Aomori, at the northern tip of Honshu, is bringing its food to Tokyo. Nmee Aomori Fes (んめぇ青森フェス2026in日比谷公園) is held for the first time this year, at the Niranoki Square (にれのき広場) area of Hibiya Park. Nmee is local dialect for tasty, and the menu leans hard on what the prefecture is known for: Mutsu Bay scallops, salmon from the Tsugaru Strait, niboshi (dried sardine) ramen and apples.
Entry costs nothing. You only pay for what you eat and drink, and another food event, Niku Matsuri, runs in the same park on the same days. The organisers expect more than 100,000 visitors across the two events, so weekend crowds are likely.
Key details at a glance
| Dates | Fri 18 – Sun 20 September 2026 (3 days) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00–18:00 |
| Venue | Hibiya Park, Niranoki Square 1-6 Hibiya Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Entry | Free (food and drinks paid separately) |
| Payment | Cash, contactless cards, e-money (Suica, iD etc.), QR codes (PayPay, Rakuten Pay etc.) |
| Organiser | Nmee Aomori Fes Executive Committee |
| Contact | [email protected] 03-6811-1135 (weekdays 10:00–18:00) |
Official site: aomorifes.jp. Stall updates are posted on the official Instagram. Menu prices have not been announced yet, so please check there before you go.
What to eat: stalls and menus
The stalls announced so far cover the sea, the fields and the ramen counter. Here is the line-up from the organisers’ press release.
| Stall | Menu | Why it’s worth a try |
|---|---|---|
| JF Aomori Gyoren | Grilled Mutsu Bay scallops (also dried squid and scallop products planned) | Scallops grilled on site, known for mellow sweetness |
| Hokusai Fishery Production Association | Kaikyo Salmon bowl, seared Kaikyo Salmon skewer | Raised in the Tsugaru Strait off Ohata, Mutsu City |
| Mendokoro Niboshika | Rich niboshi soba | Dried-sardine ramen, a long-loved Aomori style |
| (planned) | Miso curry milk ramen | A soul food of Aomori City: miso, curry spice and milk |
| Aomori Wars | Fried Aomori bluefin tuna | Bluefin tuna served as crispy karaage |
| KEYAGU | Kaiyaki miso with scallop and monkfish | Local dish cooked with miso in a shell |
| Nakadai Kanko Farm | Grilled corn with butter and soy sauce | Made with Sato no Kimi corn |
| — | Cut apple candy | Aomori apples coated in crunchy candy |
If you only have room for one savoury dish, the scallops and the salmon bowl are the clearest picture of Aomori’s coastline. The miso curry milk ramen is the adventurous pick: it sounds odd on paper, but locals treat it as comfort food.
Juno Heart cherry collaboration and the prize draw
For dessert, the festival has a one-off collaboration. Juno Heart is a cherry variety developed in Aomori: large, heart-shaped and ruby red, with a strong sweetness. Hiroyuki Emori, owner-pâtissier of MAISON GIVRÉE, is turning it into sweets for this event. The exact items have not been published, so keep an eye on the official Instagram.
There is also an extra free activity. The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy runs a booth explaining energy facilities in Aomori, including the nuclear fuel cycle, with videos and panels. Take part in the qualifying survey or activities there for a turn at the garapon lottery, with Aomori food products as prizes. Details of the eligible activities will be explained on site.
Niku Matsuri in the same park
On the same three days, Hibiya Park also hosts Niku Matsuri (肉祭2026in日比谷公園), a meat-focused food event. You can walk freely between the two, which makes it easy to share seafood with one group of friends and meat with another.
| Event | What’s on the menu |
|---|---|
| Nmee Aomori Fes | Aomori seafood, ramen, apples, local sake |
| Niku Matsuri | Steak, beef tongue, harami, Tokyo Shamo chicken, Hot Dog Grand Prix 2026 winner |
Paying at the stalls and planning your visit
You don’t need to bring a stack of cash. According to the organisers, you can pay with cash, contactless cards, e-money such as Suica and iD, or QR code apps such as PayPay and Rakuten Pay. Carrying a little cash as a backup is still sensible, in case a card reader or phone signal struggles in a busy park.
If you plan to pay by PayPay, it is worth setting the app up before the day. New users can check the sign-up bonus in our PayPay referral code guide.
FAQ
- Q. Is Nmee Aomori Fes free to enter?
- Yes. Entry is free. You pay separately for food and drinks.
- Q. When and where is it held?
- From Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026, 10:00 to 18:00, at Niranoki Square in Hibiya Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
- Q. Can I pay without cash?
- Yes. The organisers list cash, contactless cards, e-money such as Suica and iD, and QR code payments such as PayPay and Rakuten Pay.
- Q. How much does the food cost?
- Menu prices have not been announced. Check the official website or Instagram for the latest details.
- Q. Is Niku Matsuri a separate event?
- Niku Matsuri 2026 in Hibiya Park is a separate meat-themed food event held in the same park on the same dates, and you can move freely between the two.
