#Japan #Sweets Koshien #Fukushima #広野町

Supporting Fukushima's Recovery Through a Sweet Contest

The town of Hirono in Fukushima Prefecture is hosting a nationwide contest called the "Sweets Koshien: Hirono Recipe Challenge". This event, co-organized by Hirono Town and Sankei Shimbun, is aimed at collecting creative dessert recipes that utilize local specialties, with a hopeful aim of supporting the recovery efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident. This initiative is aiming to showcase the deliciousness and charm of Hirono's local products by encouraging high school students, college students, and vocational students from all over the country to participate. This contest is an exciting spin-off from the well-known "Sweets Koshien: High School Pâtissier No. 1 Competition" and the "Sweets Koshien: Fukushima Challenge Cup" which features sweet recipes made with regional ingredients.

Hirono Town, with the catchphrase "A Town That Announces Spring in Tohoku," enjoys a temperate climate year-round, allowing for the flourishing cultivation of fruits like bananas and mandarins as well as rice. The theme for the recipe submissions is "Sweets Filled with the Charms of Hirono Town." Participants can submit their ideas in two categories: the "Fresh Sweets" category for items like parfaits, cakes, and more, and the "Baked Sweets" category for souvenirs such as madeleines, macarons, and cookies. Each recipe must incorporate at least one of the local theme ingredients.

The contest will feature notable pastry chefs as judges who will select the best recipes in each category. Winners will not only be awarded prizes but will also have the unique opportunity to collaboratively develop a dessert featuring Hirono's local products alongside the esteemed judges. These exclusive creations will be marketed at notable events in Tokyo.

The winners will also receive the honorary title of "Fukushima Hirono Town PR Ambassador". This role allows them to participate in events in Tokyo and a trip to visit Hirono Town, where they will engage in promoting the area's unique attractions and products. This is a call to all aspiring young chefs to channel their creativity into delicious sweets that can play a part in Hirono's revitalization efforts!

Submission for the contest is open until September 4th, 2026. For more details on how to enter, please visit the official website: Sweets Koshien Challenge.

Event Details

Name: Sweets Koshien: Hirono Recipe Challenge
Co-organizers: Hirono Town, Sankei Shimbun
Eligibility:

• - Students enrolled in high schools (regular, evening, and correspondence schools), colleges, or vocational schools as of April 2026
• - Individuals or pairs from the same institution
• - Willingness to act as "Fukushima Hirono Town PR Ambassadors"

Submission Period: July 1st to September 4th, 2026, by 5 PM
Judging and Announcement: September 2026
Awards: 1 winner per category (Fresh Sweets and Baked Sweets)
Prizes:

• - Right to develop sweets using local ingredients with a judging chef
• - Title of "Fukushima Hirono Town PR Ambassador"
• - Invitation to a visit to Hirono Town
• - Invitations to two events in Tokyo

Recipe Themes

Theme: "Sweets Filled with the Charms of Hirono Town"

• - Fresh Sweets Category:

Parfaits, shortcakes, tarts, crepes, pancakes, custards, cream puffs, etc.

• - Baked Sweets Category:

Madeleines, financiers, pound cakes, macarons, cookies, pies, Baumkuchen, etc.

Participants can submit their creations in either or both categories, provided the recipes feature at least one of the following theme ingredients:

• - Bananas, mandarins, mandarin juice, rice, rice flour, Japanese sake, salt

Recipe Requirements:

Each submission must be an original unpublished recipe that utilizes at least one of the theme ingredients. Judging criteria will focus on the following:

• - Creativity in highlighting the charms of the theme ingredients
• - Visual appeal that conveys the theme ingredients’ qualities
• - Innovative combinations of the theme ingredients

Judges

Daisuke Mori, Owner and Chef of EN VEDETTE

With experience training at prestigious locations such as Royce Dale and the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Daisuke Mori brings a wealth of expertise, having worked in esteemed French pâtisserie establishments. His accolades include numerous national and international awards.

Advisor: Yukiko Omori, French Pastry and Culinary Researcher

Yukiko Omori is known for her contributions to introducing French pastry traditions in Japan through various media outlets and teaching. She has notably authored a recent book featuring recipes inspired by Marie Antoinette's life.

Local Specialties of Hirono Town

Hirono Town is situated on the Pacific side of Fukushima Prefecture and enjoys a mild climate conducive to the cultivation of bananas, mandarins, and rice. Here are some of the standout local products:

• - Organic Bananas "Kirei": Developed as a symbol of recovery, these bananas are known for their high sugar content and creamy texture, owing to unique cultivation techniques post-disaster.

• - Mandarins and 100% Mandarin Juice: A significant number of mandarin trees contribute to this area’s identity, producing juicy mandarins that are processed into sweet and tangy juice.

• - Specially Cultivated Koshihikari Rice: Carefully grown without chemical fertilizers, the resulting rice is aromatic, shiny, and embodies the essence of Hirono’s agricultural efforts.

• - Junmai Sake "Oushu Hinode no Matsu": Made with local Koshihikari rice, this light yet flavored sake offers a familiar touch of sweetness and a refreshing finish.

• - Sea Salt "Chito-Hana": Handcrafted using seawater, this artisan salt showcases traditional production techniques, revealing the unique flavors of the ocean.

Join us in supporting Hirono's recovery through the delicious world of sweets and creative culinary pursuits!