Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, Der Gemütlichkeit!

This German was not about to pass up an Oktoberfest, especially not one that advertised 22 brews, an Oompa band, and most importantly: singing German songs.

I was going to Oktoberfest no matter what, and was pleased to find that the new guy in Yokosuka was up for a good time in Yokohama. On the train ride there, I discovered that Sonny was coming from Naples, Italy, and was interested in finding out how an Oktoberfest in Japan would compare to the one he'd been to in Deutschland.

We joined the entrance line that wrapped around the festival, about 15 minutes, 100 people and ¥200 ($2) later, we were in. With my German weisen and four sausage platter with sauerkraut in hand, we hunted for a table before sitting down to enjoy our feast. This is the obligatory food picture for Grandma Kann, Michelle, and Tammy. We were joined by two other gentlemen looking who occupied the open seats next to us. Turns out they were friends from New York, one an Air Force pilot and his buddy who teaches English in Tokyo. One was of Korean descent, the other of Vietnamese descent. Add in my friend Sonny, who emigrated from Thailand as a young boy, and the token German (me), and it sounds like the punchline of a joke is coming (thanks for pointing that out Somchai).

While I don't have a punchline, I soon realized that I appreciated how Oktoberfest has moved beyond Munich. I was grateful to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the introduction of beer to Yokohama too.

We soon learned that even with the German enthusiasm and an Oompa band, German Oktoberfest songs are not to be sung at a volume louder than Lutherans sitting in the back of church. But if you'd like, you can join the masses at the top of your lungs with "Achy Breaky Heart" and other "American" songs all night long! I just don't think they (Japanese) understand (the words and how to sing the German tunes) - Billy Ray Cyrus is my secret favorite (only joking).

Oktoberfest was much bigger than I anticipated, and there were as many people inside as there were outside. As the sun went down, it cooled off quickly outside since Yokohama is right on the water, and many people moved inside. As you can see, it was a family affair, this picture was taken at about 8:30pm.

The beer drinking was a classy affair, you paid a ¥1000 (about $10) deposit for your glass, and another ¥1000 for a beer. This was not your classic plastic cup college kegger. I had the pleasure of trying the Weisen, Oktoberfest Weisen, and Rauch. Three down, 19 to go... So much good beer to try, so little time. Happy Oktoberfest!