Written by Aarohi Narain
Portugal Festa brings one of Japan’s oldest European connections into present-day Shimokitazawa.
What happens?
Portugal was among the first European countries to leave a lasting imprint on Japan, and traces of that early exchange still linger in everyday things, from castella to sugar candy. This one-day festival leans into the more convivial side of that relationship, with Portuguese food, wine, crafts, art, music, and more.
There will be workshops, cooking sessions, and live performances, including a fado concert in the afternoon and a free evening show by Dino D’Santiago and Branko, two big names in contemporary Portuguese music. Between those, you can browse tiles — the famous blue-accented azulejos you’ll find everywhere from Goa to Macau — and other handicrafts, dip into Portuguese wine, and eat your way around traditional baked goods and tinned fish or conservas.
Schedule
Portugal Festa 2026 takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Program highlights include:
- 11:30, 12:30, 13:30: Portuguese tile workshops (45 minutes, reservation required)
- 14:30, 15:30: Portuguese cooking workshops with Elena Dinis (45 minutes, reservation required)
- 16:00: Free fado concert
- 17:30: Free live concert by Dino D’Santiago and Branko
Tickets
Entry is free, though some workshops require advance registration and a separate fee. The tile workshop costs ¥1,500 per person, while the cooking workshop costs ¥2,000 per person.
How to get there
The event takes place at Adrift Shimokitazawa. It is a short walk from Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Line and Keio Inokashira Line.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
