#Japan #Tokyo #Japanese Sake #Hokkaido Fair #Sunshine City

Exciting Highlights from Hokkaido Food Fair 2026 in Sunshine City

The eagerly anticipated Hokkaido Food Fair 2026 will take place at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo from October 8th (Thursday) to October 12th (Monday). This annual event has gained popularity since its inception in 2018, welcoming over 30,000 visitors each year. This year marks its ninth iteration, showcasing the diverse flavors and culinary treasures that Hokkaido has to offer.

With 65 carefully selected vendors from Hokkaido, attendees can indulge in a variety of fresh seafood, mountain delicacies, and trending sweets. A highlight of this year's event is the debut of a sake tasting initiative, featuring a selection of the finest sake from the Hokkaido Sake Brewers Association. Guests can savor these regional specialties at one of Tokyo's largest dining spaces, accommodating approximately 400 seats for visitors to enjoy freshly prepared dishes.

Discover the Delights of Hokkaido Sake

One of the primary attractions at this year's fair is the sake tasting event, presenting a wonderful opportunity to experience the distinct characteristics of Hokkaido sake. With 17 breweries and 33 types of sake, alongside three sake-based liqueurs, guests can sample a variety of flavors, perfectly paired with food options available at the fair. The cost for tasters ranges between 200 to 600 yen per serving. For those looking to try multiple varieties, a shot ticket offering 11 samples for 1,000 yen is available for purchase.

The unique taste of Hokkaido sake is influenced by its cool climate and pure water sources, resulting in a crisp and refreshing profile. Many of Hokkaido's sake varieties are noted for their dry finish, which pairs excellently with local seafood dishes like sashimi and sushi, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Moreover, the fair will not only feature the traditional “dry taste” but also showcase rich and glossy “umakuchi” sakes born from the regional terroir, allowing attendees to appreciate the breadth of flavors through comparative tasting.

Spotlight on New Vendors

Among the 65 vendors, 12 are participating for the first time, bringing new experiences and unique products from Hokkaido's rich culinary landscape. Some notable items to look forward to include:

• - Bocca’s White Pudding: A delightful, egg-free milk pudding encased in a unique balloon shaped container, created from fresh milk sourced from local dairies.
• - cafe909’s Hokkaido Corn Shaved Ice: An indulgent dessert using the region’s sweet corn to create a rich syrup, served atop finely shaved ice.
• - Shiokaze’s Chepu Bun: A local specialty featuring salmon mixed with seasonal vegetables, all encased in a homemade bun.
• - Buta Ramen Kohta’s Butter Corn Ramen: A robust miso ramen dish featuring rich flavors, awarded in various culinary contests.
• - Utopia Shiretoko’s Salmon Roll: A coveted local dish, known for its depth of flavor from premium salmon and kelp sourced from Shiretoko’s coastal waters.

With several food stalls offering live cooking displays, visitors will have the chance to enjoy freshly prepared dishes in real-time, encompassing baking, steaming, and frying methods to tantalize the senses and highlight the gastronomic skills of Hokkaido chefs.

Event Details

• - Event Name: Hokkaido Food Fair 2026
• - Dates: October 8th (Thursday) to October 12th (Monday, public holiday). Free admission.
• - Times: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Oct 8-9), 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Oct 10-11), and 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Oct 12).
• - Location: Exhibition Hall A, World Import Mart Building 4F, Sunshine City.
• - Hosts: Sunshine City and the Hokkaido Chamber of Commerce.

Come discover the true essence of Hokkaido at this grand food fair, experiencing the culture, flavors, and culinary innovations that this beautiful region has to offer.

For further information, you can visit the official website of Sunshine City as well as the Hokkaido Sake Brewers Association.