Kizuna Expo – Japanese Culture and Cuisine Festival
The great Japanese festival in Rome, featuring izakaya, matsuri, and taiko at Officine Farneto
About Kizuna Expo
Japan in the heart of Rome
Every autumn, Officine Farneto, one of Rome's most iconic and versatile spaces, transforms into a small Japanese village spanning over 3,000 square meters. Kizuna Expo is the major festival dedicated to the culture and cuisine of the Land of the Rising Sun that has captured the capital. The name chosen, kizuna, means "bond" or "connection" in Japanese, perfectly summarizing the spirit of the event, which was created to bring the Italian public closer to the traditions and modernity of Japan. The event takes place in the Farnesina district, in North Rome, within the municipality of Rome, in the province of Rome and the Lazio region.
An authentic gastronomic matsuri
The beating heart of Kizuna is its street food, celebrating authentic Japanese cuisine far from stereotypes. The festival brings together over twenty stands, including izakaya (traditional Japanese taverns), ramen bars, and traditional sweet shops, featuring Japanese chefs and restaurateurs from the best venues in Rome and Milan. Offerings range from hand-pulled noodle ramen to wagyu, gyoza to sushi, and bao to wagashi sweets, all accompanied by sake, tea, and Japanese beer served at dedicated bars.
Performances, taiko, and martial arts
A rich program of live performances revolves around the gastronomy. The stages feature powerful taiko drum percussion, folk dances, martial arts and calligraphy demonstrations, showcooking, and concerts. The atmosphere is that of a true matsuri, the Japanese popular festival, with performances following one another throughout the day.
Classes, workshops, and market
Kizuna Expo is not just to be watched, but to be experienced firsthand. Dedicated rooms host cooking classes to learn how to prepare gyoza, sushi, and bao, while other spaces host free workshops on painting, origami, and Japanese sweets, with labs designed for children as well. The market completes the experience: a journey through Japanese crafts, design, and culture, from ceramics to kimonos, bonsai trees, gadgets, and calligraphy tools.
A rapidly growing event
Founded in 2024, the event was an immediate success, exceeding 8,000 visitors in its first edition alone. Today, Kizuna Expo is considered one of the most important showcases of Japanese culture in Rome, capable of attracting enthusiasts, families, and the curious for a weekend of full immersion in Japan, just a stone's throw from the center of the capital.
Kizuna Expo — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Kizuna Expo is scheduled from October 24 to 26, 2026, at Officine Farneto in Rome. As per tradition, the space transforms into an authentic matsuri with over 3,000 square meters dedicated to Japan.
The program includes sixteen restaurants with live cooking and over twenty street food and ramen bar stands, a stage for performances and demonstrations every hour with taiko drums, folk dances, and martial arts, two rooms for cooking classes (gyoza, sushi, bao), and two rooms for free workshops on painting, origami, and sweets. There will also be a stage dedicated to showcooking with free tastings and a large market of Japanese crafts, design, and culture.
Programme Kizuna Expo 2026
The program for the 2026 edition spans three days at Officine Farneto:
- Gastronomy: 16 restaurants with live cooking (izakaya) and over 20 street food stands, ramen bars, and traditional sweets, with bars and a sake bar.
- Performances: stage with demonstrations every hour — taiko drums, folk dances, martial arts, calligraphy, and concerts.
- Cooking classes: two rooms dedicated to gyoza, sushi, and bao classes (by reservation).
- Free workshops: two rooms for painting, origami, and Japanese sweets labs, suitable for children too.
- Showcooking: dedicated stage with free tastings.
- Market: crafts, design, ceramics, kimonos, bonsai, and Japanese culture.
Times and the detailed line-up will be published by the organizers closer to the event.
Highlights Kizuna Expo 2026
- 16 Japanese restaurants with live cooking and over 20 street food and ramen bar stands
- Taiko drum performances, folk dances, and martial arts
- Cooking classes (gyoza, sushi, bao) and free workshops on origami, painting, and sweets
- Large market of Japanese crafts and design spanning over 3,000 sqm
Prices Kizuna Expo 2026
Practical information — Kizuna Expo
How to get there
Officine Farneto is located at Via dei Monti della Farnesina 77, in the Farnesina district of North Rome. By car, it is easily reached via Via Flaminia and the Tangenziale; by public transport, it is served by surface lines and is not far from the Roma San Pietro train station and metro stops. Using public transport during the festival days is recommended.
Hours and tickets
The festival is generally open from Friday afternoon through the evening, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Admission is paid, with tickets available online (reduced price for early bird bookings); admission is free for children up to 8 years old and for people with disabilities. Cooking classes and some activities require online booking.
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Where does it take place — Kizuna Expo
Officine Farneto
Via dei Monti della Farnesina 77, 00191 Roma