#Japan #Sakai #Sakai City #Gastronomy Award #Sweet Shrimp

Sakai City's Gastronomic Celebration: A Feast Awaits!

Sakai City, located in Fukui Prefecture, has proudly been awarded the first-ever '2025 Gastronomy City Award' in Japan. This prestigious recognition celebrates the vibrant local food culture and the efforts to build a community around culinary excellence. To commemorate this achievement, Sakai City is rolling out a selection of exclusive dishes that fans of local cuisine simply cannot miss, available from July 18 to August 10, 2025, at 'Fukui Minami Aoyama 291' and 'Fukui, Bōyōrō Aoyama Store'.

Renowned for its premium Echizen crab, Sakai City also boasts the beloved sweet shrimp, known locally as 'ama ebi.' Harvested from the rich waters off the coast of Mikuni Port, these shrimp thrive where cold and warm currents converge, creating a fertile ground for high-quality plankton that the shrimp feed on, resulting in their famously sweet flavor.

This special event features a range of delectable dishes centered around sweet shrimp, including the 'Ama Ebi Tenkomori Don' and the 'Sweet Shrimp Curry.' These offerings highlight the unique culinary heritage of Sakai City, offering a perfect opportunity for visitors to indulge in tastes that can only be found here.

Details of the Limited-time Menu

• - Available at: Fukui Minami Aoyama 291 Cultive291 (Café) / Fukui, Bōyōrō Aoyama Store (Note: Menu selection varies by location)
• - Duration: July 18 (Fri) to August 10 (Sun), 2025

Store Information

• - Fukui, Bōyōrō Aoyama Store

Address: 5-4-41 Minami Aoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Graceria Aoyama 1F
Phone: 03-6427-2918
Business Hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00 (Last Order 14:30), Dinner 17:30-22:00 (Food Last Order 21:00, Beverage Last Order 21:30)
Closed: Every Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday is only for dinner service.

• - Fukui Minami Aoyama 291_Cultive291

Address: 5-4-41 Minami Aoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, inside Graceria Aoyama 1F
Phone: Cultive291 (Café) 03-5778-0291
Business Hours: Cultive291 (Café) 9:00-21:00 (Food Last Order 20:15, Beverage Last Order 20:30)
Closed: Irregular (excluding year-end and New Year) - please check our website for updates on temporary closures due to reserved events.

Experience the Flavors of Sakai City through Social Media

To broaden awareness of Sakai City, recognized as a culinary gem at the '2025 Gastronomy City Award,' we are also launching an Instagram campaign. This initiative encourages both residents and visitors to engage with the local food scene:

Campaign Periods:

• - Phase 1: July 16 (Wed) - August 31 (Sun)
• - Phase 2: November 6 (Thu) - December 31 (Wed)

Campaign Activities:

1. Follow & Like Campaign: Participants who follow and like our campaign posts on the official Sakai City Instagram (@smile_sakai) will be entered to win local gastronomic rewards.
2. 'My Recommended Dish from Sakai City' Submission Campaign: Share your favorite dish featuring ingredients from Sakai City on your Instagram account, tagging @smile_sakai. Use hashtags #美食のまち坂井 (#GastronomyTownSakai) and #美食都市アワード (#GastronomyCityAward) for a chance to win local delicacies.

Prizes Include:

• - Follow & Like Campaign: 5 winners of premium Koshihikari rice (5 kg each) across both phases.
• - Submission Campaign: Phase 1 offers a prize of Wakasagyu beef worth 10,000 yen for 3 winners, while Phase 2 features a pair accommodation voucher for a ryokan with an Echizen crab full course for 1 winner.

Winning notifications will be sent via direct message (DM). Please ensure you provide a Japanese domestic address for prize delivery!

The Distinctive Flavors of Sakai City

Sakai City is celebrated not just for its scenic views, such as the famed Tojinbo cliffs but also for its rich seafood, including the illustrious Echizen crab and locally sourced sweet shrimp. As Japan's fourth largest producer of sweet shrimp, the majority of which is processed at Mikuni Port, visitors relish the unique opportunity to savor these delectable offerings fresh from the sea. The city's commitment to promoting local gastronomy extends to its health initiatives, emphasizing local ingredients in school meals and fostering an appreciation for culinary traditions among youth.

With its gastronomic offerings that captivate both locals and visitors alike, Sakai City stands as a testament to the power of food in community building and cultural recognition. Celebrate the flavors of Sakai City and experience its rich food heritage today!