2026 Japanese Food Expo in LA

About 2026 Japanese Food Expo in LA

Experience authentic Japanese food, drink, and culture included in your admission at the Japanese Food Expo on November 13-14, 2026.

2026 Japanese Food Expo in LA is back on November 13-14!
This year, we’re offering four time slots over two days—giving you more chances than ever to experience the best of Japanese food and culture! Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just curious about Japanese cuisine, this is the event you don’t want to miss. Thanks to your incredible support over the years, we've been able to create unforgettable experiences, and this year will be no exception!

Mark your calendars, and see you there!


Follow us on Instagram @japanesefoodexpo for more vendor reveals and updates!





Bring your friends, family, and anyone who loves great food to enjoy a day filled with mouthwatering Japanese dishes, refreshing drinks, and interactive workshops!

We’re excited to host selected representatives from Japan’s diverse prefectures, who will be showcasing gourmet dishes crafted with traditional techniques and artistry. Plus, all your favorite Japanese food brands will be back, serving up the flavors you love.

Get ready to immerse yourself in Japanese culture like never before—with delicious food, premium beer, sake, and hands-on activities. This is more than just an expo; it’s an experience!





- VENUE -
Ovation Hollywood (5th Floor)

6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028



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- DATE & TIME -
November 13–14, 2026 (Friday - Saturday)

This year’s Japanese Food Expo 2026 offers four time slots across two days. Each time slot will feature the same food, drinks, and cultural experiences, so you can choose the one that best fits your schedule!

Please note: There is a 2-hour break between the first and second time slots on Saturday to allow our vendors time to rest and prepare for the next group of guests. (1 ticket = 1 time slot entry)

Friday, November 13, 2026

• TIME SLOT #1: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Saturday, November 14, 2025

• TIME SLOT #2: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• TIME SLOT #3: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
• TIME SLOT #4: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

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- TICKET PRICING & INFO -
General Admission Adults (Age: 21+): $50
General Admission (Age 11-20): $35
General Admission (Age 6-10): $25
General Admission (Age 5 & below): FREE


*Must be 21 to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.*

*An alcohol add-on is required for guests who wish to consume alcoholic beverages.*

*Children will need a legal guardian to enter this event*

*Double-check your time slot before you make your purchase through Eventbrite. *

*ADMISSION COVERS FOOD, NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND SELECT WORKSHOPS.*
*Alcoholic beverage tastings and some workshops require an add-on ticket. Please check the available add-ons when purchasing your ticket.*

- TRANSPORTATION & PARKING -
Ovation Hollywood is easily accessible by both public transportation and car.

For information on public transportation, directions, parking rates, validation, and other transportation details, please visit the Ovation Hollywood website.



- OFFICIAL WEBSITE -
Explore this year's vendor lineup

2026 Japanese Food Expo Official Website



Food and sake tasting, shopping from Japanese merchants, taiko performances, a live tuna cutting show, and exciting workshops — we’ve got something for everyone!


JAPANESE FOOD/INGREDIENTS SAMPLING

Taste your way through Japan — one bite at a time. Enjoy more than 100 varieties of Japanese food and beverages available for sampling, including rare and hard-to-find products you won’t want to miss! You can also shop what you taste — so bring a bag and take your favorites home. Many of these products are flying in from Japan exclusively for this event!





JAPANESE SAKE & BEER TASTING
Add-on Ticket Required

Immerse yourself in an exclusive Japanese sake and beer tasting experience like no other! Sip and savor the finest Japanese beer brands, known for their exceptional quality and flavor, alongside unique sake varieties that you can only taste at this event. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this tasting promises to thrill your senses and elevate your appreciation of Japanese craftsmanship. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to indulge in extraordinary flavors that will leave you craving more!


Each tasting ticket includes 5 tastings. Multiple tickets may be purchased.
*Please enjoy responsibly. 21+*




In addition to food and drinks, a variety of stage programs and performances will take place throughout the Expo.
All stage programs are included with General Admission, so be sure to check them out!

Live Bluefin Tuna Cutting
TIME SLOT #1 Only

Watch a whole bluefin tuna expertly broken down right before your eyes. Freshly cut tuna will be served to guests after the demonstration.

Live Japanese Calligraphy
TIME SLOT #2 Only

Experience the art of Japanese calligraphy through a captivating live performance. Watch traditional brushwork come to life before your eyes.

Traditional Daruma Eye-Painting
TIME SLOTS #3 & #4 Only

Experience the traditional Japanese custom of painting an eye on a Daruma doll, a symbol of perseverance and good fortune.




SPECIAL WORKSHOPS & EXPERIENCES

Separate Ticket Required
*Tickets will be available soon!

Take your Japanese Food Expo experience even further with our special workshops and experiences!

The following activities require a separate ticket. General Admission is not required to participate in these activities. However, a General Admission ticket is required to enter the main Expo area.

Space may be limited, so we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.

Tickets for each workshop and experience must be purchased separately. Please see the event details below for ticket purchase information.



KATSURA SUNSHINE RAKUGO DINNER SHOW
Experience a special dinner show featuring Katsura Sunshine, an internationally acclaimed Rakugo storyteller!

Learn more about the Katsura Sunshine Rakugo Dinner Show on our website.



FOOD SAMPLE ONIGIRI WORKSHOP (Saturday Only)
Get creative and make your own realistic onigiri food replica keychain in this fun, hands-on workshop presented by Faux Sweets!

Design and decorate your own unique onigiri, then turn it into a keychain to take home. No experience is necessary, and all materials are included.



KYARABEN: JAPANESE CHARACTER BENTO WORKSHOP (Saturday Only)
Discover the fun and creativity of Japanese character bento (kyaraben) in this hands-on workshop!

Learn about the Japanese art of turning an everyday bento into a colorful and playful creation using food to make cute characters and designs. With step-by-step guidance from an instructor, you’ll create your own character bento and experience this unique part of Japanese food culture for yourself.

KIMONO FABRIC DANGO CRAFT WORKSHOP (Saturday Only)
Discover a creative new way to experience Japanese culture in this hands-on craft workshop!

Using traditional kimono fabric, you’ll create colorful decorative pieces inspired by dango and traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi). Learn how beautiful kimono materials can be transformed into charming works of art while enjoying a fun and unique Japanese craft experience.







- NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY -

When you enter a Japanese Food Expo (“JFE”) event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by JFE and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar JFE events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of JFE. You release JFE, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by JFE or the person or entity designated to do so by JFE. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.