More than 120 varieties of umeshu, a waterfront park and an optional game to play between tastings: the National Umeshu Festival in Yokosuka (全国梅酒まつりin横須賀2026) runs from October 16–18, 2026, at Verny Park.
The first decision is your tasting ticket. Advance sales are scheduled to end on October 15, and drinks are served using festival coins rather than an unlimited-drinks pass. The RPG activity has its own ¥1,000 participation fee.
Information announced on . All opening times below are Japan time.
Check tasting ticketson the official site
Dates, venue and opening hours
The festival takes place at Verny Park (ヴェルニー公園), overlooking Yokosuka Harbor in Kanagawa. Closing time changes each day, so check the schedule before choosing when to visit.
| Date | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Friday, October 16, 2026 | 12:00–19:00 |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11:00–18:00 |
| Sunday, October 18, 2026 | 11:00–17:00 |
| Venue | Verny Park |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1 Shioiricho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa |
| Organizer | Umeshu Research Association (一般社団法人梅酒研究会) |
| Cooperation | Yokosuka Seaside Partners |
| Sponsor | Taisho Pharmaceutical |
| Supporting organizations | Yokosuka City; Yokosuka City Tourism Association |
For directions and any updated visitor instructions, use the official Yokosuka festival page. If you are browsing other cultural outings, our Ghibli Park exhibition guide covering Yokosuka, Osaka and Kyoto is another place to check dates before making plans.
Tickets and tasting coins: what the price includes
Tastings use the festival’s dedicated Umesen coins (梅銭). The advance-ticket options below provide a set number of coins; they should not be read as all-you-can-drink admission.
| Advance ticket | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ¥1,900 | 21 Umesen coins |
| Pair | ¥3,800 | 42 Umesen coins |
| Ticket with glass | ¥2,700 | 21 Umesen coins and an original glass |
Advance tickets are scheduled to be sold through Thursday, October 15. Same-day tickets will have the same prices, but the number of coins supplied will differ. The announcement does not specify the same-day coin allocation.
Taste different styles, then buy a favorite
The selection brings together more than 120 varieties from producers across Japan. You can compare small servings of umeshu made with sake, honkaku shochu or brandy, alongside versions incorporating citrus and other fruits.
A useful approach is to start with a base spirit you already enjoy, then try a contrasting style. The range gives you a reason to explore beyond a familiar bottle without committing to a full-size purchase first.
Take a bottle home from the sales area
The festival also has an umeshu sales area, where you can buy a favorite discovered during tasting. You can buy a bottle to enjoy at home or give as a gift; check the available selection and prices at the venue.
The Umeshu Festival RPG is an optional activity
The new Umeshu Festival RPG (梅酒まつりRPG) adds a game to your visit. Participants explore the grounds, complete challenges and collect droplets representing earth, fire, water, wood and metal.
Participation costs ¥1,000 including tax. You can join on your own or take part with friends. A professor character will appear in the venue, while the specific challenges are left for participants to discover.
Dassai umeshu: numbered tickets from 14:30
A paid tasting and lottery sale of Dassai Umeshu (獺祭 梅酒) are planned. This is a separate special offering to keep in mind when organizing your visit.
The paid tasting requires a numbered ticket, with distribution announced for 14:30 at the venue. Quantities are limited. Check the official guidance for each day’s arrangements, the distribution point, tasting price and lottery-sale conditions.
The 14:30 time is for ticket distribution; it should not be treated as a guaranteed tasting appointment.
Weekend roses and special collaborations
Rose-themed drinks and food on October 17–18
On Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, the umeshu festival overlaps with the park’s Autumn Rose Festa (秋のローズフェスタ). If the rose collaboration is your main reason for going, choose one of those weekend dates.
| Offering | What is announced |
|---|---|
| Umeshu with rose water | A way to enjoy your chosen umeshu mixed with fragrant rose water |
| Rose umeshu sorbet | Planned for the food booths |
Taisho Pharmaceutical collaboration
Taisho Pharmaceutical’s booth will offer tastings and sampling of an umeshu and Lipovitan Jelly combination. Check the booth’s guidance for how this offering is served.
Before you go
- Check the day’s closing time. Friday ends at 19:00, Saturday at 18:00 and Sunday at 17:00.
- Confirm what your ticket covers. Tasting coins, the RPG participation fee and the special Dassai offering have different arrangements.
- Check payment methods and access on the official site. These details are not specified in the announcement.
- Alcohol is for ages 20 and over. Do not drink and drive.
For another autumn festival to consider separately, see our Musashino Art University Festival guide. If you are comparing other paid outings, the Asoview Asobitsukushi campaign guide covers a separate promotion; it is not presented here as a discount route for this umeshu festival.
Interested in volunteering?
The organizer is recruiting volunteer staff. For participation requirements and arrangements, contact the Umeshu Research Association at 029-229-0712 or [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Is admission to the festival free?
- The announcement lists tasting-ticket prices but does not clearly state the conditions for entering the grounds. Check the official festival page before visiting without a tasting ticket.
- Is this an all-you-can-drink event?
- Tastings use Umesen coins. Advance tickets provide a fixed number of coins, and the announcement does not describe an unlimited-drinks plan.
- Can I buy a ticket on the day?
- Same-day tickets are announced at the same prices as advance tickets, with different coin allocations. Check the official ticket page for the exact allocation and sales arrangements.
- Can I join the RPG alone?
- Yes. Solo participation is explicitly allowed. The RPG participation fee is ¥1,000 including tax.
- How do I try Dassai umeshu?
- The planned paid tasting requires a numbered ticket. Distribution is announced for 14:30 at the venue, with limited quantities. Check the daily arrangements and tasting price in the official guidance.
Ready to choose a day? Review the tasting-ticket options before the scheduled October 15 advance-sales deadline, then check any special activities you want to join.
Check official ticketsbefore planning your visitSource: the organizer’s October 12 press release. For updates, consult the official festival page.