#Japan #Tokyo #Local Delicacies #Traditional Arts #Beautiful Villages

Japan's Most Beautiful Villages Festival

The 4th Annual Festival of Japan's Most Beautiful Villages is set to take place on October 25, 2025, at Tokyo Port City Takeshiba from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Organized by the NPO Japan's Most Beautiful Villages Association, led by President Hideki Yoshimoto, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the association. The festival will showcase traditional arts, local specialties, and cultural experiences from member municipalities across Japan, bringing a slice of rural life to urban Tokyo.

Festival Details

• - Date: October 25, 2025 (Saturday)
• - Venue: Tokyo Port City Takeshiba, Minato Ward, Tokyo
• - Admission: Free
• - Organizer: NPO Japan's Most Beautiful Villages Association
• - Supporters: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan Tourism Agency, National Association of Towns and Villages, Minato Ward, Minato Ward Tourism Association
• - Sponsor: Regional Science Institute Inc.
• - Special Site: Festival Site

Highlights of the Event

1. Traditional Arts Showcase
Experience an array of traditional performances from across Japan, including:
- Fukuga Kagura from Abu Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Esashi Oiwake from Esashi Town, Hokkaido
- Amami Shimauta from Kikaijima Town, Kagoshima Prefecture
This is a rare opportunity to witness these cultural treasures all in one place.

2. Local Market with 19 Towns and Villages
Discover unique local products from different regions, including potatoes from Biei Town, Hokkaido, cheese from Tsurui Village, Hokkaido, and brown sugar from Kikaijima Town, Kagoshima. Shop for exclusive items that offer a taste of village life.

3. Local Gourmet and Collaboration Dishes
Indulge in specialties like extreme curry bread from Hayakawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, and savory grilled franks. Experience exclusive dishes developed in collaboration with young chefs from the member municipalities and chefs from Tokyo, such as roasted venison rice bowls and pork miso soup.

4. Participatory Experience Programs
Get involved with hands-on activities like making accessories from Amehata stones, calligraphy experiences, and agricultural lifestyle programs suitable for families. Enjoy opportunities like:
- Fukuga Kagura Experience (taiko drum sessions and costume photo ops)
- Esashi Oiwake singing lessons
- Amehata Stone Keychain creations
- Calligraphy sessions with Amehata stones
- ABU Normal Living Program
...and many more engaging experiences.

5. Special 20th Anniversary Commemoration
As part of the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Japan's Most Beautiful Villages Association, we'll unveil and sell a beautiful village karuta game, designed using 917 poems contributed by local residents. Additionally, a limited edition set of six kinds of rice porridge from member municipalities will be available.
Since its establishment in 2005, the association has grown into a nationwide network of rural areas with populations under 10,000, dedicated to preserving and promoting the local scenery, culture, food, and lifestyle into the future. Today, it comprises 57 municipalities from Hokkaido to Okinawa and engages in various initiatives like exchange events, promotional activities, and youth development programs.
As 2025 approaches, the association looks forward to embarking on a new stage with its members nationwide.

For more insights into previous festivals, check out the recaps from the 3rd Festival of Japan's Most Beautiful Villages here.

Contact Information

For inquiries, including interview requests:
NPO Japan's Most Beautiful Villages Association
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03-5577-5943
Official Website: NPO Japan's Most Beautiful Villages
(Please note that the office may be unattended, so contacting via email is appreciated.)