Taiwan Matsuri in Nara Kashihara 2026 - Tainan Lantern Festival Confirmed!

The Taiwan Matsuri Executive Committee is proud to announce the holding of 'Taiwan Matsuri in Nara Kashihara 2026 - Tainan Lantern Festival' at AEON Mall Kashihara (Kashihara City, Nara) from July 18th (Sat) to August 30th (Sun), 2026.

With the theme 'Experience 365 Days of Taiwan Night Markets in Japan,' Taiwan Matsuri aims to be a bridge for cultural exchange through regional night market cuisine. The event started in 2016 as a gesture of gratitude for the support received from Taiwan during the Great East Japan Earthquake and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. This marks the second consecutive year the event will be held in Nara Kashihara.

In 2026, the festival adopts the historic southern city of Tainan as its annual theme, showcasing its unique food, culture, and warm hospitality throughout the year.

### Enjoy 'Taiwan Night Market' with Tainan Delicacies In addition to popular staples like Large Fried Chicken (Da Ji Pai) and Xiao Long Bao, the venue will feature signature Tainan dishes such as Tainan Danzai Noodles and Tainan Shrimp Rice (Xiaren Fan). Local chefs will recreate authentic flavors to promote the rich culinary heritage of Tainan.

### Venue Space Decorated with Mystical Tainan Lanterns The venue will be adorned with colorful and enchanting Tainan lanterns, creating a vibrant night market atmosphere by day and a mystical, softly lit space by night. Visitors can enjoy a moment that feels like traveling through Tainan right here in Nara.

### Exploring the Charm of Tainan Fruits Tainan is renowned as one of Taiwan's leading fruit-producing regions. Taiwan Matsuri will showcase the charm of Tainan's local fruits in various forms.

**Event Overview:** - **Period:** July 18 (Sat) – August 30 (Sun), 2026 - **Hours:** Weekdays 11:30–14:30 / 17:00–21:00; Weekends/Holidays 11:30–21:00 (Special hours apply Aug 8–16) - **Admission:** Free - **Location:** AEON Mall Kashihara, West Village Special Venue - **Organizer:** Taiwan Matsuri Executive Committee - **Cooperation:** Tainan City, Tainan City Government Agriculture Bureau