Ueno Park Fountain Square

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.

What better way to stay toasty in the cold weather than making a stop at Japan’s biggest hot cocktail festival? There’ll be plenty of classics, such as mulled wine, as well as spiked beverages like lemonade and hot chocolate. The venue will also offer an array of festival snacks and meals to accompany the drinks. Entertainment for the day will include a lineup of dance performances, DJs and live painting. You can now purchase starter set tickets in advance online at a reduced price.