The “Italia Exhibition 2026″ will take place at the Isetan Shinjuku store main building 6th-floor exhibition hall from Wednesday, September 16, to Tuesday, September 22, 2026, which is a national holiday, according to event organizers. The annual showcase centers on the theme of “Legacy,” highlighting the food culture and traditions passed down through generations in Italy alongside the evolution of Italian cuisine in Japan, featuring over 40 food brands and 14 wine brands.
Legacy and Tradition at Isetan Shinjuku
Visitors can experience a culinary tour of Italy without leaving Tokyo. According to event details, the exhibition brings together offerings from Rome, Milan, Sicily, and Tuscany. Shoppers will find eat-in chef counters, Venetian-style barcaro small plates, delis, cheeses, and dolci spread across the venue floor. The exhibition opens to the public on September 16, following an exclusive preview day for M.I.
Roman Pizza and Milanese Pasta Highlights
Among the featured vendors, the restaurant Toncini will serve slice-and-share Roman-style pizzas prepared live, according to event announcements. Their menu includes a “Smoked Saba Marinara” priced at 1,026 yen per slice, featuring chunks of Italian San Marzano DOP tomatoes paired with smoked mackerel. They will also offer an “Ezo Venica Sausage and Porcini” pizza for 1,188 yen per slice, combining Hokkaido-sourced venison sausage with porcini mushrooms. For Milanese flavors, the restaurant Frangente Milano will offer a mixed pasta dish priced at 2,801 yen per single serving, featuring short pasta varieties combined with white bean cream, mussels, squid, and tenderly braised beef Achilles tendon. Organizers note that this dish is limited to 50 servings per day.
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Pro Tip: Several popular items, including limited-edition pasta dishes and artisanal sweets, carry daily sales caps. Visiting during off-peak hours right after the venue opens at 10:15 AM for eat-in service can help secure high-demand plates.
Venetian Barcaro Style and Wine Tasting
The exhibition introduces an Isetan Shinjuku limited-time pop-up bar called “Mio Bar Coccinella d’Oro,” bringing the Venetian barcaro culture to Tokyo. According to event disclosures, the pop-up serves regional Italian small plates crafted from Japanese ingredients. Their antipasto misto assortment costs 1,980 yen per serving, with availability restricted to 20 orders per day. Additionally, a standing bar will operate within the hall, allowing visitors to sample and compare distinct Italian wines by the region without requiring reservations.
Sicilian Sweets and Artisanal Desserts
Dessert enthusiasts will find regional Italian sweets, including items from Siciliano, which specializes in almond-based pastries. According to the event schedule, Siciliano will offer a ravioli-style “Pasta di Mandorla” stuffed with a rich apricot paste—inspired by the southern Italian sweet “Cotognata”—priced at 580 yen each, limited to 50 servings daily. They will also sell standard Sicilian almond pasta di mandorla pieces starting from 209 yen between September 15 and September 18. Other sweet offerings include the Cheese Specialty Store Lanmas’s “Salt Caramel Tiramisu” for 1,501 yen, which layers mascarpone and ricotta cheeses with hazelnut liqueur, caramel, and a savory dusting of Pecorino Romano cheese. Babbi will also feature its “Tre Volte Nocciola” hazelnut gelato at 880 yen, topped with Piedmont hazelnuts and smooth roasted sauce.
Did You Know? The term “barcaro” refers to traditional Venetian wine bars where locals gather to drink wine and eat small, tapas-like plates called cicheti.
Event Details and Schedule
- Dates: September 16 (Wednesday) to September 22 (Tuesday, National Holiday), 2026. September 15 is reserved for M.I. Card members.
- Location: Isetan Shinjuku Store, Main Building 6th Floor Exhibition Hall (3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo).
- Eat-in Hours: 10:15 AM to 8:00 PM (Final day closes at 6:00 PM; last orders 30 minutes prior to closing).
- Bar Hours: 11:00 AM to 7:45 PM (Last orders at 7:30 PM; final day closes at 5:45 PM with last orders at 5:30 PM). Reservations are not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Italia Exhibition 2026 open to the general public?
The exhibition opens to the general public on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and runs through Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Tuesday, September 15, is restricted to M.I. Card members.
Can I make reservations for the standing wine bar?
No, reservations are not accepted for the bar area inside the venue.
Are all menu items available throughout the entire event?
Some items feature daily quantity limits, such as the Frangente Milano pasta limited to 50 servings per day and the Mio Bar antipasto misto limited to 20 servings per day. Furthermore, certain Sicilian almond pastries from Siciliano are only sold from September 15 to September 18.
For more information or inquiries regarding the event, contact the Isetan Shinjuku main switchboard at 03-3352-1111.
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