Belgian Beer Weekend 2026 Kyoto (BBW Kyoto) takes place at Ohigashi-san Hiroba in front of Higashi Honganji Temple, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, over five days from October 8 (Thursday) to October 12 (Monday, holiday), 2026. This marks the second consecutive year the event has been held in Kyoto. This year's edition expands the "flavors from Kyoto" program, a special collaboration that brings together Belgium's beer culture and Kyoto's food culture, offering a Kyoto edition of Belgian Beer Weekend where the flavors nurtured by both regions can be enjoyed together.
Over 100 Types of Beer, Including Kyoto Craft Beer for the First Time
BBW Kyoto will feature 97 varieties of Belgian beer across 14 styles. Alongside easy-drinking, refreshing pilsners and fruit and white beers recommended for those who find beer too bitter, visitors can sample distinctively tart lambics and red beers that are rarely available elsewhere — a wide-ranging tasting of Belgium's diverse beer culture.
Now in its 17th year, BBW will for the first time serve beer that isn't Belgian. As part of the "flavors from Kyoto" program, Kyoto Brewing Co. — a local brewery that makes beer using Belgian yeast — will offer 10 types of craft beer.
Belgian Food Meets Kyoto Pickles and Confections
About 30 kinds of food that pair well with beer will be available, including Belgium's signature fries, mussels, and stoemp, along with sausages and cheeses in a range of styles and flavors.
This year's "flavors from Kyoto" program expands further: alongside the Kyogashi (Kyoto confections) from the Kyogashi Cooperative Association Youth Division that proved popular last year, Kyoto tsukemono (pickles) join the lineup for the first time.
Nishiri and Daiyasu, two of Kyoto's leading tsukemono makers, will take part — Nishiri for the first three days and Daiyasu for the final two — each offering their pickles alongside Belgian beer.
Pairings such as beer with Kyoto pickles or beer with Kyoto confections may sound unlikely, but trying them together can reveal flavor combinations not noticed before.
Event Details
Dates: October 8 (Thu) to 12 (Mon, holiday), 2026
Hours:
- Thursday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Monday (holiday): 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Venue: Ohigashi-san Hiroba (Higashi Honganji-mae Civic Green Space), in front of Higashi Honganji Temple, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Organizer: Belgian Beer Weekend Executive Committee
Special Cooperation: Embassy of Belgium in Japan
Tickets
- Casual Drinking Set (BBW2026 original glass + 8 food/drink coins): Advance ¥2,700 / Regular ¥2,840
- Starter Set (BBW2026 original glass + 13 food/drink coins): Advance ¥3,750 / Regular ¥3,990
- Additional food/drink coins (5-pack): ¥1,150
Advance tickets are available via Rakuten Travel Experiences.
Official website: www.belgianbeerweekend.jp
