The Exciting Results of the 2nd NEXCO East Japan Highway Food Competition Announced

The Results of the 2nd NEXCO East Japan Highway Food Championship!

NEXCO East Japan, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, alongside NEXCO East Japan Area Tactics Co., Ltd., has announced the results of the final round of the 2nd NEXCO East Japan Highway Food Competition that began in January. The winner, recognized as "No.1 Highway Meal," is the dish "Dream Trip to Ibaraki – The Charm is Mikitty’s Signature – THANK YOU SO MUCH cholo," served at the Upward Line of the Tomobe Service Area on the Joban Expressway. This year, the event attracted a remarkable total of 22,673 votes from the public, showcasing 14 finalist dishes from various service areas and parking areas (referred to as SA/PA). Out of these, Tomobe SA clinched the victory with 2,259 votes, marking a consecutive win following last year's championship.

Winner’s Pride

Ibaraki Prefecture Representative - Tomobe SA (Upward Line)

Dish: Dream trip to Ibaraki – The charm is Mikitty’s signature – THANK YOU SO MUCH cholo
Price: 1,500 JPY

Many customers shared their delightful experiences regarding this dish:

- "The colors were beautiful, and it was visually extravagant!"
- "I loved the flavor variations with the eggs and yam! It kept the meal delicious until the end!"
- "I enjoyed tasting the local ingredients from Ibaraki in smaller portions, and it was absolutely delicious!"

To show appreciation for all the support during the competition held from April 24 until the end of August, a special event, the “Highway Food Thank-You Festival,” is set to take place.

NEXCO recognizes SA/PA as a 'showcase of regional specialties,' focusing on highlighting local gourmet foods and ingredients. As this event showcases the culinary diversity, NEXCO aims to construct a highway dining atmosphere that engages even more customers.

Competition Overview

[Road/Prefecture Preliminary Matches]

Period: October 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023

[Final Match]

Period: January 15, 2024 – March 15, 2024
Following the preliminary matches, 14 representative dishes will compete for the title of "No.1 Highway Meal". For full details regarding the awarded dishes and other finalists, refer to the supplementary materials.

Sale Period for the 2nd Highway Meal:

Available until August 31, 2024.

Runner-Up and Third Place

Runner-Up: Fukushima Prefecture Representative - Yotsukura PA on the Joban Expressway

Dish: Seafood Mixed Fry Set Meal
Price: 1,480 JPY
Customer Feedback: "Massive portions with a crispy exterior and fluffy filling; delicious all around!"

Third Place: Saitama Prefecture Representative - Hasuda SA on the Tohoku Expressway

Dish: Curry Carbonara Udon
Price: 1,000 JPY
Customer Feedback: "I'm glad I ordered both noodles and rice. The carbonara sauce was fantastic! Next time, I’m thinking about adding some curry gradually to enhance the flavor!"

For more details about the top three dishes and the special award winners, please review the additional documentation provided.

Meet the Highway Meal Ambassador: Hasshi (Yasushi Hashimoto)

With credentials as a meat specialist and a rice sommelier, Hasshi has journeyed through 15,000 restaurants nationwide on his own dime. Specializing in gourmet content on social media (with over 600,000 followers), he aims to energize Japan through food. He also serves as an advisor for regional revitalization, spreading awareness of local highway meals through NEXCO East Japan.

Details of the Highway Food Festival

Period of Festival:

From April 24, 2024 to August 31, 2024

How to Participate:

Customers who order the 2nd Highway Meal will receive a raffle ticket. The QR code on the ticket leads to the entry page where participants can win digital shopping vouchers worth 2,000 JPY or 200 JPY, applicable at the shopping corners of the SA/PA where the meal is offered.

Participating Locations:

A total of 132 selected SA/PA within the NEXCO East Japan area are selling highway meals. For further information, visit the special festival site.

During your next highway drive, make sure to stop by the SA/PA, as NEXCO East Japan promotes 'ENJOY! Taking a detour' to encourage everyone to enjoy the local cuisine and unique offerings at these stops.