Discover the Joy of Eating through Onigiri: An Online Culinary Event

Experience the Joy of Eating through Onigiri

On September 23, 2026, an exciting online event titled "旅するおむすび屋×おにぎりgood『食べることは生きる喜び』 will take place from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Hosted by the Pal System Consumers Cooperative Union, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, this virtual gathering aims to highlight Japan's diverse culinary landscape through the beloved rice balls, known as onigiri.

Kana Sugamoto, a passionate advocate for food culture and the face behind "旅するおむすび屋" (The Traveling Onigiri Shop), will serve as the event's speaker. With a mission to deliver the essence of local food cultures and producers through onigiri, Kana will showcase various regional onigiri recipes during the live demonstration. This event emphasizes the importance of human connection through food and values the act of eating as a celebration of life.

Celebrating Local Onigiri

Participants will be treated to firsthand experience as Kana shares her travels across Japan's 47 prefectures, recounting adventures and stories tied to the unique onigiri she has encountered. An engaging segment will focus on a survey conducted prior to the event, where people submitted their favorite regional onigiri recipes. The top-ranked dish from the survey—either Chiba's 'Gonju Onigiri', Kumamoto's 'Birin Meshi', or Tottori's 'Itadaki'—will be prepared live during the broadcast.

The Joy of Eating

Kana Sugamoto has a unique personal journey, having overcome anorexia during her teenage years. This experience has fueled her passion for food education and product development, allowing her to spread the message that eating is a joyful part of living. As part of her presentation, attendees will reflect on the importance of self-love and human connection through the lens of food. This valuable dialogue promotes nurturing relationships with oneself and others.

Event Details

- Date: September 23, 2026 (National Holiday)
- Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (tentative)
- Format: Live-streaming on YouTube (archived for registered participants)
- Speaker: Kana Sugamoto (Founder of The Traveling Onigiri Shop)
- Participation Fee: Free
- Registration Deadline: September 13, 2026, by 11:59 PM
- More Information and Registration: Event Registration

About Kana Sugamoto

Kana Sugamoto hails from Fukuoka Prefecture and has an impressive background, having served as the deputy editor of "Kumamoto Taberu Tsushin". In 2017, she launched The Traveling Onigiri Shop, eventually becoming independent in 2019. Inspired by her own experiences with anorexia, she strives to communicate that eating brings joy. Kana's endeavors extend to food education, product development, and public relations. She has even been featured in a documentary film about her journey. Her published work, "日本のおむすび 47都道府県を旅して見つけた毎日楽しめるレシピ94", showcases recipes from across Japan.

Promoting a Love for Rice

The Pal System has been promoting the initiative "おにぎりgood" since April 2026, aimed at encouraging steady rice consumption by inspiring people to create and enjoy onigiri. Through this fun and tasty initiative, they hope to support local rice producers, advocate for sustainable agricultural practices, and improve Japan's food self-sufficiency rate.

By hosting this event, the Pal System aims to highlight the charms of onigiri, engaging both users and consumers alike in the delicious world of rice balls.

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Company Information:

- Location: 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo
- Chairman: Atsuyuki Shibusawa
- Total Revenue: 268.96 billion JPY (as of March 2026)
- Member Count: 1.77 million members
- Participating Cooperatives: Include Pal System Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, and more.