Tokyo Snapshots Vol. 3 - Sights, smell, and taste from the gourmet festival in Tokyo

JStories — This month, I visited the “Tokyo Tokyo Delicious Museum”, a part gourmet showcase, part cultural celebration that brings together local and global cuisines, traditional crafts, and live performances in Tokyo’s Ariake district. Held from May 16 to 18, the event is in its fourth year of offering a full-bodied experience offering a full-bodied experience of what it means to eat, feel, and live in Tokyo.

The moment I stepped into the venue, I was enveloped by different aromas, upbeat music, and a burst of colors from beautifully plated dishes — my five senses woke up at once. This wasn’t just a gourmet event; it was a stage that quietly yet vividly showcased the depth and openness of Tokyo as a city, where tradition meets innovation, East blends with West, and diverse cultures coexist harmoniously. 

The event space was divided into three thematic zones: Edo-style Zone, Food Journey Zone, and Tokyo Delicious Zone. The Edo-style Zone featured iconic Japanese dishes rooted in the capital’s culinary history, such as sushi, eel, tempura, and soba. The Food Journey Zone took visitors on a tour through regional specialties, from Aichi’s duck dishes to Okinawa-style tacos. Lastly, the Tokyo Delicious Zone brought together a cosmopolitan array: wagyu beef bowls topped with truffle, authentic Palestinian cuisine, Italian dishes by Chef Tsutomu Ochiai, Chinese food by Shisen Hanten, game meat, as well as vegan and gluten-free offerings.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike opened the event with a message on cultural pride:

“The Tokyo Tokyo Delicious Museum festival, where you can experience the culinary treasures Tokyo offers to the world, has begun. This year, guests can enjoy traditional Edo-style cuisine like sushi and dishes from across Japan and around the globe, including shojin (Buddhist vegan) cuisine and gluten-free menus. Let us continue to share with the world the richness of Tokyo’s culinary culture.”

Crowds from various cultural backgrounds gathered around the center stage. One visitor from California told us they initially expected a purely traditional Japanese food event but were pleasantly surprised by the variety of international offerings.

“It feels like I’ve traveled the world in miniature,” they said. “I feel like I just circled the globe without ever leaving Tokyo.”

It was a sentiment we shared. Dish after dish, it was clear that each plate told a story — a country’s history, its people, and its palate. The event offered more than just food; it provided a cultural experience that connected attendees with global traditions through taste and aroma. The flavors left a lasting impression, highlighting the importance of culinary heritage across regions and time.

What stood out especially was the presentation. Portions were modest, often served in delicate, handcrafted dishes that emphasized simplicity and balance. Each plate was carefully arranged with clean lines and thoughtful spacing, reflecting the Tokyo aesthetic of minimalism and attention to detail. Even foreign cuisines were adapted to this style, combining flavors with a quiet elegance and order that avoided excess or clutter. Rather than competing, the diverse dishes harmonized on the table, embodying a refined sense of “harmonious diversity” that is uniquely Tokyo — a blend of tradition and modernity, precision and subtlety, where beauty and restraint elevate the dining experience

Japanese dishes, too, showed signs of evolution, blending traditional roots with modern creativity. One memorable example was a dish called “kaisendon baraage tendon," a reimagined tempura bowl. Rather than using whole shrimp or vegetables, the chef chopped a variety of seafood into small pieces and deep-fried them in a “baraage” style, resulting in a crumbly, bite-sized tempura that blended seamlessly with the rice — somewhat reminiscent of the Chinese banfan style, which features toppings served over a bowl of plain rice.

Adding to this innovative approach, a particularly bold touch was the placement of salmon roe (ikura) atop the hot tempura. While ikura is typically associated with cold dishes like sushi or seafood bowls, here it formed an unexpected yet harmonious pairing. The hot, crunchy tempura contrasted with the cool, bursting texture of the ikura, creating a surprisingly balanced experience that challenged conventional culinary pairings. This interplay of texture and temperature offered a new kind of sensory delight and expectation.

Live performances also shaped the festival’s vibrant atmosphere. Traditional Japanese taiko drumming alternated with jazz, blending into a unique rhythm that animated the venue. This space, which could be described as a theater of the senses, became one of the festival’s most memorable spaces.

The stage performances ranged from jazz by Liquid Stella, to classical music by Kazu Hide Iino, to pop acts and even martial arts displays — always dynamic and never predictable. It felt a bit like China’s “Chunwan” (Spring Festival Gala), where taste, sight, and sound are all celebrated in equal measure.

Off to one side of the venue was a quieter zone featuring traditional crafts. One exhibitor showcased lacquerware accessories: tiny charms shaped like seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets) or cherry blossoms. Their delicate craftsmanship offered a glimpse into Japan’s seasonal aesthetics and artisanal traditions, drawing visitors to pause and admire.

A chopstick shop from Ishikawa Prefecture took part in the event for two reasons: to share the beauty of regional craftsmanship while supporting recovery efforts following the Noto Peninsula earthquake. “We want people to feel the culture and warmth behind everyday tools,” the exhibitor said.

The event layout was simple: three themed zones, neatly arranged booths, and a steady flow of visitors. But what lingered in our minds wasn’t the novelty or number of dishes — it was the stories woven into the smallest details. A single pair of chopsticks, the beat of a taiko drum, or the vibrant aroma of a dish prepared before our eyes — all came together to form a mosaic of “Tokyo that can be felt, remembered, and taken home.”

In this city, food is more than a sensory indulgence. It is a bridge between cultures, a form of storytelling, and Tokyo continues to tell those stories with elegance and unmistakable conviction.

It truly felt like a sensory voyage around the world — and one that brought us back to the very essence of Tokyo: a global city that welcomes and refines diversity.

Translated by Anita De Michele | JStories

Edited by Desiderio Luna | JStories

Top photo:  Courtesy of Tokyo Tokyo Delicious Museum (Collage made by JStories)

For inquiries regarding this article, please contact jstories@pacificbridge.jp

Click here for the Japanese version of the article.