Since ancient times, the Japanese have believed that everything in the universe has an associated deity, earning them the name "the people of eight million gods." Festivals across the country celebrate this belief, expressing gratitude to nature and the gods—a tradition that continues today.

Japanese food stalls, or yatai, first appeared in 1715 as small vending stands on roads and in public spaces to feed carpenters and other craftsmen. Modern yatai trace their origins to post-World War II black markets in urban centers, where daily necessities and groceries were sold illegally at high prices.

Today, yatai operate under strict standards, with temporary permits issued for traditional festivals and regional events. It's said that the gods love lively places, so the more food stalls and attractions at a festival, the more people will attend.

These stalls have also become popular with non-Japanese residents and tourists, offering a unique taste of Japanese culture and cuisine.

The sheer number and variety of festival stalls can be surprising, with many events offering unique foods that enhance the festive atmosphere. Let's dive into some delicious must-try standards that will surely delight your taste buds.

Takoyaki is a delightful treat made by mixing spices, green onions, and diced octopus into a flour dough, then grilling it into bite-sized balls, typically 3 to 5 cm in diameter. These savory balls are packed in plastic folding lid trays and served with a toothpick.

Originating in Osaka, takoyaki is a festival favorite due to its easy-to-eat and shareable nature. In recent years, it has also become a hit among non-Japanese festival-goers. However, be cautious when eating fresh takoyaki, as it can be very hot and might burn your tongue.

Yakisoba is a delicious dish made of stir-fried noodles, meat (usually pork), and vegetables, all seasoned with a Worcestershire-based yakisoba sauce. Food stall chefs skillfully prepare yakisoba on huge iron grills, drawing in crowds with the irresistible aroma of the sauce.

Yakisoba is always served in generous portions, and the ingredients can vary by stall. Some noodles are seasoned with salt instead of sauce, allowing you to choose the flavor that suits your taste.

Of course, Japanese street food offers a wide variety of sweets, but one staple is the chocolate banana. This delightful dessert features a banana generously coated in chocolate and decorated with colorful sprinkles.

Not only is it delicious, but it's also an easy treat to enjoy while strolling around the festival, adding to its widespread appeal.

Kakigori, an iconic Japanese cold sweet, is so popular that it even has specialty shops dedicated to it. The kakigori served at festival stalls uses naturally produced ice and continually evolves with new syrup flavors devised by vendors. In addition to classic fruit flavors like strawberry and melon, there are uniquely Japanese flavors like matcha green tea. Kakigori is another perfect treat to enjoy while you walk around the festival.

Chicken Karaage is a festival favorite. While it's often enjoyed at home, food stall karaage is topped with bold seasonings, salty sauce, or pepper for an extra kick.

Festivals often include a ceremony to offer sake to the gods, and since many people enjoy sake, the seasonings are designed to pair well with it. Skewered fried chicken is typically served in paper cups for easy eating while walking, with the taste and style of karaage varying by region and stall.

Candy apples are a traditional festival treat made by coating apples in syrup or candy glaze and putting them on sticks for easy holding. This confection perfectly balances the sweetness of the candy or syrup with the refreshing flavor and texture of the apples.

Their vibrant look and color make them especially popular with children. Besides apples, you'll find variations made with strawberries, apricots, and grapes, offering a delightful twist on this classic treat.

Cloud-like, melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy is another typical festival food and, in Japan, is usually white or light pink. It’s made by melting sugar into thin threads which are swirled into a sweet, cottony mass.

Recently, cotton candy has evolved in taste and appearance, with rainbow-colored and artificially shiny varieties appearing at festivals.

Baby castella, resembling mini pancakes in flavor, is a beloved snack at festivals and tourist destinations like Tokyo and Asakusa. These fluffy, bite-sized cakes are made from a batter of honey, sugar, and flour, giving them a delightful sweetness. Their convenient size makes them an easy and shareable treat while strolling through bustling streets or enjoying a festival.

What sets baby castella apart is its playful presentation. Using special molds, vendors often shape them into popular anime characters, adding a whimsical touch that delights both children and adults. This fun and tasty snack not only satisfies sweet cravings but also brings a bit of Japanese pop culture to your festival experience.

Because corn is in season, grilled corn stalls are frequently found at summer festivals. Juicy corn is salted and seasoned with soy sauce, giving it a pleasing aroma and a sweet, salty flavor. Festival-goers walking and eating hot ears of corn is a common sight.

Thus far, we’ve presented standard festival foods. But other unique and trendy foods embody the ever-evolving food stall culture. Many items have a particular appearance, from “Italian Spa-Bo” to glowing drinks you’d expect to see in a moderately fashionable bar.

“Italian Spa-Bo” (fried pasta) consists of long, crunchy spaghetti noodles that have been fried and seasoned. Seen at festival stalls around the country, they’re easy to eat while walking and their salty taste goes perfectly with alcohol.

“Light Bulb Soda” refers to colorful drinks served in light bulb-shaped containers. Originating in South Korea and now sold at yatai food stalls, their eye-catching appearance has made them very popular with young Japanese people. Even after finishing the drink, the container is fun to decorate and use for holding other things, which is a great way to avoid needless waste.

There are countless festivals all over Japan, so, naturally, there are regional differences in street food. Here are some foods that, by region, are the same food with a different name, or, conversely, the same name for different foods.

Ikayaki is a beloved street food across Japan. In the Kanto region, it’s a piece of grilled squid with a savory soy sauce aroma. The Kansai version still has squid in it, but is similar to okonomiyaki.

“American dogs,” which are sausages that are skewered, battered, and fried in oil (i.e., corn dogs), are sprinkled with sugar and called “French dogs” in eastern Hokkaido. In western Kansai, “hashimaki” is often served up at food stalls. This thin okonomiyaki is wrapped around chopsticks to make it easier to eat.

One of the best parts of a festival is enjoying various street foods that are typical of Japan. The standard dishes are well-prepared and new ones are added every year. The next time you’re at a Japanese festival, take your time walking around the venue and find your new favorite festival food!

Interview/supervision:
Kansai Catering Association

Text by: Efeel Co., Ltd.
*This article was originally published in August 2021. Please check official websites for the latest information.

English translation by Gabriel Wilkinson