Nanao Sea-Class Gourmet Festival: Food, Stages & Venues

Nanao’s Sea-Class Gourmet festival is all about seafood, and it is held at two venues, so it’s worth knowing where to go. Food tasting and voting take place at the main venue in Wakura, while vehicle displays and maritime exhibits are planned at a separate port venue.

The 17th Minato Oasis Sea-Class Gourmet National Competition in Nanao (第17回みなとオアシスSea級グルメ全国大会 in ななお) runs on October 31 and November 1, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. It features dishes from 33 port towns, and visitors vote for the national winner. The event also supports recovery and exchange in the Noto region following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Check the official festival information

Dates and venues: decide where to go first

The event uses two separate venues. For the food competition, head to the yacht harbour at Wakura Onsen Sports Park. The secondary venue is Yatashin No. 1 Wharf at Nanao Port, with related activities also taking place around Minato Oasis Noto Shokusai Market.

Seafood from 33 port communities—and a vote for the winner

Participating Minato Oasis communities stretch from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Each brings a dish featuring regional seafood, so the appeal is trying different port-town specialities in one place.

Voting closes at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, at the main venue. That is earlier than the day’s closing time, so leave time to vote if taking part in the competition is a priority. The announcement doesn’t say how voting works, so check the official guidance.

The organizers report 33 participating port communities. This is a count of participating locations, not a count of individual dishes.

Guest performances: the lineup changes each day

If a performance is your main reason for going, choose your day around the lineup—but check the stage timetable first. Performance times and viewing conditions are not specified in the announcement. Do not assume that arriving at the festival opening time guarantees access to a particular performance.

Check stage times and visitor guidance

The port venue: vehicles, performances and ship displays

The secondary venue offers a different focus from the food competition. Activities at Yatashin No. 1 Wharf and around Noto Shokusai Market include planned yosakoi dance and taiko performances, alongside working-vehicle displays.

Two vessels are also listed for special maritime displays:

The announcement confirms the displays, but does not say whether visitors may board either vessel. It also does not give participation rules for the ladder-truck experience. Check the official information before promising children a particular activity.

Transport, spending and practical checks

The organizers expect congestion around the venues and ask visitors to check public transport, access guidance and shuttle information in advance. The announcement does not provide shuttle stops, departure times, fares or parking arrangements.

• Confirm your destination: use the main venue for food tasting and voting; consult the separate port-venue information for vehicles and ships.
• Check travel between venues: do not build an itinerary around an assumed shuttle connection.
• Confirm costs and payment methods: admission fees, menu prices and accepted payment options are not listed in the announcement.
• Allow for changes: weather and other circumstances may affect the program, and dishes may sell out.

If you are comparing rail-related benefits while planning the trip, our JRE BANK guide is a separate reference; check any benefit’s eligibility against your actual itinerary.

For general preparation, see our d VALUE PASS and ChargeSPOT guide if you are considering portable-battery rentals. Rental availability at the festival is not confirmed. Our guide to choosing a first credit card in Japan covers broader payment planning, but does not establish which cards or payment methods festival stalls accept.

For event-specific updates, use the official festival website and official Nanao Port Instagram account. The details above are based on Nanao City’s October 16 announcement.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission free?

The announcement does not specify an admission fee or state that entry is free. Check the official festival website for admission and food prices.

When does voting close?

Voting closes at 2:00 p.m. on November 1, 2026, at the main venue. The festival remains open until 4:00 p.m. that day.

Which venue should I visit for the food competition?

The food competition and voting take place at Wakura Onsen Sports Park Yacht Harbour, the main venue. Vehicle and maritime displays are announced for the separate port venue.

Can visitors board the ships?

The announcement lists Jintsu and Hamayuki as maritime displays but does not confirm visitor boarding. Check the official guidance before travelling.