Now in its 27th edition, the largest Japanese cultural event outside of Japan returns to the São Paulo Expo in July 2026. The Japan Festival focuses on Japanese cuisine and traditions, featuring immersive experiences and aiming to bring Brazil even closer to the Land of the Rising Sun.
First held in 1998, the festival was created to celebrate Japanese immigration to Brazil and today also honors the strong relationship between the two countries. In fact, this year’s theme is “Kizuna – Bonds That Unite.”
Organized by the Japanese-Brazilian community, the three-day festival offers visitors a complete immersion in culture, cuisine, technology, art, and pop culture. There will also be themed areas, exhibitions, and concerts throughout the event!
The festival’s cuisine
One of the festival’s main attractions is the large food court, which features traditional dishes from 47 Japanese prefectures. The food is prepared by families of Japanese descent, giving the event the unique charm of home-cooked meals.
Dozens of regional food stalls offer traditional family dishes, featuring rare recipes not found in conventional restaurants. Options range from snacks to full meals.
What to expect from the Japan Festival?
In addition to the cuisine, the public can also enjoy a packed schedule of performances. These include folk dances, traditional music, choirs, taiko performances, and martial arts demonstrations.
In addition, the stage also features bands and traditional practices such as Bon’odori, the tea ceremony, and ikebana demonstrations. Meanwhile, there are also areas focused on pop culture, such as manga, anime, and fashion. And, of course, cosplay and beauty pageants.
In other words, the result is a mix of a cultural fair, a food festival, and a pop culture fan convention. To put it simply, it’s an event that appeals to all generations!
How can you participate?
This year, the festival will take place on July 10, 11, and 12, all day long. The event will be held at São Paulo Expo (Rodovia dos Imigrantes, km 1.5, in Vila Água Funda), with tickets starting at R$22.50.
