Banh mi, the Vietnamese sandwich on a crisp baguette, gets its own festival in Tokyo this autumn. The Vietnam Banh Mi Festival 2026 (ベトナム バインミーフェスティバル 2026) is being held for the first time, over one weekend at Shinjuku Central Park. Entry costs nothing, so it’s an easy stop if you’re already in Shinjuku. You only pay for what you eat and drink.
- Dates: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026
- Hours (official website): Sat 11:00–20:00 / Sun 10:00–18:00
- Venue: Fun More Time Plaza (ファンモアタイム広場), Shinjuku Central Park, 2-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Entry: Free (food and drinks paid separately)
- Official site: banhmi-fes.com
Why this festival is worth a look
Most food festivals in Tokyo mix many cuisines. This one puts a single dish at the center. According to the press release, it is the first large-scale event in Japan built around banh mi, and it is supported by the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan.
Food is only part of it. Over the two days there will also be Vietnamese coffee, stage performances, traditional games, a craft workshop, cyclo rides and a market of Vietnamese goods. It’s a way to get a taste of Vietnam without leaving Shinjuku.
Hours: check before you go
The published hours don’t match across sources, so it’s worth a quick check on the day.
| Day | Official website | Press release (9 August 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 26 Sept | 11:00–20:00 | 10:00–18:00 (planned) |
| Sun 27 Sept | 10:00–18:00 | 10:00–18:00 (planned) |
What you can eat and drink
Many kinds of banh mi
Banh mi uses a French-style baguette made with some rice flour, which gives a crisp crust and a soft inside. Typical fillings are juicy meat, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. The organizers say a wide range of banh mi will be on offer, so trying a couple of different ones is part of the fun.
TOKYO BANH MI STAND is confirmed
One vendor has already been announced: TOKYO BANH MI STAND, a banh mi specialist in Moto-Akasaka, Tokyo, run by IKOKKU Inc. The shop builds its sandwiches from its own bread, fillings, fresh herbs and sweet-sour pickles. For the festival it plans an event-only menu that you can’t get at the shop.
You can see what the shop is up to on its Instagram account. The full list of other vendors and menu prices hadn’t been published in the sources we checked, so look at the official site for updates.
Vietnamese coffee
The classic drink to go with banh mi is Vietnamese coffee: dark-roasted beans with a rich, sweet finish. It’s also on the festival lineup.
Stage shows and hands-on culture
Here’s what the organizers have said is planned. Times and details for each program weren’t in the announcements, so treat this as a preview.
| Type | What’s planned |
|---|---|
| Stage | Talk shows, live music, dance |
| Traditional game | Da cau (Vietnamese shuttlecock kicking game) |
| Workshop | Lampshade making with Vietnamese handmade paper |
| Ride | Cyclo (Vietnamese three-wheeled pedal taxi) |
| Shopping | Vietnamese goods and homeware |
| Game | Stamp rally with prizes |
Ethnic Magazine, an Asian food media brand also run by IKOKKU Inc., is the media partner. It has about 34,000 followers on Instagram (@kg_ethnicfood) and plans to post updates from the venue during the event. Its website is ethnic-magazine.com.
Getting there
The venue is the Fun More Time Plaza inside Shinjuku Central Park, 2-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, on the west side of Shinjuku near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
- Tochomae Station (Toei Oedo Line): Exit A5 leads directly to the venue
- Nishi-Shinjuku Station (Tokyo Metro): about 5 minutes on foot
- Shinjuku Station (JR and other lines): about 10 minutes on foot
Coming from outside Tokyo? JR East’s discounted Tokudane Special 28 Shinkansen fares can bring the ticket cost down, and the Aki no Norihodai Pass for JR local trains is worth a look if you’re turning the trip into a slow weekend.
Tips for a cheap, easy visit
- Share and try more. Entry is free, so what you spend is up to you. Splitting a few different sandwiches with friends lets you compare without overspending.
- Look for the event-only menu first. Limited items at festivals often sell out, so it makes sense to start with TOKYO BANH MI STAND’s special menu.
- Payment methods weren’t announced. We couldn’t confirm whether cashless payment will be accepted at every stall, so bring some cash just in case.
- Make a day of it. After the festival, a soak at a local bathhouse is a cheap way to end the day. See our guide to the ¥300 Tokyo sento coupon.
FAQ
- Q. Is the Banh Mi Festival free to enter?
- Yes. Entry is free. Food and drinks are paid separately.
- Q. What are the opening hours?
- According to the official website, Saturday 26 September runs 11:00–20:00 and Sunday 27 September runs 10:00–18:00. The earlier press release listed 10:00–18:00 (planned) for both days, so check the official website before you go.
- Q. Where is the venue?
- The Fun More Time Plaza in Shinjuku Central Park, 2-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Exit A5 of Tochomae Station on the Toei Oedo Line connects directly, and Nishi-Shinjuku Station is about 5 minutes on foot.
- Q. Which vendors will be there?
- TOKYO BANH MI STAND, a banh mi shop in Moto-Akasaka, has confirmed it will take part with an event-only menu. The full vendor list and menu prices were not in the announcements we checked, so see the official website.
- Q. Is there anything to do besides eating?
- Talk shows, live music, dance, the traditional game da cau, a lampshade workshop using Vietnamese handmade paper, cyclo rides, a Vietnamese goods market and a stamp rally with prizes are planned.
Sources: Vietnam Banh Mi Festival official website / IKOKKU Inc. press release (PR TIMES, 9 August 2026). Information as of 16 September 2026. Programs and hours may change, so please check the official website for the latest details.