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For what seems like a cooler summer, Tokyo can still get pretty hot at times. And in sweltering September, nothing whets the appetite quite like piping-hot Taiwanese street food. Taking place for the first time from September 3 to September 6 at Hibiya Park’s Nirenoki Plaza, Ya-Taiwan Festival 2026 is expected to bring the iconic Taiwanese night market experience to Tokyo.
The venue will be lined with food stalls serving Taiwanese favourites, from beef noodle soup, pan-fried dumplings, braised pork rice and crispy jipai fried chicken to more decadent dishes like roast duck, oyster omelettes, danzai noodles, pepper buns and much more. You’ll also find refreshments such as Taiwanese beer and bubble tea.
Every day, the festival will host a Sky Lantern Experience, recreating the iconic lantern release attraction above the train tracks in Shifen. Participants can release lanterns bearing their wishes into the night sky from 8pm, with on-site registrations happening on a first-come, first-served basis from 6pm. The price is ¥4,000 per lantern.
There will also be plenty of refreshing Taiwanese sweets to help beat the lingering summer fatigue, including iced douhua soybean pudding and Taiwanese shaved ice.
Along with authentic Taiwanese festival grub and sweets, expect to enjoy classic night market games such as ring toss and mask making. Taiwanese sundry stores will be setting up shop too, with rarities imported directly from Taiwan. While the performance schedule is yet to be fully announced, expect to see artists such as Taiwanese J-pop singer-songwriter Hiromi on stage.
The festival runs for four consecutive days from September 3 to September 6 until 10pm (8pm on September 6). Admission is ¥500 for junior high school students and older, while primary school students and younger can enter for free. Each ticket comes with a colourful hand lantern to take home as a souvenir.
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