InsideJapan News Network

A food fair has begun in the Japanese city of Osaka.

The Shoku Hakurankai Osaka festival is known as the "food Olympics" because it is held every four years, the Japan Times reported.

Some 660,000 guests gathered last time, according to claims made by the organisers.

Though held in Japan, visitors will be able to sample Turkish chicken kebabs and Mexican tacos as well as Russian piroshki.

The 11-day show is situated at the Intex Osaka event hall.

Several summer festivals are planned for the Japanese city, according to osakacity.org.

In a three-day event covering the end of June and start of July, the Aizen Festival will see palanquins draped in red and white feature in a parade.

There is also the Tenjin Festival, spanning day and night, which will see more than 100 boats cruising down the city's rivers, decorated and lit.

Finally, a ritual cleansing will be had by many at the Sumiyoshi Festival, as participants walk through a thatched ring.

Written by Graham MacPherson


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