Few foods in Japan invite as much devotion—and debate—as gyoza, and the Craft Gyoza Festival leans fully into that obsession.

If you're a gyoza lover who will be in the Tokyo area around April and in the Osaka area in early May, be sure to stop by the Craft Gyoza Fes. The event is set to include a variety of gyoza types for attendees to purchase, including wagyu-filled gyoza from different prefectures outside Tokyo and Osaka. The full menu lineup will be available on the official event website soon.

The festival is huge. You can try classic pan-fried gyoza sit alongside boiled, steamed, and deep-fried variations, while more playful interpretations—often dubbed “neo gyoza”—push the boundaries with unexpected flavors and combinations. You might move from a garlic-heavy staple to something filled with seafood, herbs, or even cheese, all within a few steps. The format encourages grazing, sharing, and comparing, turning each visit into a kind of edible tour across regional and contemporary styles.

Admission to the event itself is free, but bring yen if you plan on doing some gyoza sampling.