In Japan, when the sweet summer days are here, it is time to don a yukata and join the locals to attend a Japanese Matsuri (festival). Experience a one-of-a-kind street food fair and here are just some of the popular Japanese festival foods enjoyed in Japan.

Summer in Japan is brimming with celebrations. Obon (??) is an annual Buddhist event held in mid August (or mid July in some regions) for commemorating one’s ancestors. It is believed that the ancestors’ spirits return to this world to visit their relatives during obon.
During this time, there are lively festivals (matsuri ??), obon dance (bon odori ???), and firework displays (hanabi ????) taking place all over Japan. Expect a high level of exuberance from participants and spectators alike, whether it?s a local neighborhood event or a grander city-run matsuri. You will see festival floats (mikoshi ??), dramatic masks, decorated banners, ornamented shrines, and of course, a sea of people enjoying the spectacle.  Where there is a lot of people on the streets, there will be a lot of street food to savor! You will see endless yatai (??), mobile food stalls, occupying the masturi venues and offering a delicious variety of foods. From traditional Japanese dishes to western-influenced sweets, Japanese festival foods offered at yatai rarely cost more than ¥700, which is about US$6-7. There are plenty of food-on-a-stick choices for take-out, and it?s acceptable to walk around while eating them. This is ...