Marutto Akita Expo 2026 to showcase Akita folk performing arts, sake and food on May 30-31

“Marutto Akita Expo 2026: A Full Experience of Akita’s Folk Performing Arts, Sake and Food” will be held on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2026. The event will bring together Akita’s folk performing arts, fine sake, cuisine and diverse attractions from across the prefecture in central Akita City. In addition to powerful performing arts stages, including the Akita Kanto Festival, the event will feature extensive areas where visitors can enjoy Akita’s local sake and specialty cuisine. It is an upgraded and partially renewed version of the former “This Is Akita! Food and Performing Arts Grand Festival,” which was held through last year. This year, Rina Ikoma will also appear as a supporter of Marutto Akita Expo. The two-day event offers visitors a chance to see, eat, experience and fully feel the energy of Akita through its food and culture. Venues include Area Nakaichi, Akita City Cultural Creation Center, Agora Plaza, the Akita Station Front Large Roof Street area, and Seibu Akita as a linked event venue. The event runs from 10:00 to 20:00 on May 30 and from 10:00 to 17:00 on May 31, though closing times vary by venue. Admission is free, with fees required for some hands-on experiences. The Akita Food Festival area will be held at Area Nakaichi, Agora Plaza and Akita Station Front Large Roof Street. Centered on Area Nakaichi, food stalls will serve Akita dishes made with local brand meats and seasonal ingredients, alongside Akita local sake and craft beer. Municipal PR booths will introduce local specialties and tourism information, offering visitors an opportunity to rediscover Akita’s appeal. Stage programs will feature Rina Ikoma and Mika Horii from the support team, MC Shiori Aiba, PR sessions by top sports teams in the prefecture, live music, comedy performances and other programs. The Akita Food Festival area at Area Nakaichi will be open from 10:00 to 20:00 on May 30 and 10:00 to 17:00 on May 31. The Akita gourmet food stall area at Agora Plaza will operate during the same hours. The municipal tourism and product PR area on Akita Station Front Large Roof Street will be open from 10:00 to 17:00 on both days. The “Akita Traditions” folk performing arts and crafts area will be held at Akita City Cultural Creation Center. Performances will include the Akita Kanto Festival, Minato-bayashi music from the Tsuchizaki Minato Hikiyama Festival, and a range of folk performing arts passed down across the prefecture. Visitors can enjoy the sound of festival music and the performers’ powerful presence up close. An outdoor “Fureai Stage” will also offer hands-on opportunities to experience performing arts. Craft-making experience booths will also be available, along with sales of traditional crafts and works by artists from across Akita. Craft experience booths accept registrations on the day of the event. Akita City Cultural Creation Center will be open from 10:00 to 19:00 on May 30 and 10:00 to 17:00 on May 31. The craft experience area closes at 17:00 on both days. A linked event, “Shuichi National Delicious Food Fair,” will also be held at Seibu Akita, bringing together carefully selected gourmet foods. It will take place at the basement event hall of Seibu Akita from 9:30 to 19:30 on May 30 and 9:30 to 19:00 on May 31. The fair itself runs from May 29 to June 7. The event period coincides with the “Go To Akita! Akita Prefecture Tokutabi Campaign.” Accommodation discount coupons will be distributed for eligible lodging facilities, offering discounts of up to 12,000 yen when booked through designated reservation sites. Eligible stays run from check-in on May 15, 2026, to check-out on July 31, 2026. Details: https://tokutabi.akita-fun.jp/ Official website: https://akitahaku.jp/. Contact: Marutto Akita Expo Executive Committee Secretariat, inside the Akita Tourism Convention Association. TEL 018-824-1211, FAX 018-824-0400, MAIL acvb@acvb.or.jp.