Originating in 1812, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival, celebrating the culture of Bavaria (southeast corner of Germany). All the way from Munich, this iconic event–marked by traditional Bavarian attire, hearty German cuisine and endless pints of beer–has found its way to Japan.
Odaiba, Hibiya Park, and Yokohama are just some of the many places you can experience–perhaps we should endearingly say–a Japanese interpretation of Munich’s OG festival. German visitors may be surprised to see dishes like nachos, pizza and pasta on offer, but in my opinion, that’s the fun of experiencing festivals and cultural phenomena that have traveled overseas!
It’s worth mentioning that Japan’s Oktoberfests don’t necessarily align with Munich’s schedule that typically kicks off in late September and ends on the first Sunday in October (approximately two weeks). For example, the Odaiba Oktoberfest, held annually at Symbol Promenade Park, usually takes place from late April to early May.
Strolling along the waterside, you can enjoy sausages, sauerkraut and quality German beer served from hefty glass tankards while listening to Bavarian musical performances. The festival is definitely not the cheapest with pretty much all beers and foods each costing more than 1,000 yen, but of course, you are simultaneously paying for the lively atmosphere and opportunity to experience a world-renowned festival that is otherwise 9,000 kilometers away!
Learn more about Oktoberfest in Tokyo: https://www.oktober-fest.jp/