Kanazawa Celebrates Local Food Culture at Oishii Festa 2026
News related to:Kanazawa Biyori · 2 min read
KANAZAWA, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Kanazawa, Japan, From October 17 to 18, 2026, the city will host the KANAZAWA Oishii Festa 2026, a two-day celebration of local food culture and fermentation. The event, which translates to "delicious" in Japanese, aims to showcase the unique flavors and traditions of Kanazawa, a city renowned for its rich culinary heritage.
The festival, held at Shiinoki Ryokuchi, a green space in Kanazawa, will feature about 40 vendors, including well-known restaurants and specialty shops. The main theme, "Local Ingredients and Fermentation," will be explored through 23 food vendors who will serve dishes that reimagine Kaga vegetables and local seafood using traditional fermentation techniques. Kaga vegetables, heirloom varieties grown in Kanazawa since before 1945, and local seafood will be given a new twist through the distinctive flavors of Ōno soy sauce, brewed in Kanazawa's Ōno district since the early 1600s, and Kaga miso, a rich miso made with a generous amount of rice koji.
In addition to the food stalls, the festival will offer a wide range of drinks, including sake from Kanazawa, craft beer, and original cocktails. Visitors can sample a variety of dishes or simply relax on the festival grounds. The event will also include hands-on workshops, such as making jō-namagashi (delicate seasonal Japanese confections), pickling vegetables with koji, making mayonnaise, and a sake tasting. These workshops are open to all ages, with reservations required for some activities.
To support the recovery of Noto, a region affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and subsequent heavy rains, the festival will feature food trucks and shops from the Noto region. This initiative aims to provide a platform for local vendors to showcase their products and contribute to the community's recovery efforts.
The festival will also offer a kids' area with free outdoor activities, including kendama, hula hoops, coloring, and more. A stage program will be held on both days, adding to the entertainment value of the event.
Kanazawa Oishii Festa 2026 will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 17 and 18, 2026. The event is open to all visitors, with some workshops limited to those aged 20 and over. The cost of participating in workshops ranges from ¥500 to ¥1,000 (approximately US$3.20-6.30). Parking at the venue is limited, and visitors are encouraged to use public transportation. A digital one-day pass for the Kanazawa Shopping Bus, valid on either October 17 or 18, will go on sale October 7 through the Norimasshi Kanazawa digital transit service and can be used to reach the venue.
The festival organizers hope to provide visitors with a unique opportunity to experience Kanazawa's food culture firsthand, from making traditional sweets to enjoying local delicacies. For those planning an autumn visit to Kanazawa, the festival is an easy and enjoyable place to start, offering a taste of the city's rich culinary heritage.