It looks like “The 72nd Oktoberfest at Rokko Island” will be held at Rokko Island Event Square on Saturday, October 3. A shop from Ashiya will also be taking part 🍻
Quoted from the Kobe Rokko Island Community Information Website
The 72nd Oktoberfest at Rokko Island
Records reportedly show that Deutsche Schule Kobe International hosted Japan’s very first Oktoberfest. The fact that this is already the 72nd one says a lot about its incredible history!
When is it?
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Where is it?
Rokko Island Event Square
The square is along River Mall, just steps from Rokko Liner’s Island Center Station. A separate Oktoberfest organized by parents will also be held at the Deutsche Schule Kobe International campus, across the road on the south side of the venue. It’s a rare opportunity to go inside the school and enjoy the festivities, so be sure to check it out too.
Here’s the location on the map ↓
The address is 6-12 Koyocho-naka, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo.
What will be happening?
This will be the first year for the outdoor area, which is expected to bring together food and drink vendors from Kobe and the wider Kansai region.
- Authentic German beer and sausages 🍻
- Food booths and food trucks—featuring vendors from Kobe and across Kansai 🚚
- Live music by Edelweiss Kapelle—authentic Bavarian music 🎶
- A special Bundesliga “VfB Stuttgart” program ⚽
- Kids’ activity room (inside the school) 🧸
- Parents’ Café—homemade cakes and drinks (inside the school) 🍰
- Tombola raffle—you might win a traditional German cuckoo clock (inside the school) 🕰️
- Sustainability workshops—including making fans with “leaf leather” produced from pineapple leaves 🌱
- Stage performances by students and staff 🎤
Ashiya’s FLAX芦屋, which just opened this September, will also have a booth. It plans to serve pretzels, mentaiko pretzel sandwiches, and wine 🥨
Incidentally, the event organizer, Deutsche Schule Kobe International, also teaches French. The connection reportedly came about through ties to Alsace, a region of France bordering Germany. Please note that FLAX芦屋 will be temporarily closed on Saturday, October 3.
How much does it cost?
Admission is free (some activities require a fee)
How do I sign up?
No registration is required. Simply head to the venue on the day.
Organizer: Deutsche Schule Kobe International educational corporation / Supported by: Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
For event details, see → here
In closing
We had no idea that Japan’s first Oktoberfest was held at the German school in Kobe! With authentic German beer and sausages, plus FLAX’s hugely popular pretzels, there’s plenty to enjoy—so if it sounds interesting, be sure to stop by.
六甲アイランドまで、どうやって行く？
