Japanese Summer Festival ＆ Food

When you think about a Japanese summer festival, what comes to mind? Traditional performances? Fireworks lighting up the night sky? Or colorful decorations filling the streets? Of course, there is one more thing that cannot be missing from a summer festival “FOOD”

Food is an important part of Japanese summer festival culture. No matter how big or small the festival is, you can usually find rows of food stalls called “Yatai”, offering a wide variety of snacks, meals, and drinks. Walking around the festival while choosing what to eat is part of the excitement itself.

Introducing Japanese Summer Festival food

1. Yakisoba

Yakisoba is one of the classic foods you will often see at Japanese festivals. It is made by stir-frying noodles with vegetables, meat, and a sweet and savory sauce. The smell of yakisoba cooking on a large hot plate is often enough to make you hungry.　Compared with many other festival snacks, yakisoba is quite filling. So, if you want to have a proper meal while enjoying the festival, this is a good option.

2.Takoyaki

Takoyaki is another very popular festival food. These small snacks with octopus inside are usually topped with sauce, mayonnaise, dried bonito flakes, and seaweed powder. Freshly cooked takoyaki is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However, there is one thing you should remember― be careful when you take your first bite! The inside can be surprisingly hot, even when the outside seems cool enough to eat.

3.RingoAme(Candy Apple)

Ringoame which is directly means “apple candy.” It is made by covering a whole apple with a layer of hard sugar candy.Its red color and glossy appearance make it one of the most eye-catching foods at a summer festival. You can enjoy the contrast between the crunchy candy coating and the fresh, juicy apple inside. Recently, you can also find different versions with colorful coatings and toppings.

4.Ramune

To go with all the food, one of the most iconic Japanese festival drinks is Ramune, a sweet and refreshing soda drink. What makes ramune special is not only its taste but also its unique bottle. Instead of a normal bottle cap, the bottle is sealed with a small glass marble. To open it, you should push the marble down into the bottle using a special opener.

Food and Business Events

Food also plays an important role in business events. Beyond refreshment, it creates natural opportunities for participants to communicate and connect. Food can also express the event concept and brand image through its menu, colors, presentation, and packaging.

At GLOBAL PRODUCE, we work with a strong network of catering partners to provide food and snacks that match each event’s concept, audience, and purpose.

Here are some catering ideas that we offer.

1. Snacks & Beverages with the Brand Logo

Printing your brand logo on snacks and beverages is a simple but effective way to make the brand more visible throughout the event. Branded cookies, sweets, drinks, or packaging can help participants feel more immersed in the event and create additional touchpoints with the brand beyond the main program.

2. Use Food as an Extension of the Event

Food can also be designed as an extension of the event concept. For example, using the event’s key colors in desserts and drinks, or creating food that visually matches the key visual, can make catering feel like part of the overall event design rather than something separate. By connecting the food with the event’s visual identity, even a short coffee break can become part of the event experience.

3. Food for Everyone

When organizing a global event with participants from different countries and backgrounds, food should be planned with extra care. For example, offering halal, vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly options helps create an environment where more participants can comfortably enjoy the food. Thoughtful food planning is not only about hospitality—it shows consideration for every participant and helps create a more welcoming event.

Summary

From Japanese summer festivals to business events, food is more than just refreshment. It creates memorable experiences, encourages communication, and can express the event’s concept and brand identity.

At GLOBAL PRODUCE, we can support you in creating the right catering experience for your event—from branded snacks to customized menus that match your concept.