Snow Monkey Beer Live combines two of life’s great pleasures, great beer and great music in a one-day festival that packs a big punch! The focus is small craft breweries with leading brewers from across Japan and a couple of guest brewers from overseas invited to participate each year, with a usually fantastic line-up of Japanese artists.

*Unfortunately, this event is no longer planned to be held. However, you can still drink the local Shiga Kogen Craft Beer at many eateries around the area, and it may also be found at liquor shops being sold by the bottle/can.

Taking place in Shiga Kogen, the festival is held around the time that most resorts are closing for the season. As Japan’s largest and highest ski resort, Shiga however is just getting started and will stay open well into April – and on a good year, in to May – offering Nagano’s best spring skiing.

Beer and beats flow generously over the course of the three-day festival. Tickets can be bought for the individual days, two days or the whole festival. Make sure to check the line-up and pick the day which best suits your interest. Previous years have seen the festival dominated by Japanese artists but as Snow Monkey Beer Live grows in popularity, expect international artists to soon be added.

The cost of the ticket includes a glass and drinks tickets with plenty of great food also on-hand. Tickets are available through participating convenience stores with tickets also advertised as available on the door but don’t count on that. Make sure to book in advance.