Several food festivals are held in Japan every year. Food brings us joy, and we’re sure we can all agree on that.
Every foodie enjoys trying new flavors on vacations, and one thing we must do when visiting other nations is sampling the local cuisine.
For a variety of reasons, Japan is a must-see trip: beautiful scenery, cutting-edge technology, and a unique culture.
The food, though, is unquestionably the most appealing aspect for many.
Japan holds festivals at shrines, temples, and other locations to commemorate seasonal or historical events.
On festival days, shop owners set up “yatai,” or outside stands on the road, in parks, or along routes leading to shrines.
Festivals offer a wide range of delicacies and sweets and are a terrific chance to sample Japanese street food cheaply.
Furthermore, no better opportunity to sample a variety of regional foods than at a food festival? Many of these festivals are held throughout Japan at any time of year.
In addition, Japan is known for hosting the best food festivals, which feature a wide range of cuisines and will undoubtedly satisfy your desire to sample a wide range of cuisines in one location.
1. Ramen Expo (Osaka)
Ramen is one of Japan’s most popular cuisines, and every weekend in December, it is dedicated to celebrating one of the food festivals in Japan.
At this event, visitors can sample the tastiest ramen from throughout Japan.
If you enjoy ramen, this is the festival for you! In December, Expo Commemoration Park hosts a two-day ramen festival during which you can sample a variety of ramen dishes from all across Japan.
2. Furusato Matsuri (Tokyo)
The Furusato Food Festival is one of the many food festivals in Japan, where you may sample all of Japan’s regional food in one location!
The festival takes place during the second week of January, and it takes place in the Tokyo Dome.
You can probably guess how large the scale is, right? If you’re unsure what kind of local cuisine to seek at this festival.
Furthermore, would you like to see all of Japan, but would your time or finances prevent you from doing so? It’s almost like taking a one-day trip to Japan.
A percentage of the revenues will go to Japan’s catastrophe relief efforts. In addition, the Tokyo Dome admission price ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 yen (depending on the time of the day and booking).
3. Sake Spring Kyoto
Sake is well-known in Japan, and for those who prefer this particular drink, this festival will provide the ideal opportunity to have a few glasses.
Just remember to drink responsibly. This event, usually held in April at the Kyoto International Conference Center, will offer you the most excellent sake from all across the country.
In addition, the cost of admission to the arena ranges from $3,500 for advanced tickets to $4,500 at the door. In the late afternoon, tickets are available at a reduced price.
4. Miyajima Oyster Festival
Did you know that Japan’s oyster season runs from January to March? The Miyajima Oyster Festival will begin on the first weekend of February.
They only provide the freshest oysters prepared in a variety of ways.
If you enjoy oysters, this event should be on your to-do list. Furthermore, this festival is one of the most famous Japanese cuisines.
In addition, every February, visitors may purchase the freshest oysters at bargain prices in front of Miyajima Pier. Grilled oysters, oyster okonomiyaki, oyster dote nabe, and oyster stew are also popular meals.
5. Mochitsuki (All over Japan)
Mochitsuki is one of the different food festivals in Japan that people gather to celebrate every Lunar New Year.
The Japanese people gather to eat mochitsuki and toast the new year. Residents make and pound their mochi, a traditional New Year’s dish.
Furthermore, Mochitsuki might occur in a home, at a shrine, or in a community. Other cuisines and entertainment are frequently available!
If you’re in Japan for the Lunar New Year, partake in the mochitsuki festivities.
Furthermore, While this isn’t a special event like the others on the list, it’s a time-honored ritual that’s too good to miss.
On New Year’s Day, you may quickly see residents pounding mochi at shrines around Japan.
In addition, If you’re spending New Year’s in Japan, you won’t want to miss it. Adults and children alike gather to pound their mochi together.
6. Sapporo BeerFest
Sapporo BeerFest is a beer festival in Sapporo, Japan. This is one of the most renowned for its annual winter snow festival, featuring ice and snow sculptures.
However, few people realize its yearly summer Beerfest is quite as pleasant.
In addition, every year from July to August, Odori Koen, the city’s central park, is converted into a massive beer garden for the Sapporo Summer Festival.
Each of Japan’s significant brewers has set up a bar and outdoor seating area, while a foreign tent offers a wide range of beer from around the world.
7. Nabe Festival Tokyo
November heralds the start of winter, and what could be more comforting than a steaming bowl of soup in the frigid air?
The Nabe Festival welcomes tourists to enjoy a tasty hot pot with various veggies and meats to commemorate the winter season.
Furthermore, vendors from all over Japan will be on hand to provide their unique take on hot pot cuisine, so be sure to stop by if you’re planning a vacation to Tokyo in the winter.
8. Kyushu Beer Festival Fukuoka
The Kyushu Beer Festival is one of the different food festivals in Japan. This beer festival will be right up your alley if you like beer over sake.
This festival, held once a year in the spring, brings together Japan’s most well-known breweries. There is usually a lot of meat and a wide choice of craft beers.
9. Nikupaku Fukuoka
This is one of the different food festivals in Japan where meat-eaters usually come together.
Enjoy a selection of meat meals from various Kyushu restaurants and cafes at Nikupaku.
Consider wagyu beef cubes, hamburgers, karaage, yakitori, and other dishes. The event is held every year in March, but it was moved to September last year due to the pandemic.
