13 Tokyo Dessert Festivals 2026: A Guide to Sweets Celebrations & Food Exhibition in Department Stores
Since moving to a neighborhood adjacent to Shinjuku in 2024, I've been visiting cities in Tokyo almost daily to explore its appeal and discover spots I can recommend to tourists. I updated this article in 2026 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2026.
Another reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to safely and deeply experience Tokyo. Because Tokyo is a city that continues to develop at a dizzying pace and in complex ways, tourists visiting for the first time find it extremely difficult to discover the truly excellent spots beloved by locals.
This is why food tours led by knowledgeable local guides who know Tokyo inside and out have been gaining popularity, as they take visitors through Tokyo's maze of establishments.
In fact, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.
Join a Magical Trip local tour to be guided by Tokyo experts to beloved restaurants serving exceptional food. They'll take you to hidden gems that are difficult for first-time visitors to Japan to discover, ensuring your trip becomes an unforgettable memory.
Dessert and sweets lovers should join the Harajuku Kawaii Fashion & Pop-culture Tour in Harajuku, the center of Kawaii culture. You'll be able to enjoy cutting-edge Japanese sweets and Instagram-worthy desserts that showcase the latest trends.
My recommended tour is the Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku, which was ranked #1 on Tripadvisor among all tours in 2024.
We hope you'll have a wonderful time experiencing everything Tokyo has to offer by joining a Magical Trip tour!
Introduction
Tokyo is the capital city of Japan, a fascinating metropolis where modern elements like skyscrapers intermingle with historical features such as shrines and temples. While Tokyo is filled with numerous attractions scattered throughout the city, its well-developed transportation network makes it easy for individual tourists to navigate.
Tokyo's climate varies distinctly with the four seasons - spring and autumn are comfortable, while summer can be intensely hot and winter quite cold.
As Japan's central hub, Tokyo hosts must-see food events every month that gather famous culinary delights from across the nation. By participating in these events, you can feel like you're traveling throughout Japan while staying in Tokyo.
This article introduces events centered around desserts, sweets, and traditional Japanese confections in Tokyo, including highlights, basic information, schedules, and access to venues.
13 Must-Visit Events for Sweet Lovers to Enjoy Exquisite Japanese Confections and Sweets in Tokyo
As one of the world's premier entertainment districts attracting large crowds, Tokyo is home to numerous restaurants. The sweet offerings are particularly diverse, ranging from long-established traditional Japanese confectionery shops to sweets utilizing the latest culinary technologies, making it easy to choose according to your mood or purpose.
Here are 10 notable events where sweet lovers can enjoy exquisite Japanese confections and sweets in Tokyo, including the highly anticipated Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026.
Salon du Chocolat 2026 - The Chocolate Festival from Paris (January)
Source:Official website
"Salon du Chocolat" is the world's largest chocolate festival, born from the desire to "honor the reputation of chocolatiers and cacao producers." Starting in Paris, France in 1995, it has developed into a major chocolate festival that now spans over 30 cities worldwide.
It arrived in Japan in 2003. Top chocolatiers and famous brands gather here, selling limited-edition chocolates available nowhere else, captivating many chocolate fans every year.
The greatest attraction of Salon du Chocolat is encountering the latest trends in cacao, chocolate, and pastries. In 2025, renowned chocolatiers from France such as Pleincoeur and Alban Guilmat participated, creating an experience for chocolate fans that felt like traveling the world.
This event is part of the vibrant Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026 scene, showcasing international confectionery excellence.
In 2026, numerous chocolatiers and chefs are scheduled to participate, including:
- Philippe Bernachon
- Paul Occhipinti
- Lilian Bonnefoi
The event period is divided into PART 1 through 3, each with different content, so you can enjoy it multiple times.
The "Selection Box," which allows you to taste famous chocolate brands from around the world all at once, is also popular.
You can also taste freshly made sweets on the spot, such as gateau chocolat, madeleines, flan, and scones. The venue is filled with the aroma of butter and chocolate, allowing you to fully enjoy chocolate with all five senses.
"Salon du Chocolat" is a special festival where you can experience the art and culture of chocolate. Savor, admire, and smell - fully enjoy the depth of chocolate. Please experience the heart-fluttering world of chocolate as if traveling through it.
- Schedule: PART 1: January 15 (Thu) - January 20 (Tue), 2026 *Closes at 6:00 PM on January 20 (Tue)
- PART 2: January 24 (Sat) - January 29 (Thu), 2026 *Closes at 6:00 PM on January 29 (Thu)
- PART 3: January 31 (Sat) - February 4 (Wed), February 7 (Sat) - February 15 (Sun), 2026 *Closes at 6:00 PM on February 4 (Wed) and February 15 (Sun)
- Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 6F Event Hall
- Access: Immediately from Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line "Shinjuku-sanchome Station" Isetan exit
- From Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line "Shinjuku-sanchome Station" approximately 2 minutes walk from Shinjuku-sanchome intersection exit, approximately 30 seconds walk from Isetan front exit (after 15:00, entrance to station only)
- Admission: Free
- Official Website: https://www.mistore.jp/shopping/feature/foods_f3/salon_du_chocolat_f
Shimokitazawa Spice & Sweets Casual Bar Hopping (May)
Source:PR TIMES
Shimokitazawa Spice & Sweets Casual Bar Hopping (May) is a food event in Shimokitazawa themed around spices. Beyond food booths, there are stamp rallies offering prizes and drinking companion stamp rallies that help foster connections between shops and people.
A highlight of this event is the wonderful compatibility between spicy dishes and desserts. With foods perfectly paired with sweets, you can experience something special that can't be enjoyed with just dishes or just sweets alone.
Don't miss the attractive menu items such as stewed dishes featuring spice flavors and palate-cleansing sweets. Limited-time menu items that are only available during the event period also appear, making this an irresistible event for spice and sweets enthusiasts!
<Information>
- Access: 2-31 Kitazawa Setagaya-ku
- Admission: 500 yen
- Website: https://barbar.love-shimokitazawa.jp/ (February 2025 site)
Ice Cream Expo (April )
Source:PR TIMES
The Ice Cream Expo (July) is Japan's largest ice cream event supervised by the Japan Ice Cream Mania Association. With the concept of "Paradise for Ice Cream Lovers," it features "ultimate ice creams that match the latest trends" carefully selected by the Japan Ice Cream Association, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the charms of ice cream.
As an ice cream lover myself, I've participated in this event before. Innovative ice creams from all over Japan are gathered, and all were so appealing that it took time to make choices. I shared about four varieties with friends, and my favorite was the peach gelato. It was full of fruity peach flavor, creamy yet refreshing in the aftertaste, making it easy to eat!
At the event, you can enjoy demonstration sales of soft serve ice cream, shaved ice, and gelato to eat on the spot, as well as cup ice cream that's easy to take away. Come with an empty stomach and indulge in various types of ice cream.
<Information>
- Date: April 25 – May 6 , 2026
-Venue: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building, Sankaku Hiroba (2-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku)
-Access:Directly connected to Toei Ōedo Line “Tochōmae Station”/8 minutes on foot from JR / Odakyu / Keio Line “Shinjuku Station”
- Admission: 500 yen for adults, free for elementary school children and younger
- Website: https://www.i-89.jp/
Nihonbashi Shaved Ice Festival (July)
Source:Mitsui Fudosan
The Nihonbashi Shaved Ice Festival is a popular summer event held for three days only. Long-established stores from Nihonbashi and famous shops from across the country gather together, where you can taste unique and distinctive "kakigori" (shaved ice).
Kakigori is a cold dessert made by finely shaving ice and topping it with syrup, fruit, condensed milk, and other ingredients, and is one of Japan's summer traditions. It is beloved in various places, from festival stalls to specialty shops.
At the venue, carefully crafted shaved ice from all over Japan appears. The "Mie Terrace Citrus Ice" features a special syrup made with amanatsu (sweet summer oranges) from Mie Prefecture. The balance of sweetness and acidity is exquisite, offering a refreshing taste.
"Okayama White Peach Milk Shaved Ice" uses plenty of peaches from top-class farms in Okayama Prefecture. The elegant sweetness of the fruit itself spreads throughout your mouth.
"Homemade Burnt Caramel" is a dish by a shaved ice specialty shop that values the flavor of ingredients. The carefully made homemade caramel is fragrant, with a deep richness.
Pay attention to the ice itself as well. Each shop has its own characteristics, such as shaved ice that contains air, or shaved ice that retains just the right texture. It's cool and refreshing when you start eating, but by the time you finish, your body may cool down a bit and you might crave something warm.
Also, shaved ice is attractive not only for its taste but also for its visual beauty. The colors of the syrup and fruit decorations are vivid, giving a sense of coolness to the eyes as well. Please try taking photos as travel memories. However, be careful - if you get too absorbed in photography, it will melt!
At the venue, you can also enjoy scenes that symbolize Japanese summer, such as ice-shaving machines and flags with the red character for "ice" written on them.
Shaved ice is cool to look at, cute to photograph, and refreshing to eat. The Nihonbashi Shaved Ice Festival is a moment that makes you forget the summer heat.
As part of the Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026 summer celebrations, please enjoy the taste of Japanese summer and create cool memories.
- Schedule: July 11-13, 2026
- Hours: 12:00-18:00
- Venue: COREDO Muromachi Terrace Large Roof Plaza (Chuo-ku Nihonbashi Muromachi 3-2-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi Mitsui Tower COREDO Muromachi Terrace 1F)
- Access: Directly connected to Tokyo Metro "Mitsukoshimae" Station and JR "Shin-Nihonbashi" Station (Basement 1F)
- Official Website: https://www.nihonbashi-tokyo.jp/ecoedo/shaved_ice
Spicy Food & Shaved Ice Festival (July)
Source:YOKOHAMA
The Spicy Food & Shaved Ice Festival (August) is an event where you can enjoy comparing and tasting various foods and drinks all at once, with specialty shops selling spicy foods, shaved ice specialists, and craft brewery booths that pair perfectly with spicy foods.
When I attended, there was a tasting competition to decide the No.1 among participating stores, and music performances on a special stage, making it exciting not just for the food but for the entertainment too! Before leaving, I picked up spicy seasonings and ultra-spicy retort curry packets from the merchandise booths, thoroughly enjoying the event for the entire day.
After working up a sweat with spicy food, you can cool down with chilled desserts like shaved ice, so you can keep eating as much as you want! They also sell non-spicy food and drinks for children, making it enjoyable for family outings as well.
*For visitors interested in Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026, this event offers an excellent opportunity to experience traditional Japanese summer treats like shaved ice alongside spicy cuisine.*
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- Dates: July 11 - 13 , 2026
-Venue:Kawasaki Station,Kawasaki Fes Hiroba
- Access: Right next to JR Kawasaki Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://newscast.jp/smart/news/0555793
Roasted Sweet Potato Festival TOKYO (November)
Source:Official website
At the Roasted Sweet Potato Festival TOKYO (November), you can enjoy specialty "yakiimo" (roasted sweet potato) dishes made with sweet potatoes harvested from various regions. The event brings together shops that want to spread "yakiimo" culture by reimagining Japan's proud "yakiimo" with new approaches.
Notable highlights include innovative offerings like Matured honey roasted sweet potato smoothie, whole roasted sweet potato crackers, and salt-butter brûlée roasted sweet potato, as well as yakiimo tasting sets that let you experience the essence of roasted sweet potatoes. I particularly enjoyed the classic "yakiimo" tasting comparison.
By comparing three types of sweet potatoes, I could experience how each differs in texture, sweetness, and flavor, which became an opportunity to discover the depth of sweet potatoes.
Why not discover new charms of roasted sweet potatoes by comparing them with various seasonings?
*While attending the Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026, don't miss this authentic Japanese sweet treat that showcases roasted sweet potatoes in both traditional and innovative preparations.*
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Dates: October 31 - November 9 , 2026
Venue: Nakano Shikinomori Park, Event Area (4-12 Nakano, Nakano-ku)
Access:8 minutes on foot from JR Nakano Station/8 minutes on foot from Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Nakano Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://yakiimofes.jp/tokyo2025/
Japanese Sweets Fair (Wagashi Ennichi/ October)
Source:Yahoo! News
Wagashi Ennichi is an event wrapped in sweet aromas where Japanese confectionery shops from all over the country gather. You can taste, see, and learn about "wagashi," traditional Japanese sweets.
At the venue, approximately 50 types of sweets are displayed. In keeping with the autumn season, there are many using chestnuts and sweet potatoes. The wide lineup is attractive, ranging from delicate and beautiful wagashi served at tea ceremonies to sweets with simple flavors beloved in Japanese households.
For example, "Beni Fukaki Nami" from Gokatteyahonpo in Hokkaido is a type of wagashi called "kingyoku" made by boiling agar and sugar together. It expresses autumn leaves drifting on the water surface, and you can enjoy its beauty like a small work of art.
"Kuri Kanoko" from Obusedo in Nagano Prefecture, which uses chestnuts, is a masterpiece that luxuriously adds large chestnut pieces to chestnut bean paste. The rich and elegant sweetness allows you to fully experience the taste of chestnuts, one of autumn's representative fruits.
Furthermore, "Suhama" from Suhamaya in Kyoto Prefecture is a historic sweet that was considered one of the "Four Great Japanese Sweets" about 300 years ago. It is made by kneading roasted soybean flour with sugar and syrup made from malt, offering gentle sweetness and fragrant aroma.
In addition to these, there are unique flavors including baked sweets from Minato Ward Health and Welfare Center for the Disabled "Minato Work Acty."
When traveling in Japan, the regions you can visit may be limited. At this event, which represents the spirit of Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026, you can taste Japanese sweets from all over Japan at once and feel the richness of Japanese culture. Please enjoy Japanese confections through their taste, aroma, shape, and color.
- Schedule: October 16, 2026
- Venue: DM Mitsui Sugar Head Office Building Front Garden (Minato-ku Shiba 5-26-16)
- Access: 3 minutes walk from JR "Tamachi Station" West Exit
3 minutes walk from Toei Asakusa Line/Toei Mita Line "Mita Station"
- Official Website: https://x.com/mitsui_dm_sugar/status/1976124427969626489
Cheese Festa (November)
Source:Official website
The Cheese Festa (November) is held on November 11th, Cheese Day, with the theme "Come! See! Eat! Festival of Delicious Cheeses from Around the World" to promote cheese and expand its consumption.
Hearing that a variety of distinctive cheeses from around the world would be gathered, I decided to participate. The event featured cheese introductions by cheese makers, cheese tastings and sales, award ceremonies for cooking contests using cheese, and many other activities that kept visitors entertained.
I particularly liked the merchandise corner where staff listened to my preferences and helped me find the perfect cheese through tastings. There were many unusual varieties that aren't normally available, and I enjoyed shopping while listening to cheese trivia, making for a fun time.
If you participate in the Cheese Festa, which is full of cheese attractions, you'll surely become captivated by cheese!
The Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026 offers a similar experience for dessert lovers, but cheese enthusiasts will particularly appreciate this specialized event featuring international varieties.
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- Date: November 11 - 12 , 2026
-Venue:EBiS 303 (1-20-8 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku)
- Access: 3 minutes on foot from JR Ebisu Station/4 minutes on foot from Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Ebisu Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://cheesefesta.com/
Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien (December)
Source:Official website
The Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien (December) is Japan's largest Christmas market, with the venue changing from Hibiya Park to Jingu Gaien in 2024.
The most noteworthy attraction at the event is the symbolic Christmas pyramid. This Christmas pyramid stands 14m tall, making it one of the world's largest, comparable to those in Dresden, Germany. It's eye-catching from a distance, and up close, its size is truly overwhelming.
The main market area features Christmas-related goods shops, food stalls, and workshops. Once you step into the venue, your spirits will undoubtedly rise. With stollen or hot wine in hand as you stroll around, you'll fully enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
Every year I make sure to visit the Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026 around this time as it perfectly complements the Christmas market experience.
Although November brings colder weather, the heart-warming atmosphere is what makes it so appealing, and I never miss visiting each year.
<Information>
- Dates: November 21-December 25, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station (Chuo-Sobu Line) or Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station (Oedo Line), 8-minute walk from Gaienmae Station (Ginza Line)
- Admission: Adults 2000 yen, Elementary school students 1000 yen, Preschool children free (conditions apply)
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/tokyochristmas/
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market (December)
Source:Official website
The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market (December) is a long-established domestic Christmas market that began in 2006 at Roppongi Hills. The venue recreates what is said to be the world's largest Christmas market in Stuttgart, Germany, creating a vibrant space with colorful decorations and illuminations.
At the venue, you'll find traditional German Christmas maker Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas goods, along with ornaments, wreaths, and other items that will make you want to decorate for Christmas. Food booths offer authentic German cuisine such as glühwein and sausages, giving you the feeling of strolling through a German Christmas market while in Japan.
I look forward to the food every year and often order hot dogs which are easy to eat while walking around. The combination of juicy sausage and German bread is superb—one bite brings a smile to my face! The hot chocolate I ordered alongside was rich and sweet, warming me from the inside out.
The Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026 organizers have mentioned they'll be collaborating with this market to bring special seasonal treats to visitors.
On your way home, stop by Roppongi Hills to take out Christmas-themed cakes and donuts to enjoy the Christmas spirit at home as well.
<Information>
- Dates: November 4-December 25, 2025
- Access: Directly connected to Roppongi Station (Hibiya Line), 4-minute walk from Roppongi Station or Azabu-juban Station (Oedo Line)
- Admission: Free
- Website:https://www.mori.co.jp/press/release/20250930_1/
For Those Who Love Japanese Sweets and Desserts! 3 Recommended Tours to Enjoy Food with Local Guides
If you want to taste popular sweets, it's recommended to join a tour where knowledgeable guides introduce you to carefully selected shops.
Here, I'll introduce three recommended tours where you can enjoy food with local guides, perfect for those who love Japanese sweets and desserts. The Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026 will be featuring many of these local specialties, making it an excellent opportunity to learn about traditional and modern Japanese confections.
Harajuku Kawaii Fashion & Pop-culture Tour
The Harajuku Kawaii Fashion & Pop-culture Tour is a tour where you can enjoy Harajuku's pop culture with a local guide while strolling down Takeshita Street, which is extremely popular among Japanese youth.
After meeting at Harajuku Station, you'll first head to Takeshita Street. Takeshita Street offers not only shopping for clothes and daily necessities but also street food sweets such as crepes and cotton candy that you can enjoy while walking.
There are many sweet shops, so if you're confused about what to choose, crepes are famous on Takeshita Street, so try selecting one of those. This tour will be especially exciting for visitors interested in the Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026, as you'll get a preview of the delightful treats that make Tokyo famous.
After enjoying shopping and sweets, you'll move to Galaxy Harajuku to experience digital art created in collaboration with the popular art collective teamLab. Finally, you'll end the tour with a Japanese-style lunch such as okonomiyaki or monjayaki in the back streets of Harajuku (nicknamed "Urahara").
With a guide, you can navigate the always crowded and confusing Harajuku without getting lost.
Meeting point:
- Tour area: Harajuku
- Start time: 10:30
1-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour with a Private Car and Guide
The 1-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour with a Private Car and Guide is a tour where you can efficiently visit Tokyo's famous spots by private car. You'll discover various attractions of Tokyo, from historical shrines to modern skyscrapers.
You'll visit five sightseeing spots while having lunch along the way:
- Meiji Shrine
- Tsukiji Market
- Asakusa (or Akihabara)
- Zojoji Temple & Tokyo Tower
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing
My recommended spot is Tsukiji Market. At the market, you can experience the unique energy and dynamism, and taste meals and sweets that can only be eaten here, which left a strong impression on me. The seasonal specialties available here often appear at the Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026, making this a perfect opportunity to sample authentic Japanese flavors.
In addition to the main tourist spots, you can optionally explore Harajuku along with Meiji Shrine, or add a Japanese garden appreciation and matcha experience at Hama-rikyu Gardens. In Harajuku, you can enjoy modern Tokyo, and at Hama-rikyu Gardens, you can enjoy the atmosphere of traditional Tokyo, so adding both will help you better understand Japanese culture.
You'll spend a fulfilling day taking 8 hours to thoroughly visit Tokyo's must-see tourist spots.
<Meeting point>
- Tour area: Tokyo
- Start time: 9:00
Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
The Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour allows you to explore Asakusa, famous for its downtown atmosphere, and enjoy a matcha-making experience.
After meeting in front of the Kaminarimon police box, you'll first stroll down Nakamise Street, which has over 300 years of history, enjoying popular sweets and shopping. Continuing through the street, you'll arrive at the main spot, Sensoji Temple, where you'll receive an explanation about the shrine from your guide.
After Sensoji Temple, you'll move to a place where you can experience matcha. The experience of matcha, a traditional Japanese culture, is a popular plan among tourists as it allows you to escape from Tokyo's hustle and bustle and enjoy the peaceful Japanese spirit.
Many visitors often ask if this is connected to the Tokyo Desserts & Sweets Festival 2026, as the matcha experience offers an authentic taste of traditional Japanese tea culture.
I was also able to relax by making matcha in a calm space and spent a relaxing time. The combination of slightly bitter matcha and the sweet Japanese confectionery served with it is excellent, and once you taste it, you'll be hooked!
Finally, you'll have lunch with monjayaki or okonomiyaki at a popular local restaurant. With both monjayaki and okonomiyaki, you finish cooking them yourself on the iron plate in front of you, so you can enjoy the fun of making them.
This tour allows you to fully enjoy the charm of Asakusa in 3 hours, so it's recommended for those considering sightseeing in Asakusa.
Meeting point:
- Tour area: Harajuku
- Start time: 11:00
