JAPAN Fes Bringing Tokyo to NYC
Can't make it to Tokyo? JAPAN Fes 2026 is bringing over 30 Japanese street food festivals to NYC throughout the year [https://timeout.com/newyork/news/this-massive-japanese-street-food-festival-is-almost-back-031226]. Expect authentic takoyaki, okonomiyaki, matcha sweets, with vendors flying in from Japan. Meanwhile, Tokyo's May events include local food markets and cultural celebrations [https://tokyocheapo.com/events/may/?wswy=0%7C].
JAPAN Fes, first launched in New York City in 2016, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The festival has grown to become the world's largest Japanese food festival, with over 2,000 vendors and attracting over one million annual attendees. The festival occurs throughout the year, from March to October, at different locations throughout New York City, including Astor Place, Midtown West, and the Upper West Side. In 2026, JAPAN Fes will host more than 21 events. JAPAN Fes was founded by Okayama-born entrepreneur Dragon Yamamoto, who moved to New York in 2011. Yamamoto's company, Jforward Inc., aims to unite cultures through food, music, and art.
