Carioca Matsuri festival to bring Japanese culture to Rio de Janeiro

The Carioca Matsuri festival is scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 2, 2026, at Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro. Described as Brazil’s largest immersive experience in Japanese gastronomy and culture, the event will span over 80 hours of programming across an 11,000 square meter area.

The festival expects to attract approximately 35,000 attendees and is estimated to generate an economic impact of R$ 7 million, creating more than 300 direct and indirect jobs. The event will feature a mix of traditional Japanese culture, otaku themes, and musical attractions.

Gastronomy is a central pillar of the festival, featuring traditional dishes and Japanese street food. Michelin-starred chef André Kawai, a Goodwill Ambassador for the Diffusion of Japanese Cuisine, will serve as a gastronomic ambassador and lead a themed premium restaurant. Additionally, the festival will offer free culinary workshops where participants can learn techniques and ingredients from prominent chefs.