A Unique University Festival Where I Ate Crayfish – Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

What Is the University Festival at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology?

The annual university festival at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, called Nōkōsai, is held every autumn. Unlike typical school festivals with takoyaki stands and stage shows, this one offers dishes made with fried crickets and crayfish paella — food you’d never see at a regular festival. That alone made me want to visit.

How to Attend Nōkōsai

Depending on the year, advance reservations may be required. After arriving, I simply showed my QR code and entered smoothly despite the crowd. While waiting, I noticed something amusing — Fuchu Prison is nearby, and some of the equipment on-site was apparently borrowed from there.

Atmosphere at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

The vibe was the complete opposite of a loud party festival. Most students looked serious and focused. When I talked to them, many eagerly explained their research — often very niche topics. I was impressed that so many had such a clear academic direction even before university. Of course, this may vary depending on the generation.

Trying Crickets at the Festival

It was my first time eating crickets, so I had no idea which flavor to choose. When I asked, they recommended soy sauce. Although I’m normally terrified of insects, curiosity won — and surprisingly, they tasted good, like crispy fried shrimp. It weirdly boosted my confidence: maybe I could survive a future food crisis.

Crayfish Paella

Visually, it was far less intimidating than the crickets, and the flavor was completely new to me. It turned out to be delicious — like eating a tiny lobster. Depending on the seasoning, I feel like it could work in many dishes: fried rice, pasta, and more.

The Hunting Club

The university has sports clubs like tennis and football, but it was my first time hearing about a Hunting Club. They displayed wild animals they had hunted and carefully prepared, and they explained the details of their activities. Compared to typical student clubs, joining a hunting club would definitely become a lifelong conversation piece — if I met someone from the club, I’d absolutely ask them a thousand questions.

They also sold game dishes at the festival. I tried venison, which was surprisingly easy to enjoy. Being able to casually try game meat while learning about the process was great.

Souvenir Corner

There were many unusual items, including specimens you’d never normally see. I hesitated for a long time but ended up buying shichimi (a Japanese spice mix). The selection ranged from collectible items to practical everyday goods.

Can You Enjoy It Even If You Never Went to University?

I graduated high school and then went straight into banking and world travel — I basically lived a life unrelated to university.
Yet I often visit university festivals.
Among them, Nōkōsai was a truly unique experience.
For high school students unsure about their future path, I think this festival offers great inspiration.
Sometimes, visiting an event like this can open unexpected doors.

Impressions

Trying uncommon foods and seeing things you rarely encounter — experiences like this are hard to find elsewhere. It was genuinely fascinating. Talking with students, I also learned that many of them — depending on the year — didn’t choose the university just to join major companies, but to dive deeply into highly specialized fields. Seeing that up close was eye-opening and refreshing.