#Japan #Tokyo #Honey Festival #Honey Contest #Honey Meister

The 9th Honey of the Year Contest: Finding Japan's Best Honey

The anticipation builds as the 9th edition of the Honey of the Year Contest approaches its thrilling finish. Organized by the Japan Honey Meister Association, this event celebrates the finest honey, coinciding perfectly with Honey Day on August 3. This year, a total of 171 honey entries were submitted, showcasing the diversity and richness of honey in Japan and around the world. The entries were categorized into three sections: domestic, overseas, and Japanese bee honey, with 91, 54, and 26 entries respectively.

Finalists Announced

After rigorous preliminary rounds, three outstanding honeys from each category have been shortlisted for the final tasting. The domestic finalists include:

• - Posumitsu (Summer Solstice Honey) from Kanagawa Prefecture, created by Japan Post's Aobadai Post Office.
• - Airport Honey from Shimane Prefecture, produced by Iwami Airport Terminal Building Co., Ltd.
• - Marucho Farm Apple Honey from Fukushima Prefecture, crafted by Marucho Farm Co., Ltd.

For the overseas category:

• - HONEY ViVa Avocado Honey from Taiwan, produced by Toyoen Co., Ltd.
• - Longan Honey from Taiwan, created by Nana Honey Company.
• - Tasmanian Christmas Bush Honey from Australia, supplied by Fuji Trading LLC.

Lastly, the Japanese bee honey finalists include:

• - Takaoko Spring Honey from Tokyo, produced by Takaoy Honey Farm.
• - Aki no Kuni Satoyama Drip from Hiroshima Prefecture, crafted by Hiraoki Honey.
• - Iwami’s Pure Japanese Bee Honey from Shimane Prefecture, supplied by Iwami To.

These finalists will be showcased at the Honey Festival 2026, held at the Ginza Phoenix Plaza in Tokyo on July 25 and 26, where attendees will get the chance to vote for their favorites.

Honey Festival 2026 Details

The Honey Festival is a highlight for honey lovers, inviting 160 visitors each day to sample the finalists across all categories. Participants will receive a timed ticket to partake in tastings, and each visitor can cast their vote for the best honey from their favorite category. This interactive voting process will determine the Visitor’s Special Award, recognizing the public’s favorite honey.

Moreover, festival attendees can purchase some of the featured honeys directly from the event, enhancing their experience by taking home a sweet piece of the event. However, it’s important to note that availability is limited, particularly for the consigned products which will only be sold on weekends.

The Final Judging Process

The final tasting, scheduled for early July, will be conducted by a panel of esteemed judges, including culinary experts and notable figures in the honey industry. They will assess each honey based on aroma, flavor, and aftertaste. The top honey from each category will be declared the Best Honey of the Year, which will be unveiled on August 3 along with the Visitor’s Special Award.

Contest Overview

The Honey of the Year Contest is open to honeys available for consumer purchase in Japan, and entries are submitted by certified honey professionals and producers. With an emphasis on blind tasting, the integrity and authenticity of this contest shine, ensuring that every sample is judged solely on quality and taste.

About the Japan Honey Meister Association

Established in 2012, the Japan Honey Meister Association is dedicated to the promotion of honey culture, offering various certifications and workshops on honey appreciation. The association has been instrumental in raising awareness about honey's benefits for culinary, health, and beauty applications. Since its inception, the Honey Festival has successfully gathered enthusiasts and professionals alike, now embarking on its 11th year.

Join us to celebrate the multifaceted world of honey and discover the remarkable flavors from the 2026 Honey of the Year contest!