#Japan #Tokyo #Foodison #Katsu #Kesennuma

Celebrate the Kesennuma Katsu Festival in Tokyo!

From September 12 to October 31, 2025, Tokyo will play host to the highly anticipated Kesennuma Katsu Festival. Organized by Foodison Inc., this event brings together local consumers and seafood enthusiasts to celebrate the exquisite taste of Kesennuma's skipjack tuna. The festival aims to not only promote delicious seafood but also enhance the recognition of the Kesennuma brand and develop a new distribution system connecting the greater Tokyo area with the coastal source.

Festival Background and Objectives

While skipjack tuna is often synonymous with regions like Tosa and Yaizu, the recognition of Kesennuma's skipjack tuna is still growing. Kesennuma has been an iconic fishing town, boasting the highest catch of fresh skipjack tuna in Japan for 28 consecutive years. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, it resumed production within three months, maintaining its record. This year's festival coincides with the 350th anniversary of the tamezuri method, a traditional fishing technique that has contributed greatly to the development of skipjack tuna fishing in Kesennuma.

By hosting the festival, we aim to reintroduce the authentic flavors of Kesennuma skipjack tuna to urban consumers, enhancing its brand value and broadening its audience. Moreover, we are focusing on establishing a new fresh seafood distribution framework that ensures consumers can access freshly caught tuna directly from the ocean to their dining tables, with transparency about its journey.

New Distribution Initiatives

Skipjack tuna requires careful handling to maintain its freshness. Our conventional distribution methods often lack transparency, leaving consumers wondering about the quality of the tuna they receive. To combat this, the Kesennuma Katsu Festival will implement the following initiatives to enhance visibility:

• - Sharing Freshness Information: Consumers will receive detailed insights about when and how the skipjack tuna was caught.
• - Identifying Value-Added Information: We will determine which factors contribute to enhancing the value of skipjack tuna distribution.

Through these initiatives, our goal is to foster the most effective distribution system that ensures consumers get Kesennuma’s tuna at its most delicious state.

Festival Overview

• - Event Dates: September 12 (Friday) - October 31 (Friday), 2025
• - Locations: The festival will take place across six Sakana Bacca stores located in Nakameguro, Nakanobu, Todoroki, Gotanda, Gransta Tokyo, and Gransta Marunouchi, as well as select retail and dining establishments across Tokyo. View participating locations here.
• - Event Highlights:

- Sale of Kesennuma skipjack tuna in Sakana Bacca and partner retail locations.
- Special seasonal menus featuring Kesennuma skipjack tuna offered at various restaurants.
- Fresh tuna transported the same day from local waters using the Hako-byun service from JR East, ensuring that consumers taste the tuna just hours after it was caught.

City of Kesennuma's Commitment

Mayor Sugawara of Kesennuma underscores the city’s pride in being the top producer of freshly caught skipjack tuna for 28 years. With the introduction of the tamezuri fishing method from Kishu 350 years ago, the community has thrived, maintaining its historical legacy in fishery. During this festival, we aim to promote the remarkable freshness of our tuna, transporting it directly to consumers in Tokyo, so they can experience the flavor just as if they were dining at the source.

A Word from Foodison's Director

At Foodison, we believe this festival is a golden opportunity for urban audiences to connect with the authentic flavors of Kesennuma skipjack tuna. This initiative is not only about delivering a delicious product but also about adding value by providing consumers with information about the freshness and journey of their seafood.

We invite all seafood lovers to immerse themselves in the true delight of Kesennuma skipjack tuna where every bite speaks of its robust history and unparalleled quality. Don't miss the chance to taste the best of what the ocean offers this fall! Enjoy the festival and celebrate with us!

For more information, visit the festival’s official website: Kesennuma Katsu Festival.