# What to eat at a Japanese festival

Half the reason to go to a Tokyo matsuri is the row of yatai, the food stalls that line the shrine approach with their striped awnings, griddles and paper lanterns. The menu is almost the same from festival to festival, which is the charm: you learn it once and then hunt for the best version. Here is what to order and how to eat it without annoying anyone. The list of upcoming festivals below is updated daily.

## Griddle classics: yakisoba, takoyaki, okonomiyaki

Follow the sound of metal spatulas and you will find yakisoba: wheat noodles fried on a huge iron plate with cabbage and a little pork, soaked in thick, sweet sauce and finished with aonori seaweed powder and red pickled ginger. It comes in a clear plastic box held shut with a rubber band, and it is the most reliable cheap filler at any festival.

Takoyaki are batter balls with a piece of octopus inside, turned with picks in a dimpled pan until crisp outside and molten inside. They come topped with sauce, mayonnaise, aonori and bonito flakes that wave in the heat. Bite a small hole first and let the steam out, because the centre is far hotter than it looks.

Okonomiyaki is the savoury cabbage pancake. Stalls in Tokyo also sell hiroshimayaki, the layered Hiroshima style with noodles and a thin crepe, though people from Hiroshima simply call it okonomiyaki. Both are heavy, filling and best shared.

- Look for the stall with a queue and a fresh batch on the griddle. Food that sat in boxes for an hour goes soft.
- Grab extra chopsticks or picks at the counter if you plan to share.

- → [Matsuri in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/matsuri.md)
- → [Summer festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/summer-festivals.md)
- → [Matsuri & Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/matsuri.md)

## Grilled, fried and on a stick

Ikayaki in Tokyo means a whole squid grilled on a stick and brushed with soy sauce, and the smell carries a long way down the approach. (In Osaka the same word means a flat squid pancake, so do not be surprised if a friend from Kansai pictures something else.) Next to it you will usually find yakitori and beef skewers, and the frankfurter: a long sausage on a stick, with ketchup and mustard you squeeze on yourself.

Karaage, Japanese fried chicken, is sold in paper cups so you can eat it with a pick while standing. Jaga-bata is a whole steamed potato split open with a knob of butter, and many stalls add soy sauce or a squeeze of mayonnaise on request. It is a simple thing that tastes better outside on a cool evening than it has any right to.

## Sweets: choco banana, candy apples, cotton candy

Choco banana is a banana on a stick dipped in chocolate and coloured sprinkles, and it is the one children point at first. Some stalls let you play a round of rock paper scissors with the stall keeper for a second one. Ringo ame is a small apple coated in hard red candy; ichigo ame does the same with strawberries and has become the more photographed of the two. The candy shell is hard, so take small bites.

Wata ame, cotton candy, is often sold in big printed bags with anime characters, which is what the children are really buying. Taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste or custard, shows up at many stalls too, and so do bags of small round sponge cakes called baby castella, still warm from the mould.

## Ice, drinks and winter warmers

On a summer night the stall to find is kakigori: shaved ice soaked in bright syrup, usually strawberry, melon, lemon and blue Hawaii. A small open secret in Japan is that most standard stall syrups share the same sweet base and differ mainly in colour and flavouring, so pick by colour. Eat it fast before it turns into a cup of sweet water.

Ramune is the lemonade in a glass bottle sealed with a marble. Use the plastic opener on top to push the marble down, hold it for a few seconds while it fizzes, and drink with the bottle tilted so the marble rests in the dents in the neck. Beer, highballs and cold tea are sold from ice boxes, and the legal drinking age in Japan is 20.

Winter festivals and the first days of the new year at shrines have a different menu. Amazake, a sweet, thick drink made from rice koji or sake lees, is served hot in paper cups and is sometimes handed out free by the shrine. Oden, fish cakes, daikon and eggs simmered in broth, appears at cold-weather stalls and is the warmest thing you can hold.

- Amazake made from sake lees can contain a little alcohol, while the koji kind has none. Ask if it matters to you.
- Kakigori melts in minutes in July. Buy it last, after you have found a spot to stand.

- → [Summer festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/summer-festivals.md)
- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Winter in Tokyo: January and February](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/winter.md)

## Stall games: goldfish, yo-yos and cork guns

Between the food stalls are the games. Kingyo sukui is goldfish scooping with a poi, a small frame covered in thin paper that tears when wet. The trick is to slide it in at an angle, keep it moving and lift the fish near the surface. Many stalls let you take home a goldfish or two even if you fail, so decide before you play if you can look after one at home.

Yoyo tsuri is fishing for a water balloon on a rubber band using a paper string with a small hook, and the string gives way just like the poi does. Shateki is a shooting gallery with cork guns where you try to knock a prize off the shelf. Katanuki, now rarer, gives you a thin sheet of pressed candy and a needle: carve out the shape without breaking it and you win a prize. Each go usually costs a few hundred yen.

- → [Tokyo with kids](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kids.md)

## How to eat at a festival without getting looks

Eating outside is normal at festivals, but the custom is to step out of the flow of people and eat standing near the stall, or in the seating or standing area many big festivals set up. Walking slowly through a dense crowd with a hot skewer or dripping kakigori is how yukata get stained and children get poked. On busy temple shopping streets the rule is stricter: on [Nakamise](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E4%BB%B2%E8%A6%8B%E4%B8%96%E5%95%86%E5%BA%97%E8%A1%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%891%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) in Asakusa, for example, people are asked not to eat while walking and to finish beside the shop.

Do not eat in front of the main hall or on the steps of the shrine itself, and keep drinks away from the mikoshi and the people carrying it. If a stall has a few stools or a bench, it is for its own customers.

- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Going to events in Tokyo: the basics](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/event-basics.md)

## Cash, prices, trash and allergies

Bring cash. Most stalls take only coins and notes, a few take Japanese payment apps, and almost none take foreign cards. A standard portion usually costs a few hundred yen, while beef skewers and big plates can go over 1,000 yen, so a few thousand yen in small notes and 100 and 500 yen coins covers an evening. Breaking a 10,000 yen note at the first stall is not popular.

Bins are rare in Tokyo. Large festivals put up temporary trash stations with separate bins for burnables, bottles and cans, and some stalls take back their own containers. Otherwise carry a small bag and take your rubbish home.

Food cooked on the spot at stalls does not have to carry an ingredient label in Japan, so do not expect allergy information. If you have an allergy, ask directly, and it helps to carry a card in Japanese naming what you cannot eat. Common hidden ingredients are wheat in the batters and sauces, egg in mayonnaise, shellfish in seasoning, and peanuts or sesame in sweets.

- Useful words: 小麦 (wheat), 卵 (egg), 乳 (milk), えび (shrimp), かに (crab), 落花生 (peanut), そば (buckwheat).
- Keep a pack of wet wipes. Sauce and candy get everywhere, and few festivals have taps.

- → [Tokyo on a budget: free things to do](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/budget.md)
- → [The biggest festivals in Tokyo worth planning a trip around](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/best-festivals.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[WA Festival in Minamisenju Nakadori](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/wain)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Minamisenju Nakadori (Arakawa) · price on the official site
- **[Koganei Park Cosmos Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/koganei-park-cosmos-festival-2026)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Koganei Park Tsutsuji-yama Plaza · price on the official site
- **[Sumiyume Dance Parade: SUMIBON](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sumibon)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 14:00 (JST) · Sumida Park Soyokaze Plaza (Sumida) · Free entry
- **[Cosmos Flower Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/cosmos-flower-festival-2026)** — Sat, Sep 12, 2026 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Showa Memorial Park (Tachikawa) · ¥450
- **[Hamura Community and Industry Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hamura-community-and-industry-festival-2026)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 10:00 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · S&D Sports Park Fujimi (Hamura City Fujimi Park) · Free entry
- **[Kototoi Stroll Halloween Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/halloween-festival)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Sakamoto Morning Glory Square (Taito) · Free entry
- **[53rd Nihonbashi and Kyobashi Festival: Grand Edo Parade](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/53rd-nihonbashi-and-kyobashi-festival-grand-edo-parade)** — Sun, Nov 1, 2026 11:00 (JST) · Chuo-dori (Kyobashi 3-chome to Nihonbashi Muromachi 3-chome) and others (Chuo) · Free entry
- **[Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/asakusa-tori-no-ichi-festival)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Thu, Nov 19, 2026 (JST) · Asakusa Tori-no-Tera / Chokokuji (Taito) · Free entry
- **[25th Dream Yosakoi Night Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/25th-dream-yosakoi-night-festival)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Odaiba Statue of Liberty Venue, Fuji TV Venue, Odaiba Central Parade Venue, Stone and Light Plaza Venue, Marunouchi Venue (Minato) · Free entry
- **[Suteki-kai Autumn Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/suteki-kai-autumn-festival)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 (JST) · soko station 146 (Koto) · price on the official site
- **[Good Fortune Fair – Tori-no-Ichi Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/good-fortune-fair-tori-no-ichi-festival)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Thu, Nov 19, 2026 (JST) · Chokokuji Temple (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Mountain Village Autumn Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mountain-village-autumn-festival)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 09:30 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Okutama Lakeside Park Yama no Furusato Village · Free entry
- **[WA Festival on Asakusa Kokusai Street](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/wain-2)** — Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Asakusa View Hotel 2F - Public Outdoor Space (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[74th Chuo City Tourism and Commerce Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/74th-chuo-city-tourism-and-commerce-festival)** — Thu, Oct 1, 2026 – Tue, Nov 17, 2026 (JST) · Various Locations in Chuo (Chuo) · price on the official site
- **[2026 Furusato Kohoku Friendship Festival & Autumn Yokoari-kun Festival (Joint Event)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/2026-furusato-kohoku-friendship-festival-autumn-yokoari-kun)** — Mon, Nov 23, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Yokohama Arena (神奈川県) · price on the official site
- **[Mount Takao Autumn Foliage Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mount-takao-autumn-foliage-festival)** — Sat, Oct 24, 2026 – Sun, Dec 13, 2026 (JST) · Mount Takao (Hachioji) · price on the official site
- **[Hagoita-ichi Battledore Market 2026 (Sensoji)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hagoita-ichi-battledore-market-2026-sensoji-7925)** — Thu, Dec 17, 2026 – Sat, Dec 19, 2026 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Hatsumode at Meiji Jingu 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hatsumode-at-meiji-jingu-2027-7918)** — Fri, Jan 1, 2027 – Sun, Jan 3, 2027 (JST) · Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Hatsumode at Sensoji 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hatsumode-at-sensoji-2027-7919)** — Fri, Jan 1, 2027 – Sun, Jan 3, 2027 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Torikoe Shrine New Year's Bonfire Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/torikoe-shrine-new-years-bonfire-festival)** — Fri, Jan 8, 2027 13:00 (JST) · Torigoe Shrine Grounds (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Setsubun Bean-Throwing 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/setsubun-bean-throwing-2027-7924)** — Wed, Feb 3, 2027 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Yushima Tenjin Plum Festival 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/yushima-tenjin-plum-festival-2027-7926)** — Mon, Feb 8, 2027 – Mon, Mar 8, 2027 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry

## Questions people ask

**Do festival food stalls in Tokyo take cards?**
Mostly no. Bring cash in small notes and coins; a few stalls accept Japanese payment apps, but foreign cards almost never work.

**How much does festival food cost?**
A standard portion of yakisoba, takoyaki or a sweet usually costs a few hundred yen. Beef skewers and larger plates can cost more than 1,000 yen.

**Can I eat while walking at a Japanese festival?**
It is tolerated in festival crowds, but the polite way is to step aside and eat near the stall or in an eating area. Some temple shopping streets, such as Nakamise in Asakusa, ask you not to eat while walking at all.

**Is festival food safe if I have allergies?**
Stall food cooked on the spot does not need ingredient labels in Japan, so ask the stall directly and carry a note in Japanese. Batters and sauces usually contain wheat, and mayonnaise contains egg.

**Can I keep the goldfish from goldfish scooping?**
At most stalls, yes, often even if your paper scoop breaks. Only take one if you can set up a tank or bowl at home, since the fish can live for years.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/festival-food