Furusato Matsuri: A Celebration of Japanese Culture and Cuisine

Furusato Matsuri

Immerse Yourself in the Cultural Extravaganza of Furusato Matsuri, One of the Captivating Tokyo Events in January.

Traditional Festivals Showcased

Furusato Matsuri, an annual eight-day event that has become a Tokyo institution since its inception in 2009, is slated for a mid-January return to the Tokyo Dome in 2024. The festival will feature high-energy performances reminiscent of Japan’s hottest matsuri, including the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hirosaki Neputa Festival, Akita Kanto Festival, and Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri. The traditional dance forms like kagura, awa odori, Suzume Odori, sansa odori, yosakoi, and bon odori also take center stage at the festival.

Various regional cultures and customs are highlighted during this period, with visitors having the chance to experience vibrant dancing and heroic drumming at some of Japan’s most famous festivals. Undoubtedly one of the highlights has been the giant floats from Aomori Prefecture’s Nebuta Festival.

Culinary Delights from Across Japan

Beyond these spirited performances, Furusato Matsuri will host a comprehensive collection of food stalls representing regional cuisine from all corners of Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. About 300 companies participate with stalls offering delicious local foods and drinks.

In particular, donburi (rice bowl) dishes feature prominently with an annual All-Japan Donburi Competition organized during the festivities. Regional delights such as rosy seabass rice bowls from Shimane prefecture and Tokachi Gyutoro raw beef bowls from Hokkaido have been star performers in past editions.

Wide Variety of Beverages

Another major draw has been the selection of more than 100 varieties of sake and beer. Visitors can taste specialty sakes from around Japan along with local craft beers. However, Furusato Matsuri is not only about alcoholic beverages; non-alcoholic options are just as diverse, with offerings like a refreshing apple cider vinegar drink from Hokkaido and fresh smoothies made with Amao strawberries featured on previous occasions.

Bringing Region Specialities to Tokyo

Furusato Matsuri, aptly dubbed as ‘Hometown Festival,’ offers residents of Japan’s other prefectures the opportunity to highlight their unique cultures and food specialties before a large Tokyo audience. In past years close to half a million visitors flocked to revel in regional spectacles that ranged from delectable scallops to manju filled with fatty tuna slabs.

Convenience at its Best

In essence, the Furusato Matsuri makes it possible for those who do not have the time or means to travel across Japan to experience far-flung regional festivals right in Tokyo Dome City. It’s a complete package that combines unique entertainment options, the finest local delicacies, and exceptionally crafted beverages under one roof.

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