Written by Aarohi Narain
Eat pasta and be merry.
What happens?
Takasaki, located in Gunma, is celebrated as a hub for Japanese-Italian pasta. In fact, it’s affectionately called the City of Pasta.
So, it’s no surprise that Takasaki hosts the King of Pasta each November. This event brings together local restaurants in a friendly competition to win over visitors with creative and delicious pasta dishes.
Expect a smorgasbord of unique pasta creations and cooking demos — so you can recreate the magic at home, or at least attempt to.
How to get there
From Tokyo, you can easily reach Takasaki by taking the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen or Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, which gets you there in about 50 minutes.
Alternatively, the JR Takasaki Line is cheaper at around ¥1,980 and offers a more leisurely option, taking approximately 2 hours.
Once you arrive, the festival venue is about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.