Japan may not see eating and drinking outdoors as common sense, but a special event held limitedly in summer called BEER GARDEN is very popular among Japanese. Let’s go see and experience this unique beer garden culture and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere when visiting Japan!

*Picture is for illustration purposes only.

Enjoy the summer tradition at a Japanese-style beer garden!

Beer Garden is usually an outdoor space to enjoy alcohol, mainly beer, together with finger foods. In Japan, it has been held as a summer limited event on the rooftops of large department stores and commercial facilities in the city. Among an open space decorated with beautiful LED string lights, imagine how relaxing it is to have some fresh beer and flavorful nibbles with close friends or coworkers after a whole day’ s work.

In recent years, there have been some changes. Some are held in the open terrace seat of a cafe, some have stylish performances, some open from noon, others focus on food and drinks. Moreover, the event period tends to be longer and there are ones open from May to Early October.

Are you visiting Japan soon? Come and enjoy the entertaining beer garden culture!

【Kyoto】Hyssop（In GOOD NATURE STATION）

Period: Until September 30, 2024 (Mon)
*Closed from June 4 (Tue) to June 14 (Fri) due to renovation

Hyssop is located in GOOD NATURE STATION, a facility that is full of healthy eating-themed restaurants.

You can forget about the hustle and bustle of the city and relax on the comfortable terrace seats with an atrium filled with greenery.
The summer “Nature Beer Terrace Plan” features dishes made with spices and herbs, centered around seasonal vegetables.

For instance, a fulfilling menu with sweet grilled corn, spicy fries, chicken enchiladas (Mexican dish), etc. The course includes 90 minutes of all-you-can-drink draft beer, beer cocktails, wine and soft drinks.

【Kyoto】Mar Cafe

Period: From May 1 (Wed) to September 30, 2024 (Mon)

Mar Cafe offers a BBQ-style beer garden overlooking Higashiyama area, located on the 8th floor of the building near Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Although it is close to the main sightseeing spots in Kyoto, Mar Cafe gives you a comparatively quiet and calm atmosphere.

The menu offers a buffet type meal which includes four types of meat marinated in homemade sauce, and all-you-can-drink drinks which has 140 different kinds from colorful cocktails to non-alcohol beverages.

【Osaka】BEER GARDEN ROOFTOP | Hotel New Hankyu Osaka

Period: From June 28 (Fri) to September 1, 2024 (Sun)

This is a popular beer garden in Umeda for many years and its theme is「Yokocho」this year. A “yokocho” is a narrow side street from the main street, lined with Japanese bars with red paper lanterns hanging, and has developed throughout the country as a place for people to interact.

Based on the traditional yokocho theme decorated in modern style, Beer Garden Rooftop offers 25 different kinds of typical and traditional Izakaya dishes such as takoyaki and fried shrimp and meatball napolitan. In particular, seared meat sushi has a fragrant smell as it is prepared right in front of customers.

It provides a buffet style menu and all-you-can-drink with over 70 types of drinks, including the most famous 8 kinds of Japanese beer. From Sunday to Tuesday, there are another 2 kinds of craft beer available.

【Osaka】Senri Hankyu Hotel「Poolside Beer Garden asobeer SHOW！」

Period: From June 28 (Fri) to September 1, 2024 (Sun)

Senri Hankyu Hotel, located in northern Osaka, has a poolside beer garden which gives more of a feeling of resort. There are days when samba dance is performed and also other events. Let’s go and check it out!

This year has a special menu which you can enjoy during the performance. Have you seen tomato and cheese sauce come out from a faucet? Or dessert made of fried mille crepe and ganache? Senri Hankyu Hotel Beer Garden has all the unique dishes that you can only taste here.

During the “SHOW” TIME, special menu items such as black fried chicken with bamboo charcoal powder, and a very spicy butter chicken curry that turns bright red with spices and beet habanero sauce will be offered.
A total of 25 food items are available for all-you-can-eat, and more than 50 drinks are available for all-you-can-drink.

【Osaka】Umeda Hankyu Beer Garden「Sky and Green Rooftop Marche」

Period: From May 22 (Wed) to October 6, 2024 (Sun)

Located in the biggest department store in western Japan, Umeda Hankyu Beer Garden is the best place to go after shopping.

Umeda Hankyu Beer Garden is popular for its chic interior design and pleasant atmosphere. 120 different kinds of drinks and 30 kinds of dishes are provided. Not only beer and highball, but non-alcohol and low-alcohol beverages are offered, together with delicious finger foods such as chicken legs, salad, peanuts, etc.

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【Osaka】GRAND FRONT OSAKA「Otona no Beer Garden」

Period: From May 1 (Wed) to September 30, 2024 (Mon)

If you are looking for a beer garden where it is less crowded and more calm, we recommend 「Otona no Beer Garden」in Grand Front Osaka.

The venue is the rooftop garden of the Grand Front Osaka South Building. The terrace surrounded by greenery is like an oasis in the city where you can forget the hustle and bustle. Space between tables is wide enough for you to relax while enjoying beer or cocktails.

Otona no Beer Garden provides an all-you-can-drink plan with 50 kinds of drinks and food that goes well with alcohol such as grilled sirloin steak, roasted chicken, and Brazilian sausage. A la carte dinner is also available if ordered separately.

【Kobe】TOOTH TOOTH MART FOOD HALL＆NIGHT FES「UMI NO BEER GARDEN 2024」

Period: From April 23 (Tue) to September 24, 2024 (Tue) *Temporary

TOOTH TOOTH MART FOOD HALL, Kobe’s biggest food hall, is close to the famous Kobe Meriken Park.

Seaside terrace seating is the perfect location where you can enjoy the sea breeze during a breathtaking sunset. Looking outside of Kobe Port Tower, you may see the terrific sea horizon and the changing color of the sky. Here, a BBQ meal plan is offered for terrace seats.

The BBQ meal plan includes a BBQ set featuring meat such as sirloin and sausage from Awaji Island, free unlimited popcorn, and a 1,000-yen meal ticket that can be used in the food hall. Besides, there is also a meal set which features sirloin steak of Kobe beef.
Also, in the food hall, you can find many Kobe specialties such as Kobe pork, Rokko beer, Sake from Nada, etc.

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【Kobe】THE KOBE CRUISE Concerto「Beer Garden Cruise」

Period: From July 1 (Mon) to September 30, 2024 (Mon)

THE KOBE CRUISE Concerto, just as the name says, is a beer garden cruise where you can enjoy a cruise tour while having delicious food and fresh beer.
Don’t forget to check the timetable since there are only two cruises one day. From the 74-meter cruise, you may naturally revel in the stunning sea sunset and city light surrounded by a serene atmosphere.