The largest Japanese festival in Canada with a huge Asian food market is coming to the Toronto area

Mississauga Entertainment Festivals & Events

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Published August 13, 2024 at 9:47 am

The largest Japanese festival in North America with a huge Asian food market is coming to Mississauga

North America’s largest Japanese festival is back this year, and it includes a massive food market with dozens of vendors.

Japan Festival will be happening this weekend at Celebration Square in Mississauga, where it’s held every year. The theme of this year’s festival is “Forging New Connections in a New Era.”

The best part is, admission to the event is totally free.

100,000 visitors are expected to attend the fest over Saturday and Sunday, anticipated based on crowds of that size coming out to attend Japan Festival in 2022 and 2023. The festival had to be held virtually in 2020 and 2021, but now attendance has ramped up in a major way. In its first year in 2016, the event attracted about 40,000 attendees.

“Building upon the success of our milestone achievement in 2023, where we welcomed over 100,000 attendees and embarked on a transformative path forward, our commitment to innovation and connectivity remains unwavering,” organizers said in a letter earlier this year to City of Mississauga officials.

“In 2024, our theme ‘Forging New Connections in a New Era’ underscores our dedication to exploring Japan’s industrial prowess, technological advancements, cultural heritage and culinary delights from a Canadian perspective.”

Organizers say the festival “aims to promote and showcase Japanese culture and technology to the world through the multicultural and diverse nation of Canada. Our primary goal is to unearth and highlight the value and charm of Japan that may at times go unnoticed by even its own people and help present a more captivating ‘Made-in-Japan’ narrative.”

The festival will include “captivating stage performances featuring various genres of Japanese music and traditional arts, immersive video presentations highlighting the allure of Japanese tourism and initiatives to support Japanese businesses and individuals thriving in Canada.”

Here are food vendors that will be present at Japan Festival:

  • Furusato International
  • Japanese Ramen
  • Yakitori
  • Fisherman’s Plaice
  • Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake
  • Gushi
  • Ichifuku Montreal
  • Hattendo
  • Ryus Noodle Bar
  • EDO Restaurant
  • KINTON RAMEN
  • Japadog
  • Osaka
  • Zakkushi
  • Yosh.To
  • Happy Twist
  • One Dog Izakaya
  • Hey Juice
  • Bao Bar
  • King of Sugacane Juice
  • Tokyo Taco (Thai Angels Inc.)
  • Juice 169
  • Marry Me Mochi
  • Takoyaki Bros
  • Wafflized
  • Yummy Kitchen
  • Uncle Fai
  • Grill skewers and oysters
  • Cold noodles and steamed buns
  • Fruit Tea and Snowflakes
  • Fried chicken and grill squid
  • Savorology Artisan Bakery
  • Grotto Tea Lounge
  • WubaEats
  • Namwan

Japan Festival is happening on Aug. 17 and 18, with hours from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

More information on scheduled entertainers can be found on the festival’s website.