Ueno Park Fountain Square

What better way to stay toasty in the cold weather than making a stop at Japan’s biggest hot cocktail festival? There’ll be plenty of classics, such as mulled wine, as well as adult versions of beverages like lemonade and hot chocolate. The venue will also offer an array of festival snacks and meals to accompany the drinks. Entertainment for the day will include a line-up of street performers, dance troupes, DJs and live painting. You can now purchase starter set tickets in advance online at a reduced price.

The 12th edition of the Kakuuchi Festival is set to be another boozy affair. ‘Kakuuchi’ refers to the bar that’s inside a liquor store and this festival celebrates the kakuuchi culture by replicating the drinking style. Here, small bars serving up a selection of sake, shochu and wine will be attached to their respective liquor store booth. Additionally, there will be around 30 food stalls cooking up sweet and savoury dishes to pair with your drinks.Admission is ¥500 and it comes with a free sake tasting experience. However, if you're looking to sample a variety of alcohol from the comfort of your own table, get an admission and seat bundle, which comes with one drink token. Both ticket types can be purchased in advance online, to avoid the queues. 

Head over to Ueno Park in February to warm up with a popular Japanese winter soul food. Held for five days from February 19 to February 23, this festival is serving up piping-hot bowls of oden from 24 regions of Japan (and 1 from South Korea) and cups of sake from Okinawa to Aomori. Oden is a hot pot-style dish consisting of an assortment of fish cakes along with daikon radish, konnyaku and more, all cooked in a nourishing broth of dashi, soy sauce, sake and mirin.  Match this comforting winter warmer with a fragrant cup of sake (sold both hot and cold) to truly conquer the chill. 17 vendors from across the country will be pouring their best local sake, craft beer, homemade cocktails and more. The festival will set the mood with a wide range of live entertainment on stage. (Details yet to be released for 2026) Check the event website for the full list of performing artists and sake vendors.