EVENTS
SPRING into ACTION
The very best food, culture and other lifestyle events in Singapore and Japan. Takayama Festival 14 and 15 April The historic mountain town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture is the setting for this biannual festival, held during spring and autumn. The spring event known as Sanno Matsuri is flashier, as huge floats decorated with dolls and lanterns are pulled through the streets of the old town. It is one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals, along with Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Yomatsuri. www.hida.jp/english/ festivalsandevents/4000105.html TOKYO
FABEX 2020 Tokyo Big Sight, 15 and 16 April (10am to 5pm), 17 April (10am to 4pm) One of the food industry’s largest trade shows, FABEX is expected to draw 78,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors this year. The event is a one-stop solution for food businesses, showcasing commercial foods and products, equipment and materials, and containers and packaging. It includes the Dessert Sweets & Bakery Festival. This year’s theme is sustainable and globalised food. 5,000 yen admission fee but free admission for those who pre-register. en.fabex.jp/ TOME
Tohoku Food Marathon & Festival Naganuma Futopia Park, 25 and 26 April Eat, drink and run! That’s the promise of this food and fitness event in Tome city in Miyagi. Said to be the prefecture’s largest fun run and only full marathon, the event also includes a food and sake festival featuring regional food and sake. You’ll even find snacks and drinks at the marathon’s aid stations! Register at tohokumarathon.com/en/
OSAKA
Food Sonic 2020 Various locations, 1 to 6 May Started in 2015, this event has become Kansai’s largest food festival. This year’s theme is Food Wonderland, with more than 70 stalls and about 120,000 visitors expected across three venues. There will also be live stage performances, art installations and more. 600 yen. www.foodsonic.jp/ TOKYO
Roppongi Art Night Various locations, 30 and 31 May A popular multi-disciplinary art event since 2009, this annual weekend-long extravaganza wants to take art to the streets of the famous Tokyo district. Large-scale art, design, photography, music and video installations and performances by international and Japanese artists will take over Roppongi’s museums, galleries and streets. www.roppongiartnight.com/2020/ SINGAPORE
Future Food Asia 2020 National Library, 2 and 3 June Now in its fourth edition, this two-day conference aims to separate fads from future trends and offer Asian perspectives on potential solutions for global issues. Expect to learn more about how food businesses should advance the AgriFoodTech sector in the Asia Pacific. From $590. futurefoodasia.com/ffa2020/ SINGAPORE
Singapore Cocktail Festival City Takeover Various locations, 15 to 22 May A must for cocktail fans, the popular event features two parts this year: a week-long “city takeover” at 45 participating bars across Singapore in May and a festival village at Bayfront Event Space in October. The May event promises lots of mixology action with thematic bar tours, cocktail-making workshops, guest bartenders, cocktail experiences and drink promotions. www.singaporecocktailfestival.com YOKOHAMA
CafeRes Japan Pacifico Yokohama, 1 and 2 July (10am to 6pm), 3 July (10am to 5pm) Japan’s largest exhibition for the cafe and tea industry, CafeRes Japan is really several events under one umbrella — a must-visit for F&B owners. It includes the Tokyo Cafe Show, International Tea Show, Pizza & Pasta Show and Cafe Design & Display Show, and is also co-located with the Wellness Life Japan and Rice Expo. 5,000 yen. cafeshow.jp/en Information is correct at the time of publication and subject to change. Please check the event organisers’ websites for up-to-date information.
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COMPILED BY DENYSE YEO PHOTOS JNTO, KANAZAWA CITY TOURISM ASSOCIATION, FABEX, TOHOKU FOOD MARATHON & FESTIVAL, ROPPONGI ART NIGHT
TAKAYAMA
