Photo from Taste of Japan
Don’t you just love tasty and nutritious Japanese food? Combine the flavors of Japan with music and anime and you have the Taste of Japan celebration coming to Phoenix in October.
Experience two days of family-friendly fun celebrating Japanese food, drink, entertainment and the overall culture of the island nation. Don’t miss all your favorite Japanese foods in one place – from traditional ramen, yakitori and Takoyaki, to more eclectic street foods you might find if you were cruising the streets of Tokyo and beyond.
Entertainment will be top notch and happen all day long, including Japanese drummers, martial arts demonstrations, anime and more. All the while, providing a fun glimpse into the pop culture of Japan.
Adults, you will not want to miss the Yokocho Fest featuring the curated beer and sake garden. Yokocho translates to “alleyway” and gives a glimpse into the culture of Japanese libations. VIP access is needed to enter the beer and sake garden, but the website is unclear about what the extra cost is for the VIP. Please note: When Phoenix on the Cheap finds out what the VIP experience extra cost is, we’ll update this post.
Where & When
Mark your calendars for Taste of Japan taking place at Heritage Square in Downtown Phoenix on Saturday, October 7 from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday, October 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Park at the Heritage Square Garage, which is located at 5th Street and Monroe, for around $10. Bring your parking garage ticket with you to the event, so it can be validated for a reduced parking fee.
Tickets
Prior to August 31, tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $12 each or you can purchase a two-day pass for both Saturday and Sunday for $20.
After August 31, tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $15 each or you can purchase the two-day pass for $25.
Advance purchase of tickets is strongly suggested although walk-ins will be welcome as room permits.
To purchase tickets in advance for Taste of Japan, click here.
VIP Gold Package – Yokocho Fest
If you truly want to immerse yourself in the culture’s libations, treat yourself to the Yokocho Fest with the VIP Gold Package. VIP’s receive a wristband upon entry. You must be 21 or older.
The VIP Gold Package costs $69 each and includes:
• 1 Day Ticket entry for Taste of Japan (Saturday or Sunday)
• 10 Premium Sake Tasting- Taste 10 different types of sake from Hakutsuru
• 1 Yokocho Fest Sake cup
• 1 Sake Masu (wooden sake cup)
• 1 Exclusive Yokocho Fest T-Shirt
• 1 Ramen Island Drawstring Bag
• 1 Kimino Soda (variety of flavors)
• 1 Izumi MTN WTR
• Other Sponsored goodies
Purchase VIP Yokocho Fest tickets here.
