What’s the best tool for beating the heat and humidity of June? Beer of course and lots of it! It might only be the start of summer, but Oktoberfest is taking over Nara Park for 10 days of good natured fun and festivity that only the Germans know how to provide!
The original Oktoberfest got started in Munich in 1810 with the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig I (Later King Ludvig I) of Bavaria and the festivities and events held for it. The festivities were so well received and attended that the decision was made to repeat the event in 1811 with the addition of an agricultural show and things grew from there. Beer was always an integral part of the proceedings but it grew to become the event’s main attraction with many breweries cooking up special beers just for the occasion. Despite its name, Oktoberfest begins in September and runs for 16 days up to and including the first Sunday in October. The success and popularity of the event led to the start of many imitator events all over the world.
Regardless of where and when they happen, they’re all called Oktoberfest.
2016 is the 4th instalment of Nara's Oktoberfest. It runs from Friday June 17th to Sunday June 26th at Nara Park’s Noborioji Enchi across the street from the Nara Prefectural Office, just a short walk from Nara Kintetsu Station. Several authentic German beers and some local craft beers will be on tap to quench the thirst of festival goers. Food stalls featuring a wide variety of German and international cuisine, attraction and game booths and live performances by the German Oktoberfest Band round out the festivities. Admission to the event is free but each beer glass requires a ¥1,000 refundable deposit and the prices of beer and food vary with the vendor.
Ready to get your drink on?
Reader resources (Japanese): Drink menu: http://www.oktober-fest.jp/nara/menu_drink.html Food menu: http://www.oktober-fest.jp/nara/menu_food.html Band introduction and performance schedule: http://www.oktober-fest.jp/nara/band.html Works Consulted:
http://www.ofest.com/history.html http://www.oktober-fest.jp/about.html (Japanese) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest https://www.facebook.com/events/1386942808028426/