Fujizakura Kogen Beer (富士桜高原麦酒), the craft beer brand brewed in the foothills of Mount Fuji, is celebrating its 28th year of production with a special Thanksgiving Festival on July 4, 2026 (Saturday). The festival takes place at the Fujizakura Kogen Beer Brewery (Silvans Cafe & Shop) in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, where guests can sample around 20 varieties of beer in an all-you-can-drink format surrounded by the natural scenery of the Fuji region.
28th Anniversary Thanksgiving Festival
To mark 28 years since the brewery first began producing beer in December 1997, the festival opens with an early tapping of the "28th Anniversary Limited Beer" — a commemorative brew that won't officially go on sale until July 10 (Friday). Attendees on July 4 get the first taste, about a week before anyone else.
The all-you-can-drink offer covers approximately 20 types across 18 taps at ¥3,000 per person. Non-drinkers and minors can attend for free and enjoy soft drink options. Food is priced separately and includes sausages, 富士さん万福しゅうまい, beer potatoes, original curry, Yoshida udon fried chicken, Yoshida udon snack, and gelato. Kitchen cars offering Vietnamese food and crepes will also be on site.
Activities and Events
The factory is normally closed to visitors, but on festival day a brewery tour guided by the head brewer is available — limited to 20 participants per session. There is also a beer identification contest led by the brewmaster (¥1,000, limited to 20 people) where participants try to identify the beers by taste alone.
Live music adds to the atmosphere throughout the day, with performances by THE ビールズ and 幸せビアフェス音楽隊.
A lottery draw open to all-you-can-drink ticket holders rounds out the festivities, along with merchandise sales including an original 28th Anniversary T-shirt.
Event Details
Date: July 4, 2026 (Saturday), 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (reception from 10:30 AM)
Venue: Fujizakura Kogen Beer Brewery (Silvans Cafe & Shop), 6663-1 Kenmarubi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi (moved indoors in case of rain)
Admission:
- All-you-can-drink (18 taps): ¥3,000 per person
- Non-drinkers and minors: Free
- Soft drinks and food priced separately
Schedule:
- 10:30 AM: Reception opens
- 11:00 AM: Doors open, all-you-can-drink starts
- 11:30 AM: Toast and ceremonial tapping of the 28th Anniversary Limited Beer
- 12:00 PM: Brewery tour — 1st session (20 people max)
- 12:30 PM: THE ビールズ live performance
- 12:45 PM: Brewery tour — 2nd session (20 people max)
- 1:00 PM: Head Brewer's Beer Identification Contest (20 people max / ¥1,000 per person)
- 1:15 PM: 幸せビアフェス音楽隊 live performance and group photo
- 2:15 PM: Lottery draw
- 3:15 PM: THE ビールズ live and closing remarks from the head brewer
- 5:00 PM: Last order — food
- 5:30 PM: Last order — drinks
- 6:00 PM: Event ends
Shuttle: Departs from Kawaguchiko Station (behind the 富士観光開発 building) from 10:00 AM onward. Transfers from partner accommodation facilities also available (advance reservation required by phone).
Note: No advance reservation required for the festival itself. Reservations are only needed for shuttle services.
Bonus: Festival participants receive free admission to Fuji Subaru Land (富士すばるランド).
About Fujizakura Kogen Beer
Fujizakura Kogen Beer is made using subterranean spring water that has filtered through the ground beneath Mount Fuji over several decades, combined with brewing techniques developed through training at Doemens, one of Germany's few nationally accredited brewing academies. Most ingredients are imported from Germany, and the beer is made with 100% malt (with some exceptions). As an unfiltered beer rich in live yeast, it delivers the authentic taste and aroma of traditional craft brewing.
Standard Lineup
- Pils — A premium lager characterized by a balance of aroma hops and bitter hops (5.0% ABV)
- Weizen — A fruity, easy-drinking wheat beer with an elegant character — approachable even for those who do not typically enjoy beer (5.5% ABV)
- Rauch — A smoky beer that is a specialty of Bamberg, Germany, and rarely found in Japan (5.5% ABV)
- Schwarzweizen — A dark wheat beer that combines sharpness with a sweet, roasted aroma, offering a fresh take on the dark beer category (5.0% ABV)
Room-Temperature Stable Varieties
Since October 2025, Fujizakura Kogen Beer has also released centrifuge-filtered versions of two of its standard varieties, which can be stored at room temperature:
- Pils Filtered — The same quality as the original Pils, now room-temperature stable
- Weizen Filtered — The same quality as the original Weizen, now room-temperature stable
Fuji Subaru Land: Free Admission for Festival Participants
All festival attendees are entitled to free admission to Fuji Subaru Land (富士すばるランド), the family-oriented theme park located near the entrance to the Fuji Subaru Line. The park features outdoor activities including tree houses, a tree deck, an off-road buggy ride course, a giant slide, and various athletic attractions. The park also welcomes dogs, with a dog run, grooming salon, and dog accessories shop on site.
