The All Japan Gyoza Festival is an event that celebrates this national foodie favorite by bringing together the best gyoza from around the country. The festival will be held in Niigata City for the first time, offering locals and travelers to the prefecture a chance to taste unique variations made with regional ingredients.
The festival will feature gyoza from well-known areas like Utsunomiya and Hamamatsu, along with original gyoza creations from various parts of Japan that highlight local food cultures. In addition to gyoza, there will be food and sweets booths offering specialties like chicken wings and taiyaki, among other eats. Whether you're a long-time gyoza fan or a newcomer, this is a perfect opportunity to sample an array of flavors from across the country.
Admission information
This is a ticketed event, with general adult admission priced at 500 JPY. Elementary-aged students and younger receive free admission.
Getting there
The event takes place at the Bandaijima Multipurpose Square, which can be accessed via bus from Niigata Station—take the Toki Messe-Sado Kisen Line bus from platform 17 and get off at the Toki Messe bus stop.
For those who opt to drive, the venue is around 25 minutes from the Niigata Chuo Interchange on the Ban'etsu Expressway. Parking is available at the nearby Bandaijima parking lot—it is free for the first 60 minutes after entry, and 100 JPY for every 30 minutes thereafter.
Kim Bergström @kim.b
Almost 12 years living in Asia. Passionate about Japan's off-the-beaten-path spots, family-friendly travel, flower events (all of them!) and the amazing tea culture here. 🍵🌼🌸
