The ice cream expo “Aipaku® Premium KYOTO 2026” is being held at the [Kyoto City Kan'kogokan Miyako Messe] (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) through Monday, March 30, 2026. With over 140 varieties of ice cream from 31 brands—including popular shops from across the country and rare ice creams available only locally—this is an event that sweet lovers won’t want to miss. The “ICECREAM HOLIC” event, themed around “ice cream you can’t eat,” is also being held simultaneously, so invite your friends and family to enjoy “five days of ice cream heaven.”

Dates: Through Monday, March 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Hours extended until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28)
Admission / [Date-Specific Advance Tickets] 700 yen for elementary school students and older; [Same-Day Tickets] 800 yen for elementary school students and older

The “Kyoto Sweet Potato Grand Campaign 2026” is being held at [Umekoji Park] (Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) through Sunday, March 29, 2026. Fifteen shops—including the winner of the “National Baked Sweet Potato Grand Prix” and other popular specialty shops offering baked sweet potatoes and sweet potato desserts—have gathered in Kyoto for this event. The venue features a dedicated eat-in area, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the event in the spacious park, making it a great experience even for families with children. In addition, there’s a wealth of non-culinary activities, including a KIDS area and attractions for train enthusiasts. Be sure to stop by this spring event that combines sweet potatoes, hands-on experiences, and fun.

Dates: Through Sunday, March 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge

The “Spring Tokaido Sake Brewery Tour” will be held in Shiga on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, 2026. At the venue in front of JR Kishikawa Station, sake from 10 breweries in Konan City and Koka City—said to be Shiga Prefecture’s largest concentration of sake breweries—will be on display. In addition, the “Sake Brewery Market” held in the parking lot of [Kitajima Shuzo] (Konan City, Shiga Prefecture) will offer a chance to sample gourmet foods unique to Konan City, along with a raffle for original acrylic masu cups. Furthermore, six breweries in Konan City and Koka City will simultaneously hold “Brewery Open House” events, where visitors can enjoy both free and paid sake tastings without a reservation. Brewery tours are also available, so why not savor Shiga’s fine sake while experiencing the passion of the brewers firsthand?

Dates: Saturday, March 28, 2026, and Sunday, March 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The “Yamashina Sweets Fest” will be held over two days, Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the [Honganji Yamashina Branch Temple] (Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture). This popular event brings together a diverse array of culinary delights—including popular shops from the Yamashina area—all in one place, allowing visitors to enjoy a food-tasting stroll. In addition to the food, the festival features a variety of attractions such as craft stalls, relaxation areas, workshops, and live music stages, making it enjoyable for people of all ages. As a new feature this year, a dance contest featuring a gathering of “yuru-chara” (cute mascots) is also scheduled to take place. Why not spend your spring holiday in Yamashina—often called a treasure trove of Japanese and Western sweets—while enjoying delicious food and exciting events?

Date and Time: March 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun), 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Rain or Shine

The “Hikone Film Festival 2026” will be held for the first time on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, 2026, at [Proceed Arena HIKONE] (Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture). This year’s festival will explore the appeal of film through three key themes—“Watch,” “Shoot,” and “Enjoy”—featuring screenings of films shot on location in Hikone, an open-set filming session for a movie starring Hikonyan, and workshops where attendees can learn about the mechanics of micro-drones used in filmmaking. In addition, the festival will feature a star-studded lineup of events, including a panel discussion with invited guests discussing the appeal of Hikone as a “city of film,” and a lecture by film director Keishi Otomo. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to not only enjoy watching movies but also get a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process.

Dates: Saturday, March 28, 2026, and Sunday, March 29, 2026