A Japanese Food Festival is an event dedicated to showcasing Japan’s diverse and delicious cuisine. These festivals have many food stalls, cooking shows, and cultural performances. They celebrate the country’s food traditions.
1. Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido
When: Early February
Where: Sapporo, Hokkaido
Famous Food: Hot seafood soup (Ishikari Nabe), fresh crab, Hokkaido ramen
Sapporo Snow Festival is Japan’s favorite winter festival. This Japanese Food Festival happens every February in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. It draws millions of visitors from around the world. This Japanese Food Festival is renowned for its gigantic snow and ice sculptures as tall as a building!
But this Japanese Food Festival is not just about the snow—it’s also a culinary paradise! Hokkaido is famous for its fresh seafood and milk, and there are many food stalls selling mouth-watering local dishes. The most popular dish is Ishikari Nabe, a seafood hot pot filled with salmon, vegetables, and miso soup. It’s the perfect dish to keep you warm in the cold weather! and fresh crab.
Hokkaido is one of Japan’s best producers of crabs, including king crab, snow crab, and hairy crab. It can be grilled, used in soups, or served raw as sashimi.
Some of the other popular festival foods are Hokkaido ramen, scallops broiled, and Hokkaido soft-serve ice cream. No matter whether you are in the mood for seafood, meat, or sweets, the Sapporo Snow Festival has it all! And to make your experience even more memorable, join us at Japan Local and Fun Experiences! Our guided tours will show you the best local food spots. This includes places featured at the festival. You will enjoy the real flavors of Japan in a fun and engaging way. Don’t miss out on the ultimate food adventure with Japan Local and Fun Experiences !
2. Tsukiji Fish Festival, Tokyo
When : Spring or autumn
Where: Tsukiji Uogashi, Tokyo
Popular Food: Grilled tuna, fresh sushi, seafood rice bowls (kaisendon)
Seafood enthusiasts, look no further! Tsukiji Fish Festival is a must-visit for you. This Japanese Food Festival takes place every November at Tsukiji Uogashi, near the former Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. It is an excellent destination to purchase fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
The highlight of this Japanese Food Festival is the massive tuna cutting display. Trained fish cutters slice up a whole tuna with big knives before the audience. After the demonstration, you can buy fresh tuna sashimi at a special rate lower than during normal times!
Several food stalls serving luxurious seafood cuisine are there too. Some of the foods most in demand include:
Fresh sushi made from top-quality fish found in the current season.
Smoked tuna (maguro) with a deep, smoky flavor.
Seafood rice bowls (kaisendon) topped with salmon, tuna, shrimp, and sea urchin.
Hot seafood soups for a cold day.
Many famous sushi chefs come to this Japanese Food Festival. You can enjoy high-quality sushi at lower prices. But if you’re looking for a truly immersive experience, why not take it a step further? Join our Shibuya Perfect Taste For Families Food Tour and explore the best of Japanese cuisine with expert guidance! After enjoying great sushi at the festival, we invite you to explore Shibuya’s hidden food spots. These places are perfect for families who want to taste real Japan in a fun and engaging way!
3. Furusato Matsuri, Tokyo
When: Mid-January
Where: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
Famous Food: Local Japanese food, wagyu beef, ramen, seafood
Furusato Food Festival is Japan’s biggest food festival. This Japanese Food Festival takes place every January at the Tokyo Dome, which is a massive stadium in Tokyo. This Japanese Food Festival is unique. It features traditional food from all over Japan. You can find many different dishes in one location.
On this Japanese Food Festival , you can also get to taste famous local cuisine from all over Japan. Some of the best foods are:
Wagyu beef: priced-high, tender Japanese beef cooked to perfection in a perfect color.
Regional ramen: different varieties of ramen originating from Sapporo, Hakata, and Tokyo.
Fresh seafood: sushi, barbecued scallops, and crab from Japan’s coastal areas.
Street food: takoyaki (octopus balls), yakitori (grilled chicken sticks), and taiyaki (fish-shaped sweet cakes).
Among the festival highlights is the “Donburi Grand Prix” event, where one gets to hunt for Japan’s best rice bowl dish. Chefs from all over Japan create tasty kaisendon (seafood rice bowl), gyudon (beef rice bowl), and unadon (grilled eel bowl). Guests will try these dishes and vote for their favorites.
Furusato Food Festival is the perfect place to experience Japan’s diverse culinary culture in one spot, without the need to travel across the country. But if you want to explore even more delicious flavors, Tokyo Best Halal Muslim’s Friendly Food Tour With Guide & Sweets! This tour takes you on a journey through Tokyo’s best halal-friendly food spots, with expert guidance and sweet treats to enjoy along the way. It’s a must-try for food lovers looking for an authentic and worry-free dining experience!
4. Ramen Expo, Osaka
When: December (Weekends)
Where: Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, Osaka
Famous Food: Different types of ramen from all over Japan.
If you are a ramen enthusiast, then the Ramen Expo in Osaka is the perfect festival for you! It is conducted every December, and different ramen stores participate each weekend. It is conducted at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, a popular destination in Osaka.
At Ramen Expo, you can try different regional ramen styles from all over Japan. Each region of Japan has its own unique ramen flavors, and this event brings them all together in one place! Some of the most famous variations of ramen include:
Tonkotsu Ramen (Hakata-style): A rich, creamy meat bone broth from Fukuoka.
Shoyu Ramen (Tokyo-style): a soy sauce-based broth with a light, savory taste.
Miso Ramen (Sapporo-style): rich, flavorful miso-based broth from Hokkaido.
Shio Ramen (Hakodate-style): clear, salty broth with a light taste.
Tsukemen: thick noodles served separately with dipping sauce.
There are over 40 different ramen shops at the festival, so visitors can try different flavors and pick their favorite! Each bowl of ramen is around ¥800–¥1000, so it is a reasonable price to try the best ramen from around Japan.
Ramen Expo is a paradise for ramen lovers, offering a chance to taste different styles of Japan’s most famous noodle dish. If you’re in Osaka during December, this event is a must-visit! And for an even deeper dive into Osaka’s food culture, join Explore Osaka flavors with the Namba Food Tour After enjoying the best ramen, let us take you on a journey through Namba’s hidden gems, where you’ll discover more delicious local flavors and street food specialties!
5. Miyajima Oyster Festival, Hiroshima
When: Early February
Where: Miyajima Island, Hiroshima
Celebrity Food: Fresh oysters (grilled, fried, steamed), oyster rice, oyster soup
If you love oysters, then the Miyajima Oyster Festival is the perfect event for you! This Japanese Food festival takes place every year in February on Miyajima Island, a beautiful spot near Hiroshima, famous for its floating torii gate.
Hiroshima prides itself on having the world’s freshest oysters in Japan, and the festival all revolves around basking in the delicious, fresh taste of its oysters. which are a prominent part of Japanese food culture. These luscious oysters are consumed in various ways:
Grilled oysters are barbecued using charcoal, which gives them a smoky flavor.
Fried oysters (Kaki Furai): outside crispy and juicy inside.
Steamed oysters: They are soft with a lot of natural flavors.
Oyster rice (Kaki Meshi): a tasty seasoned and oyster rice dish.
Oyster soup (Kaki Jiru): A warm, comforting soup based on miso and freshly caught oysters.
The best part is that the oysters here are not expensive and fresh, so you can just go on and have as much as you want! There is also live performance, local sake tasting, and beautiful scenery of Itsukushima Shrine.
If you find yourself in Hiroshima in February, the Miyajima Oyster Festival is not to be missed for seafood lovers! And with our Hiroshima Night Food Tour all included, we’ll take you on a flavorful journey through the city’s best local spots.
6. Hokkaido Food Festival, Tokyo
When: Early October
Where: Yoyogi Park, Tokyo
Renowned Food: Hokkaido seafood, soup curry, melon, dairy products
Hokkaido Food Festival is Tokyo’s biggest food festival. Each year, it is held in October at Yoyogi Park and brings the best of Hokkaido’s cuisine to the capital. Hokkaido is famous for its fresh seafood, rich dairy items, and delicious seasonal produce, and this festival gives you a chance to enjoy all of these at one time! Some of the foods most in demand at the festival are:
New seafood: Hokkaido is famous for crab, scallops, sea urchin, and salmon roe. Enjoy them grilled, as sushi, or in seafood rice bowls (kaisendon).
Soup curry: is Sapporo’s favorite dish that features a rich, spicy soup and vegetables.
Hokkaido ramen: miso ramen with rich, buttery, thick noodles.
Hokkaido melon: sweet, juicy melons, typically served with soft-serve ice cream.
Cheese and dairy products: Hokkaido milk, cheese, and soft-serve ice cream are Japan’s best!
The event itself is free admission, and all the dishes run from ¥500–¥1500, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy Hokkaido’s world-famous cuisine at affordable prices. It is also the best chance to taste limited items that cannot easily be found in other places around Japan beyond Hokkaido!
If you’re a fan of seafood, ramen, and Japanese food fanatics, you simply cannot afford to miss the Tokyo Hokkaido Food Festival! And with our Full -Day Food Tour Adventure to Explore the Beauty of Tokyo, we’ll take you on a journey through Tokyo’s historic streets, where you’ll taste authentic local dishes, discover hidden gems.
7. Takayama Hida Beef Festival, Gifu
When: Early October
Where: Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Well-known Food: Hida beef (grilled, sushi, skewers), Hida beef buns
Wagyu beef enthusiasts, pay attention. If you are one, you will have to experience the Takayama Hida Beef Festival in Gifu Prefecture. The festival celebrates all things Hida beef, which is Japan’s best wagyu beef breed, a well-known Japanese food famous for its high marbling, softness, and deep flavors.
You can enjoy Hida beef in so many delicious ways at the festival:
Grilled Hida beef: yummy, tender beef that has been grilled to perfection.
Hida beef sushi: thin slices of raw beef on sushi rice, sometimes very lightly grilled.
Hida beef skewers: convenient, easily chewable grilled beef skewers with a smoky taste.
Hida beef buns (Nikuman): delicious, fluffy steamed buns filled with beef.
The festival occurs in Takayama, which is a pretty traditional town having traditional wooden buildings, old alleys, and beautiful mountains. Besides the yummy beef dishes, visitors can even taste local sake, handcrafted sweets, and fresh foods from the district.
Since Hida beef is rare and expensive, this festival is a great place to enjoy it at reasonable prices with the good atmosphere of Takayama. Enjoy this food festival when you visit Gifu in October! Japan Local and Fun Experiences creates the perfect itinerary for you, ensuring you taste the best local flavors and experience food like never before
8. Sanuki Udon Festival, Kagawa
When: Late September
Where: Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture
Famous Food: Sanuki udon (hot and cold), tempura, dashi broth
If you are a fan of noodles, then the Sanuki Udon Festival in Kagawa Prefecture is perfect for you! Kagawa is notoriously known as the “Udon Prefecture” because it produces Japan’s top udon, Sanuki udon. This festival, which is celebrated in Takamatsu, pays tribute to this thick, chewy noodle dish by offering it with different flavors and toppings.
You are able to try udon in several different forms at the festival:
Kake Udon: Udon served hot in a simple but flavorful dashi broth.
Bukkake Udon : Udon served cold topped with a thick soy sauce-based sauce.
Curry Udon : Udon noodles served in a thick, hot Japanese curry sauce.
Tempura Udon : Udon topped with shrimp or vegetable tempura that has been fried.
There are even udon workshops where you can learn to knead, cut, and cook udon noodles like a pro! Since Kagawa’s Sanuki udon is famous all over Japan, this festival is a special chance to sample the freshest, most authentic udon dishes.
If you’re interested in sampling authentic Japanese food, the Sanuki Udon Festival is not to be missed with The Best Food Tour in Japan With Japan Local and Fun Experiences.
9. Sendai Gyutan Festival, Miyagi
When: Early August
Where: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
Renowned Food: Grilled beef tongue (gyutan), gyutan curry, gyutan stew
Sendai Gyutan Festival is everything about gyutan, or grilled beef tongue, a local favorite of Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture. Gyutan is one of Japan’s most beloved and most tasty Japanese food, renowned for being tender, smoky, and juicy-tasting.
You may eat gyutan several ways during this festival, including:
Grilled gyutan: The way you traditionally have it, charred over a flame and accompanied with rice.
Gyutan curry: Gentle beef tongue in sumptuous, aromatic Japanese curry sauce.
Gyutan stew: Slowly cooked beef tongue in dense, meaty sauce.
Gyutan sushi: Thin, delicately grilled beef tongue on sushi rice.
Sendai is the birthplace of gyutan, and this festival is where you can find the freshest and most authentic version of the dish. With the dish, you can enjoy live music, cultural performances.
If you happen to be in japan in August, don’t miss this festival—it’s a rare chance to try one of Japan’s most famous local specialties! Japan Local and Fun Experiences will take you through the heart of Japan’s culinary heritage where you immerse yourself in the culture behind every dish.
10. Kyoto Tofu Festival, Kyoto
When: Early February
Where: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto
Celebrity Food: Fresh yudofu (hot tofu), tofu skin (yuba), sesame tofu
Kyoto Tofu Festival is a historic and traditional food festival to celebrate the greatness of Kyoto’s famous tofu culture. Held every year in February at the historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, the festival offers a chance to taste some of Japan’s best tofu made in many different ways.
Kyoto is renowned for its premium tofu, which is a beloved Japanese food known for its clean water and rich culinary culture. Here, you will get to try:
Yudofu (hot tofu in broth): Silky, tender tofu slow-cooked in a light broth with green onions and soy sauce.
Yuba (tofu skin): A specialty made from skimming the thin surface of boiled soy milk, fresh or dried.
Goma dofu (sesame tofu): A rich, creamy tofu produced from sesame with a distinctive nutty taste.
Tofu-based sweets: Including tofu donuts and tofu ice cream!
While the festival is certainly about eating—there are also traditional tea ceremonies, cooking demonstrations, and tofu-making workshops where one can learn of Kyoto’s rich history with tofu.
Now, with our Kyoto Food Tour ( Zip Into Japan Iconic Cities In 3 Days(Tokyo,Hakone,Kyoto,Osaka) you can delve deeper into these experiences. Indulge in delicious dishes while watching live cooking demonstrations by local chefs in an experience that will captivate you in the beauty and magic of Japan.
Japanese food festivals are an amazing experience for anyone interested in food. With steaming street foods and home-made tofu, every festival has a tale to tell about tradition, love to cook, and home taste. Whether one attends the festivals that sell tofu in Kyoto or enjoys delectable miso ramen soup in Hokkaido, the festivals reflect the love Japan has for cooking.
But why read about them if you can taste them yourself? At Japan Local and Fun Experience Food Tours, don’t visit them alone—we bring them to the best local food joints, off the radar stops, and genuine flavors. Are you hungry to taste real Japanese cuisine? Join us and dine like the locals!
