Head over to Ueno Park in January to warm up with a popular Japanese winter soul food. Held for four days from January 16 to January 19, this festival is serving up piping-hot bowls of oden and cups of sake from across the country.
Oden is a hot pot-style dish consisting of an assortment of fish cakes along with daikon radish, konnyaku and more, all cooked in a nourishing broth of dashi, soy sauce, sake and mirin.
Match this comforting winter warmer with a fragrant cup of sake (sold both hot and cold) to truly conquer the chill. 19 vendors from across the country will be pouring their best local sake, craft beer, homemade sangria and more. The festival will set the mood with a wide range of live entertainment, including invigorating yosakoi dances, shamisen performances and comedy sketches.
Check the event website for the full list of performing artists and sake vendors.