Fukuoka and the French city of Bordeaux signed a sister city pact on November 8, 1982. In order to further strengthen these ties, the Fukuoka Bordeaux Wine Festival, one of the biggest of its kind in the country, was established in 2017 to celebrate 35 years of sister city relations. 

In order to bring different generations together on the 10th annual holding of this event, the ultimate marriage of delicious cuisine and terrific Bordeaux wine is available from May 15 (Friday) until June 14 (Sunday) at the Fukuoka City Hall West Side Fureai Plaza. 

A casual and festive atmosphere where eating, drinking, and having fun come together

This year’s Fukuoka Bordeaux Wine Festival seeks to promote itself to an even wider audience as a place where one can casually stop by for a bite and drink while continuing to uphold the Bordeaux wine standard. For many younger people wine comes across as somewhat difficult and imposing, so to attract a younger audience, the event is emphasizing food and wine pairings. For this reason, the food this year has been selected based on how well it pairs with the wines, which in turn have been selected based on how enjoyable they are with food.

The festival now has this new gastronomic angle where guests can find their favorite dish and wine combination. Popular features of previous festivals like the availability of wines from the 5 Great Chateaux will also continue this year. Classical and jazz music will be performed on stage, creating a refined atmosphere where the cultures of Fukuoka and Bordeaux intermingle. Visitors can expect an unhurried and relaxed atmosphere filled with good food, drink, and music. 

Free entry/food and drink cost

>>For the detailed 2026 wine list, please click here
>>For a list of restaurants, please click here

Introducing the event’s new key visual: a guardian owl!

Since this year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, all the logos and images have been totally revamped. This year the new symbolic character is considered both a guardian deity and wise sage of the forest: the owl. The owl is known for protecting grapevines from harmful pests, serving as a kind of living pesticide that respects nature and the ecosystem. By calling on these associations, the owl is meant to give the event a relatable character and more firmly root it in tradition. 

▲The new owl event mascot

Sister city relations between Fukuoka and Bordeaux 

■A bond joining east and west for over 40 years

In 1977, the then-director of the Kyushu Franco-Japanese Institute proposed the idea of establishing a sister-city relationship between the two cities. Through a series of grassroots exchanges including visits to Bordeaux by private organizations, the hosting of children’s art and photography exhibitions, and a sister-university agreement between Kyushu University and the University of Bordeaux, these efforts bore fruit, leading to the formal establishment of the sister-city relationship in November 1982.

Over the years since the establishment of these ties, both cities have carried out a wide variety of cultural exchange programs involving wine, cuisine, and even business and education exchange initiatives. The bond between the two cities continues to deepen thanks to these efforts. 

 

*Underage drinking and drinking and driving are prohibited by law.

Date/time

May 15, 2026 (Friday) ~ June 14, 2026 (Sunday)
Weekdays: 17:00 ~ 22:00 
Weekends: 12:00 ~ 22:00
*To be held in event of light rain, cancelled in event of strong winds or inclement weather

*Request to Visitors
Please observe the following guidelines when visiting the event.
● If you are driving, please do not drink alcohol under any circumstances.
● If you are under 20 years of age, please do not drink alcohol under any circumstances.
● Please use the designated smoking areas.
● Please refrain from bringing your own food or drinks.

*Underage drinking and drinking while driving are prohibited by law.