For four days only, the area in front of Osaka Castle Park’s station turns into the world of the TV show “Himitsu no Kenmin SHOW” (Secret Prefecture Show). Yomiuri TV (ytv) holds the “Himitsu no Kenmin SHOW Kiwami Netsuai Gourmet Fest, supported by Suntory Sui Gin Soda” from Friday, November 20 to Monday, November 23 (a national holiday), 2026, at the plaza in front of JR Osakajo-koen Station and around the ytv headquarters. Entry is free.
The organizers say it is “not only about food”: besides regional dishes featured on the show, there are talk shows, hands-on activities and live music.
17 stalls bring regional favorites to Osaka Castle
There are two venues. The “Osaka Castle Kenmin Netsuai Gourmet Zone” in the station plaza has 12 stalls: spicy miso ramen from Yamagata, motsu-ni (stewed offal) from Gunma, chicken butter rice bowl from Kagawa, imo-ten (sweet potato tempura) from Kochi, the “Big Momo” fried chicken from Oita, and more. From Hyogo, Ganso Gyoza-en serves “Kobe miso-dare gyoza”.
Around the ytv headquarters, the “ytv Kenmin Nigiwai Zone” has five stalls: Shizuoka oden from Tenjinya, Saitama’s Fukaya negi curry yakisoba, Tochigi’s potato fries, and Maneki no Ekisoba’s “tempura ekisoba” from Hyogo. Oyama Ham’s direct-sales shop from Tottori offers a “super long sausage” on November 21–23 only. There is also a “Kenmin Bussanten” market of products featured on the show, so you can pick up souvenirs too.
For Kansai readers, it is nice that familiar tastes from Kobe and Himeji are here too. All payments on site are cashless only, so have your payment method ready.
Talk shows, live music and local-specialty contests
The main draw on the ytv Kenmin Nigiwai Zone stage is the “Kenmin Okuni-jiman Talk Show”, with a guest every day: Makita Sports (Yamanashi) on Friday, November 20 at 11:30; Suda Akari (Aichi) on Saturday, November 21 at 12:50; Nobuko of Party Chan (Oita) on Sunday, November 22 at 11:00; and Mochida Koshihikari (Miyagi) on Monday, November 23 at 17:30. Expect local food, memories of home and behind-the-scenes stories from the show.
There are two announcer talks too: 虎谷温子 introduces Tsugaru dialect (Nov 22, 16:30), and 山本隆弥 talks about his love of local railways with guest 斉藤雪乃 (Nov 20, 12:45).
Live music goes with the food.
GOOD BYE APRIL plays an acoustic set on Friday, November 20 at 16:30; 柄須賀皇司 of the paddles plays the same day at 19:00; and 寿理 plays on Saturday, November 21 at 17:30.
The “National Local Specialty Contest” includes Gunma’s “konnyaku stacking contest”, the “World Natto Stretching and Mixing Championship”, Iwate’s “Chabudai-gaeshi (table-flipping) World Championship?!”, and Kyoto Kyotanabe’s “Isu-1 Grand Prix”, a race on office chairs. Participants are recruited on site. There are also character greetings, a bingo game, activities such as the “Kenmin Quiz” and “Kenmin Wipe Experience”, and a digital stamp rally across the two venues.
If you are bringing small children, the character greetings and hands-on activities are good bets.
Live TV special on the morning of Nov 21
Tied to the event, a live special, “Zenkoku Kenmin Netsuai Gourmet SHOW Kiwami – Kenkoba no Konnan Taberu shika nai yaro SP”, will air from the venue on Saturday, November 21 from 10:25 to 11:25 (Kansai local broadcast). Cast: Kendo Kobayashi, Suda Akari, Biscuit Brothers and ytv announcer 西尾桃.
Event information
- Event: Himitsu no Kenmin SHOW Kiwami Netsuai Gourmet Fest, supported by Suntory Sui Gin Soda
- Dates: Friday, November 20 – Monday, November 23 (holiday), 2026
- Hours: Friday, November 20, 11:00–20:00; Saturday, November 21 – Monday, November 23, 10:30–19:30
- Venues: JR Osakajo-koen Station plaza (“Osaka Castle Kenmin Netsuai Gourmet Zone”) / around the ytv headquarters (“ytv Kenmin Nigiwai Zone”)
- Admission: free (food and goods are paid; cashless payment only on site)
- Website (Japanese): https://www.ytv.co.jp/kenmin_fes/
- Note: Content may change or be cancelled without notice. Items are limited in quantity, and entry or purchases may be restricted when crowded. Menu photos are for illustration
