NAGOYA WELCOME FESTIVAL
As the eyes of the world turn toward the city this summer, Nagoya is launching a series of coordinated events designed to capitalize on this global attention. These festivities offer a multifaceted experience, blending the high-energy excitement of international sports with curated exhibitions that showcase the city’s charms from a fresh perspective. Whether you are a lifelong local resident or a visitor arriving for the first time, the festival provides an opportunity to engage with the unique energy currently permeating the region.
MEIEKI ASIA GATEWAY
Located at the heart of the city’s transit hub, this venue serves as a gateway to the region’s heritage and industrial prowess. Visitors can expect a diverse range of content—including interactive workshops, stage events, and curated exhibitions—that highlight the intersection of Nagoya’s traditional culture and its modern industrial achievements.
Venue: Special Venue at Nagoya Station West Side Station Plaza
Period: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
Monument Exhibition
A specialized monument exhibition focusing on traditional industry will be on display, allowing guests to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship and cultural depth that define Nagoya.
- Exhibition Period: Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
Float Exhibition
The event will feature two distinct floats from Nakamura Ward, exhibited sequentially.
- Karako-sha: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Koyo-gari-sha: Sunday, September 6, 2026
MEIEKI SPORTS GATE
This segment offers a “Digital × Sports Experience,” merging athletic engagement with modern technology.
- Experience Period: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Sunday, October 4, 2026, and Sunday, October 18 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Time: 10:00 – 21:00 (Note: On Sunday, October 11, hours are limited to 12:00 – 15:00)
For comprehensive details regarding the specific workshops and scheduled stage events, please visit the Official Website (External Link).
THE SPORTS LAB
For those interested in the mechanics and prestige of the Games, THE SPORTS LAB provides an educational environment where the highlights of the tournament are introduced through guided experiences. To commemorate the visit, a photo spot modeled after an official podium has been installed, where guests can take photographs utilizing special medals.
Venue: Special Venue inside the Nagoya City Museum
Period: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
Sports Experience
These sessions allow participants to move their bodies and experience the physical appeal of the featured sports firsthand.
- Time: 9:30 – 17:00 (Please note that event suspension days will align with the museum’s scheduled closing days)
Further information can be found on the Official Website (External Link).
ASIA MEETS NAGOYA
Spanning three days, this event is designed as a full-day destination for all ages, combining athletic activity with the city’s famous culinary scene.
Venue: Special Venue at Kinjo Futo Central Green Space
Period: Monday (Holiday), September 21, 2026 – Wednesday (Holiday), September 23, 2026
Sports Experience Classes
These classes provide a hands-on way to experience the specific events of the Games. Participation is open to parents and children; while pre-registration is encouraged, same-day slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Featured Sports: Basketball, Climbing, and Squash
- Time: 30-minute sessions held between 11:00 – 18:00
Stage Events
The atmosphere will be driven by a variety of programmed activities, ranging from citizen-led stages to talk shows featuring luxury guests.
Nagoya-meshi Expo
This culinary gathering brings together the representative gourmet foods of the city. This food and drink booth is the primary destination for those wishing to sample flavors unique to Nagoya.
Workshops & Fair
A dedicated fair corner for families will be operational, featuring various craft experiences and workshops♪
Detailed programming is available on the Official Website (External Link).
Event Summary
- Dates:
- MEIEKI ASIA GATEWAY: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
- THE SPORTS LAB: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
- ASIA MEETS NAGOYA: Monday (Holiday), September 21, 2026 – Wednesday (Holiday), September 23, 2026
- Time: Varies by venue
- Locations: Special venues at Nagoya Station West Side Station Plaza, inside Nagoya City Museum, and Kinjo Futo Central Green Space (Note: The access map specifically points to the Nagoya Station West Side Station Plaza)
- Price: Free admission
- Contact: Nagoya City General Affairs Bureau, Asia/Asian Para Games Promotion Division
- Telephone: 052-972-4620
- Website: https://nagoya-awp.jp/
What is Nagoya-meshi?
Nagoya-meshi is the collective name for local dishes that developed in Nagoya and the surrounding area. The term comes from meshi, meaning “meal” or “rice,” and is used for a range of foods that originated in the city and later became common across Japan. Nagoya’s food culture differs from Kyoto’s lighter, subtler cooking and Tokyo’s brothy styles in that it relies on stronger flavors, with red miso, soy sauce, and dried seafood as recurring ingredients.
The most important of these is hatcho miso, a dark, reddish-brown soybean paste with a concentrated, slightly bitter taste. It is the base of miso katsu, a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet served with a thick miso sauce, and miso nikomi udon, a pot of firm noodles simmered in a dark, salty broth. Hitsumabushi is grilled eel served over rice; it is eaten first on its own, then with condiments such as spring onion and wasabi, and finally with green tea or broth poured over it as chazuke. Tebasaki are chicken wings coated in a sweet, spicy, soy-based glaze, while kishimen are flat, wide wheat noodles served in a light soy broth.
Nagoya-meshi also includes parts of the city’s café culture. Ogura toast is a thick slice of bread topped with butter and sweet red bean paste, a standard breakfast item in local coffee shops. Ankake spaghetti is thick spaghetti covered in a glossy, black-pepper-heavy sauce, another dish created in Nagoya.
The common thread is not refinement but directness. The food is filling, heavily seasoned, and served in generous portions. At the Nagoya Welcome Festival 2026, food stalls and tasting events will give visitors an introduction to these dishes and the cooking traditions behind them.
