This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
Japan Craft Beer Weekend 2026 brings more than 30 beers selected from 11 breweries to Katsuyama Park in central Kokura, Kitakyushu, from Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13. Entry to the beer and food area is free; drinks and food are purchased separately.
The event shares the lawn with Katsuyama Park Cinema. You may enter the beer, food and market areas without a movie ticket, while the evening film screenings require a separate free reservation. This guide separates the two systems so that international visitors can plan the day without confusing admission and movie booking.
- September 11–13, 2026 at Katsuyama Park Great Lawn
- Friday from 16:00; Saturday and Sunday from 12:00
- Free event entry; beer and food cost extra
- Movie seats are free but must be reserved in advance
Information checked on August 10, 2026 against the event flyer, organizer account and Katsuyama Park Cinema website. Beer offerings and operating details may change.
Dates, venue and admission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, September 11–Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Hours | Friday 16:00–21:00; Saturday and Sunday 12:00–21:00 |
| Venue | Katsuyama Park Great Lawn, 3 Jonai, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu |
| Entry | Free; drinks and food are purchased separately |
| Beer | More than 30 selections curated from 11 breweries |
| Nearest JR station | Nishi-Kokura Station, about 10 minutes on foot |
Thirty-plus beers from western Japan
The official flyer lists breweries from Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Saga, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, Wakayama, Kyoto, Ehime and Shiga. Local names include Kokura Brewing and Mojiko Retro Beer, joined by Fukuoka Craft Brewing and producers from other prefectures.
The announced lineup describes more than 30 beers selected by Kokura craft-beer bar Life is Beer! 11TAP. Individual taps can sell out or change, so check the organizer’s Instagram shortly before visiting if a particular brewery is important to you.
Outdoor cinema uses a separate reservation
Katsuyama Park Cinema is held beside the beer area. The 2026 films are Back to the Future Part III on Friday, A Minecraft Movie on Saturday and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning on Sunday.
- Film admission is free but limited to 1,500 people per day.
- Advance booking is required and there are no same-day movie tickets.
- No movie booking is needed to use the craft-beer, food or market areas.
- Bring a small chair or picnic sheet only where staff permit it; do not block paths or viewing areas.
Getting to Katsuyama Park
The park is about a 10-minute walk from JR Nishi-Kokura Station and about 20 minutes from JR Kokura Station. Nishi-Kokura is the simpler option for most travellers. Buses stopping at Kitakyushu Shiyakusho-mae leave about a five-minute walk to the lawn.
Nearby public parking is not dedicated to the beer festival and can fill during simultaneous events. Because this is an alcohol event, use trains or buses and decide your return route before drinking.
Rules and practical preparation
Outside food and drinks are not allowed in the event area. Weather can also affect an outdoor festival, so confirm rain or cancellation notices on the day and bring a compact raincoat rather than relying on a large umbrella in a crowd.
- People under Japan’s legal drinking age of 20 cannot drink alcohol.
- Never drive after drinking; use JR, buses or a taxi.
- Alternate beer with water and eat before or while drinking.
- Keep the lawn and walkways clear and take all instructions from event staff.
Official updates and nearby Fukuoka guides
Use the organizer account for the final beer list and the cinema website for film reservations. These Tokunavi guides can help extend a Kokura or Fukuoka trip.
