From April 9th to 13th, 2025, Zadar will once again become the host of one of the most renowned cultural-gastronomic events on the Adriatic — Tuna, Sushi & Wine Festival. This impressive event, which for ten years has united the East and West through top-notch gastronomy, rich tradition and musical art, will once again revive the city square and the club spaces of the historic city center.

The festival that celebrates the connection between Dalmatia and Japan

What makes this festival unique is the unbreakable bond between the Zadar climate and Japanese culture. From its very beginnings, the event has been characterized as a merging of two worlds that meet through exquisite food, drink, art and human warmth. Special attention this year is also dedicated to the collaboration with Jelena Yamasaki, the long-time promoter of Croatian-Japanese exchange, who is once again joining the festival program, further emphasizing the authenticity of the entire project.

Top chefs and fusion cuisine as the main attraction

The highlight of this year's program will be a gala dinner held in the renowned space of Arsenal on April 11th. The main chef of the evening will be the celebrated Japanese masterchef Akiyuki Nasu, whose experience in blending Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine has delighted the guests of his restaurant in Okinawa for years. His dishes represent the perfect synergy of two cultures – combining Croatian products such as wine, spices and meat products with the techniques and philosophy of Japanese culinary art.

A special gastronomic spectacle awaits all visitors through an unforgettable Kaitai Show, a demonstration of the precise cutting of a large tuna, a skill that only a few Japanese masters perform with such precision and respect for the ingredient. This culinary performance will not only amaze those gathered, but also further highlight the importance of tuna in the culinary and economic offerings of the Zadar region.

Japanese artists delight visitors

In addition to gourmet pleasures, visitors will also be able to enjoy a cultural spectacle that includes musical and stage performances from Japan. Gospel singer Hikari Mukai and virtuoso musician Hitomi Uratani on the traditional instrument sanshin will perform a musical homage to the Croatian musical legend Oliver Dragojević through the program "Tribute to Oliver".

One of the most anticipated moments of the evening will be the performance of the samurai group Katanayaichi, which brings the true spirit of the Japanese warrior code through a performance full of dynamism, discipline and artistic expression. Their performances in Japan regularly fill theater halls, and the Croatian audience will be able to experience them firsthand.

Petar Zoranić Square as the epicenter of events

During all five days of the festival, the central city square will transform into a vibrant oasis of flavors and sounds. A large tent will host an all-day program, where local chefs and Japanese sushi masters will jointly present the richness of gastronomic possibilities. Sushi Corner will enable every visitor to taste the highest quality Japanese specialties prepared on the spot.

The program will run daily from 11 AM to 3 PM and again in the evening from 6 PM onwards. The evening hours are reserved for musical concerts by Croatian performers, among whom the sisters Husar, the renowned Zadar group Retrodukcija and the energetic Scifidelity Orchestra stand out, whose sound will further heat up the festival atmosphere. The program will also be joined by Japanese performers, bringing a touch of exoticism and authenticity to all evening performances.

The role of local producers and companies in the festival's success

The festival organizers emphasize the important role of local companies that each year make an immeasurable contribution to the quality of the offer. The Zadar region is known for tuna and white fish farming, and the key partners of the festival this year are the companies Pelagos Net Farma, Kali Tuna and Jadran Tuna – three leading names in the cultivation of top-notch Adriatic tuna.

One must also not forget the company Cromaris, which is a leader in sea bass and gilt-head bream farming, as well as Marikomerc, one of the most important Croatian distributors of fish and seafood delicacies. Their involvement in the festival further confirms how deeply this event is rooted in the local community and economy.

The wine story of the Zadar region

The festival will not be complete without wine, and for that ten of the most renowned wineries from Zadar County have taken care of presenting their best wines during the event. Tastings will be available throughout all festival days, and the combination of exquisite food and local wines will create an experience that will be remembered for a long time.

Tickets and reservations

For those who want to experience the gala dinner firsthand, two options are available. The ground floor area with buffet service offers tickets at a price of 35 euros per person. Those who desire an even more exclusive experience can reserve a table seat in the Arsenal gallery at a price of 80 euros per person.

Reservations can be made through central ticket sales, by sending an inquiry or by telephone contact. Since the interest is extremely high every year, the organizers recommend securing tickets in a timely manner so that all interested parties can enjoy this extraordinary gastronomic event.

Accommodation in Zadar

Given the increasing number of visitors from Croatia and abroad, Zadar has proven to be an ideal destination for this type of event. The city offers various accommodation options – from luxury hotels in the historic center, through charming boutique apartments near the sea, to affordable hostels for younger visitors. Festival visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy all the beauties that this historic Dalmatian city offers, including walks along the promenade, visits to churches and museums and unforgettable sunsets from the Sea Organ.