regular beer?
Hop BroIt's beer that was highly rated in competitions, and it often has strong aroma and balance. If you try a tasting set little by little, it's easier to tell the differences in hop aroma and bitterness.
MugiI see! But with 52 vendors, all I can see is a future where I get lost... We'll need a targeted strike strategy!
Hop BroExactly. The first-time exhibitors are interesting too, with Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing, Tsumari Beer, and NOBODY BREWING all making their debut. It starts at 4:00 p.m. on the 13th, at 11:00 a.m. from the 14th to the 16th, and runs until 8:00 p.m. on the 17th, so the best move is to decide on your target booths ahead of time.
MugiAnd admission is free! Reserved tables go on sale from April 11, and this is exactly the kind of moment when my lack of planning skills really shines...
Hop BroAnother highlight is Yamagata's Tendo Brewery. It's a brewpub directly operated by the hot spring inn "Yubou Ichiraku," and just the fact that they make beer inside an inn already gives it a strong story.
MugiA hot spring inn operating a brewery is amazing! Seioubou (Saint Cherry) sounds delicious just from the name, but what does it taste like?
Hop BroIt has a fruity aroma and gentle sweetness from cherries, and it's really refreshing. They also make Mr.A, which brings out the aroma of buckwheat, and if you drink it on the terrace after a hot spring bath, your brain is basically going to say, 'Move here.'
MugiThat's unfair! A drink after a hot spring bath is automatically going to be amazing. Drinking a lot at Keyaki Hiroba, then taking it slow in Tendo, sounds absolutely perfect!
Hop BroThe fun of comparing a wide variety of labels at a big venue and the fun of savoring a beer shaped by local character - both are great. First, let's get our thirst ready at Keyaki Hiroba, and then finish with another drink while picturing Tendo Brewery.
