The "5th Yamaga Distillery Festival 2026" will be held on the grounds of Yamaga Distillery in Yamaga, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Saturday, November 21, 2026. The festival is hosted as a thank-you to local residents, fans, and everyone who supports the distillery.
This year, the distillery is releasing "Yamaga Distillery Limited Cask BB232," its first heavy peated whisky. Popular single malt Japanese whiskies such as "YAMAGA 2026 Edition" and "YAMAGA Peated 2026 Edition" will also be sold in limited quantities.
At the venue, visitors can enjoy a "Yamaga Lantern Dance" stage, which is linked to the character of Yamaga Distillery's whisky, along with a dance experience and a talk show with lantern craftsmen and "toro musume" (lantern maidens). Distillery production staff will also lead mini guided tours and master classes, making it a day to experience both Yamaga's culture and its whisky.
Restaurants based mainly in Kumamoto and Yamaga will set up stalls serving dishes and sweets that pair well with whisky, as well as light snacks that children can enjoy. "YAMAGA Bar feat. Kumamoto Bartenders," featuring leading Kumamoto bartenders, will serve Yamaga whisky along with event-only original cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails.
Part of the whisky sales on the day will be donated to an organization or municipality supporting recovery from the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Kumamoto Earthquake.
Event Details
- Name: 5th Yamaga Distillery Festival 2026
- Date and time: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (held rain or shine; canceled in case of severe weather)
- Venue: Yamaga Distillery grounds (980-1 Aizato, Kao-machi, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
- Main activities: Yamaga Lantern Dance, lantern dance experience, talk show with lantern craftsmen and lantern maidens, master classes, mini guided tours, limited-edition cocktails, food and merchandise stalls, prize drawing, and more
- Whiskies on sale: Yamaga Distillery Limited Cask BB232, YAMAGA 2026 Edition, YAMAGA Peated 2026 Edition
In addition to the food and merchandise corners, programs led by production staff will be held at the venue from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Limited-Edition Whiskies
- Yamaga Distillery Limited Cask BB232: ¥5,500 (tax included), limited to 600 bottles
- YAMAGA 2026 Edition: ¥11,000 (tax included), limited to 100 bottles
- YAMAGA Peated 2026 Edition: ¥11,000 (tax included), limited to 100 bottles
Experiences Showcasing Yamaga's Culture and Whisky
Production staff will lead a "mini guided tour" that takes visitors from the viewing walkway to the cask maturation warehouse. A master class will also be held for those who want to learn more about Yamaga Distillery's whisky.
The "Yamaga Lantern Dance" stage will feature dance performances, a dance experience that children can join, and commemorative photos with the lantern maidens.
A Festival Rooted in the Community
The Yamaga Distillery Festival has been held not simply as a distillery event, but as a place where people connect through Yamaga's culture, food, and whisky.
Marking its fifth anniversary this year, the festival will once again share the appeal of whisky made in Yamaga, Kumamoto, with gratitude to the local community.
"Step by step together with Kumamoto. A glass of thanks to everyone, from Yamaga."
Access
Shuttle buses will run to the venue from central Kumamoto City and from Yamaga City. Free shuttle buses will also run between the temporary parking lot and the distillery.
Event details, the latest information, and advance registration for the various programs will be posted on the Yamaga Distillery website, which will be updated as information becomes available.
Yamaga Distillery official website: https://yamagadistillery.co.jp/
