The annual Furusato Matsuri (Hometown Festival) is a chance for the residents of Japan’s other prefectures to dazzle Tokyoites with their regions’ unique cultures – and, of course, their food. There’ll be stalls selling everything from sake to seafood, with special sections devoted to fancy desserts and donburi rice bowls. The latter is part of a competition, where regional donburi restaurants try to outdo each other – think rosy seabass rice bowls from Shimane prefecture or Tokachi Gyutoro raw beef bowls from Hokkaido.
Stay until the evening to sample different types of sake and beer from a selection of over 100 varieties. A vast selection of non-alcoholic beverages will be available too, including a refreshing apple cider vinegar drink from Hokkaido and fresh smoothies made with Amao strawberries
Need a break from all the eating and drinking? Sit back and watch a showcase of roughly 18 popular regional festivals such as Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri to Akita’s Kanto Matsuri, involving a series of traditional dance and taiko drumming performances.