“Yamagata Wine Bal 2026” will be held over two days, Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, 2026, around Kaminoyama Castle and within the Kaminoyama Onsen area.
The event is one of Japan’s largest wine festivals, bringing together one of the biggest lineups of wineries ever assembled for an outdoor wine event.
Here are the details.
About “Yamagata Wine Bal 2026”
Yamagata Wine Bal is an event built around the concept of “remaining a place where people can encounter wines full of individuality,” and is loved by wine fans from inside and outside Yamagata Prefecture, as well as from overseas.
In 2025, approximately 7,700 people attended over the two days. The event has continued to attract many repeat visitors from both within and outside the prefecture and will mark its 11th edition this year.
At “Yamagata Wine Bal 2026,” a record 65 wineries from Yamagata and other regions are expected to participate, including local producer Takeda Winery in Kaminoyama, known as a pioneer of natural wine, and Sakai Winery in Nanyo, the oldest winery in Tohoku.
What to Expect
The greatest appeal of “Yamagata Wine Bal 2026” is that visitors can do more than simply “drink” wine—they can also “learn, talk, and experience.”
At the venue, producers themselves will pour their wines and visitors can hear directly about grape characteristics and the winemakers’ approach to production.
With Yamagata’s rich food culture woven into the experience, it promises to be a memorable wine event.
Why not take part?
Reference
Official “Yamagata Wine Bal” website