A big part of yakitori's irresistible appeal in Japan lies in its simplicity. Skewered and grilled over charcoal, the tender pieces of chicken, seasoned with salt or tare sauce, create a harmonious balance of smokiness and succulence.

The Yakitori Japan Festival in Nagano's Ueda (in 2024) celebrates this much-loved foodie favorite, and the two-day event will include different yakitori shops from Hokkaido all the way to Okinawa and many places in between.

If you do plan on visiting, please note that the hours differ slightly on each day of the event – the Saturday hours are from 10am until 5pm, and the Sunday hours are from 10am until 4pm.