A beer festival for the whole family, Tsukuba's popular annual event features live bands and DJs on two separate stages along with plenty of food and organic soft drinks. Last year there were nineteen breweries represented (including one US import), ranging from big names like Hitachi Nest and Echigo to smaller local producers.

One of Tokyo's several multi-day Oktoberfest events, this very popular outdoor event offers German food, beer and music. While there are many imports, beers from local Yamanashi brewery Fujizakura are probably the best value for money.

It's Kyushu's largest craft-beer festival, featuring beers from small breweries all over Japan. There will also be plenty of food, including local Kyushu dishes.

One of Kansai's best beer festivals, Craft Beer Holiday is held in the park outside Osaka Castle, just in front of the JR train station. As usual, various food and beer vendors will be on hand, and half-size glasses are available, so you can try out more beers.

Tokyo's newest major beer festival is holding their third installment of this year, in yet another new location. As usual there will be more than two dozen Japanese craft breweries represented, along with many imports from the US, UK and Europe. There will also be a good selection of booths selling food.

Co-sponsored by the German Embassy, this is probably the best of the German-themed festivals on the yearly calendar, with a more German feel to it than the typical Oktoberfest event. There's plenty of tasty German food, beer and wine to sample, a live music stage, and booths selling a range of German products.

Run by the Brewers Association in the US, this small festival is a good chance to sample some American craft beers that aren't yet available in Japan, as well as exploring the best of what's on the market already. There will be booths serving barbecue and other American-style food.