Japan Food Carnival Kicks Off: 4 Famous Restaurants You Might Not Get to Eat at in Japan

▲ Ginza Kyubey, known as one of Japan’s most expensive sushi restaurants, is also participating in the Japan Food Direct Delivery Carnival.

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

Taiwanese people love Japanese cuisine, and Japanese businesses are also actively promoting it. The upcoming Japan Food Direct Delivery Carnival, set to launch on February 25, is organized by Japanese TV channel WAKUWAKU JAPAN. It features three main zones: the Japan Famous Restaurants Area, the Japan Food Stall Area, and the Japan Tea House Area. Among them, the Japan Famous Restaurants Area invites super-popular eateries that you might not even get to try when visiting Japan, such as Ginza Kyubey, Tsuruya Yoshinobu, Hibiya Matsumotoro, and the French patisserie Été, which will take turns making appearances.

The Japan Food Direct Delivery Carnival venue is located on the first floor of the Taiwan Railway Building. Though the space isn’t large, the Japan Famous Restaurants Area is exquisitely decorated. The organizers have brought the actual sushi counter from a Japanese sushi restaurant right into the venue, creating the feel of a tiny sushi shop. Ginza Kyubey kicks things off first, exhibiting from February 25 to 26. The same space will then host, in succession, the seafood dish specialist Tsuruya Yoshinobu, the century-old high-end Hibiya Matsumotoro, and the handmade French patisserie Été. Reservations for the famous restaurants’ zones are only available on the day of the event at the venue’s information desk.


▲ Ginza Kyubey’s ¥4,000 sushi course.

Meanwhile, “yatai” is one of Japan’s iconic cultural elements—essentially street food stalls that appear only at night. This year’s Yatai Area mainly offers a variety of traditional Japanese snacks, featuring five types: Osaka takoyaki, Nakatsu fried chicken, Tokachi pork rice bowl, Tokyo oden, and Kyoto skewered meatballs.

Additionally, the WAKUWAKU JAPAN Japan Food Carnival will feature a Japanese tea ceremony master guiding participants in tasting Japanese sweets, experiencing the tea ceremony, and attending Japanese tea lectures—giving you a more authentic Japanese experience than the locals themselves.

Japan Famous Restaurants Area

Ginza Kyubey (Exhibition dates: February 25–26)
Sushi Course
6 pieces / set ¥1,400 (limited to 80 sets)
16 pieces / set ¥4,000 (limited to 20 sets)
※ Reservations only available on the day at the venue information desk

Tsuruya Yoshinobu (Exhibition date: February 27)
Sushi Pieces Set ¥300 (limited to 90 sets)
※ Reservations only available on the day at the venue information desk

Hibiya Matsumotoro (Exhibition date: February 28)
Japanese-style omelet with Western-style beef stew ¥300 (limited to 150 servings)
※ No reservations; first-come, first-served on-site

Été (Exhibition dates: March 1–2)
French semi-sweet chocolate cake ¥400 (limited to 100 servings)　
Fleurs d'Été floral dessert ¥3,400 (5 per day)
(Takeaway only; first-come, first-served on-site; no reservations)


▲ Osaka takoyaki.


▲ Kyoto skewered meatballs.


▲ Tokachi pork rice bowl.


▲ Nakatsu fried chicken.


▲ Tokyo oden.

Japan Street Food Area

● Osaka Takoyaki (150 JPY)
● Nakatsu Fried Chicken (150 JPY)
● Tokachi Pork Rice Bowl (250 JPY)
● Tokyo Oden (150 JPY)
● Kyoto Yakitori Skewers (50 JPY per skewer)　

Japanese Tea House Area (Maximum 12 guests per session, approximately 15 minutes)

Japanese Dessert Set: Sencha + Wagashi Set 100 JPY, Matcha + Wagashi Set 150 JPY
Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience: 200 JPY
Japanese Tea Lecture: Free