Kanazawa – – September 30, 2026 -- Roughly 40 vendors will gather at Shiinoki Ryokuchi park in Kanazawa, Japan, for the two-day KANAZAWA Oishii Festa 2026, running Saturday, October 17 through Sunday, October 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year's theme centers on fermented food, with 23 food vendors serving dishes made exclusively for the event under the banner "Local Ingredients and Fermentation." Dishes will feature Kaga vegetables, heirloom varieties grown in the region since before 1945, alongside local seafood, all flavored with Ōno soy sauce brewed in Kanazawa's Ōno district since the early 1600s and Kaga miso made with rice koji.

Visitors Can Sample Local Sake, Craft Beer and Original Cocktails

The drink lineup includes sake from Kanazawa, craft beer and original cocktails, giving attendees the option to eat their way through the festival or simply relax on the lawn.

Hands-On Workshops Teach Traditional Fermentation Techniques

Reservation-based workshops let visitors make jō-namagashi, delicate seasonal Japanese confections, pickle vegetables with koji, prepare mayonnaise and take part in a sake tasting limited to guests aged 20 and over. Workshop fees range from ¥500 to ¥1,000, roughly US$3.20 to $6.30, per group or person depending on the activity, with some sessions held at the nearby Shiinoki Cultural Complex.

Booths Will Support Noto's Recovery From the 2024 Earthquake

The festival will also feature food trucks and shops from the Noto region, raising support for recovery efforts following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and subsequent heavy rains. Other highlights include original dishes created by culinary and confectionery students working alongside professional chefs, a marketplace selling Japanese sweets, a free kids' area with activities like kendama and hula hoops, and a stage program running both days.

A Digital Transit Pass Goes on Sale October 7

Because parking at the venue is limited, organizers are directing visitors toward public transit. A digital one-day pass for the Kanazawa Shopping Bus, valid for either October 17 or 18, goes on sale October 7 through the Norimasshi Kanazawa digital transit service and can be used to reach the festival grounds. The event is organized by the Kanazawa Food Culture Month and Food Festival Executive Committee.