The Great Kyushu Exhibition at Keio Department Store, Shinjuku Branch

A Culinary Journey Through Kyushu: 80 Vendors Strong!

From Friday, March 7th to Thursday, March 13th, 2025, Keio Department Store in Shinjuku will host the "Grand Kyushu Exhibition" on the 7th floor. This event offers a deep dive into the vibrant culinary landscape of Kyushu, an island renowned for its warm climate, stunning natural beauty, World Heritage sites, rejuvenating hot springs, and, of course, its exceptional food. The exhibition brings together 80 vendors, showcasing the diverse flavors of Kyushu’s seven prefectures, with a special spotlight on Saga Prefecture.

Why Kyushu? For those unfamiliar, Kyushu offers a unique blend of experiences, attracting visitors from across the globe. Each prefecture boasts its own distinct character and culinary specialties, making it a region ripe for exploration. This exhibition provides a convenient opportunity to sample a wide array of these delicacies without having to travel the length of the island.

This Year’s Highlight: Saga Prefecture

Saga Prefecture takes center stage, presenting a selection of its most celebrated culinary offerings. Attendees can indulge in:

Saga-ya (Eat-in): "Saga Beef Sukiyaki Set" (with vegetables, egg, and rice, per person). Choose between Loin (¥2,530) or Lean (¥1,980) cuts of premium Saga beef. The Loin offers fine marbling and tenderness, while the Lean provides a firmer texture and showcases the beef’s natural flavor.
Kanesue Kitchen (First Appearance, Demonstration): "Saga Beef Meat Bun" (¥540 each). A collaborative creation with students from Ozora High School Saga Campus, these buns feature Saga beef, Saga Prefecture lotus root, and domestic onions, resulting in a juicy and flavorful snack.
Arita Terrace: "Arita-yaki Curry Roux <Pompompurin>" (2 pieces, ¥3,500). This features the curry roux from the famous Arita ekiben, "Arita-yaki Curry," presented in a charming Pompompurin-designed soba choko (small bowl).
Karaage Dondon (First Appearance, In-store Cooking): "Dondon Fried Chicken Bone-in" (¥800 each). This fried chicken, made with Arita Town’s brand chicken "Aritadori," is known for its plump texture and lack of odor, thanks to a diet rich in vegetable protein. The chicken is seasoned with original spices, ensuring a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Mizutaya (First Appearance, Demonstration): "Anka Monaka" and "An-Butter Monaka" (¥297 each, Keio Department Store Exclusive). This long-established Japanese confectionery store presents two unique monaka creations for the exhibition. "Anka Monaka" combines sweet bean paste with cream cheese and Takahashi-zuke narazuke (pickled melon), while "An-Butter Monaka" features a delightful combination of sweet bean paste and butter.
Tora&Shika (First Appearance): "Pudding Topped with Buckwheat Seeds" (¥486 each). A sweets cafe specializing in home-grown buckwheat flour offers this smooth pudding, crafted with carefully selected eggs, fresh cream, and milk. The included roasted buckwheat seeds and Miyakojima salt provide a textural and flavorful contrast.

Beyond Saga: A Kyushu Culinary Panorama

The exhibition extends far beyond Saga Prefecture, offering a comprehensive taste of Kyushu’s diverse culinary scene.

Eat-in Delights:

Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin (Fukuoka Prefecture, First Appearance): This popular ramen shop, established in 2003, serves its signature ramen with a clean-tasting soup made from domestic pork bones, Saga Prefecture’s "Aritadori" chicken, and Kyushu aromatic vegetables. Options include "Ramen with Soft-boiled Egg" (¥1,020) and "Chashu-men" (¥1,090).
Tenmonkan Mujaki (Kagoshima Prefecture): The originator of Kagoshima’s famous "Shirokuma" shaved ice, this long-established store presents a Keio Department Store exclusive: "Kagoshima Prefecture Melon Shirokuma" (¥1,320, limited to 50 servings per day). This refreshing treat features fluffy shaved ice topped with homemade milk, syrup, and generous portions of Kagoshima Prefecture melon.
Uomasa (Fukuoka Prefecture, First Appearance): This popular seafood shop, directly managed by a fish store, offers a "Seafood Morimori Don" (¥2,200) featuring Kyushu-produced yellowtail, mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and a homemade sesame dressing. Also available is their signature "Tai no Aradaki Teishoku" (sea bream simmered in soy sauce set meal) for ¥1,210.

Local Cuisine and Famous Confections:

Umegae-so (Nagasaki Prefecture, First Appearance, Demonstration): "Omura Sushi" (¥820 per box). This local dish, dating back to the Warring States period, features sweetened vinegared rice layered with seasoned vegetables (carrots, burdock root, dried gourd shavings, shiitake mushrooms, and kamaboko), topped with shredded egg.
Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Juubunsto (Miyazaki Prefecture, First Appearance, Demonstration): "3 Kinds of Beef Yokubari Bento <Lean Steak, Beef Tongue, Wagyu Kalbi>" (¥2,916). This bento box showcases Miyazaki Prefecture black-haired Wagyu beef in three forms: lean steak, beef tongue, and kalbi marinated in a homemade sauce.
Minamitake Unagi Kakou (Kagoshima Prefecture, First Appearance, Demonstration): "Unagi Seiro Mushi Bento" (¥2,000). This dish features Kagoshima Prefecture eel, grilled until fragrant, and steamed with rice mixed with glutinous rice, resulting in a chewy rice texture and soft, flavorful eel.
Yamatoya (Oita Prefecture, In-store Cooking): "Toriten" (¥540 per 100g). Oita Prefecture’s local specialty, Toriten, is chicken seasoned and fried in tempura batter. It’s known for its crispy batter and juicy meat, and is best enjoyed with mustard or ponzu sauce.
Confectionery Workshop Sorairo (Miyazaki Prefecture, First Appearance): "Ohisama Cheese Manju" (¥180 each). This shop offers an arranged version of Miyazaki Prefecture’s local sweet, "Cheese Manju," using Kyushu flour and butter, filled with rich cream cheese, and baked until crisp.
Fukudaya Kumamoto Waguri-an (Kumamoto Prefecture, First Appearance): "Kurizuki" (6 pieces, ¥1,360) and "Kurisenri" (5 pieces, ¥729). This Japanese confectionery store, founded in 1948, specializes in sweets using Kumamoto Prefecture waguri (Japanese chestnut). "Kurizuki" is made solely with chestnuts, sugar, and starch syrup, while "Kurisenri" is a moistly baked Mont Blanc confection.

Live Demonstrations: Popular Sweets and Gourmet Foods

Witness the creation of these delectable treats:

Kasanoya (Fukuoka Prefecture): "Umegae Mochi" (5 pieces, ¥750) and "Yomogi Umegae Mochi" (5 pieces, ¥750, limited to one per person, 50 servings per day).
Shimokubo Isao Seicha (Kagoshima Prefecture): "Matcha Soft Cream" (¥500 each).
Ice & Soft Cream Development Workshop C&G (Miyazaki Prefecture): "Miyazaki Prefecture Mango Mini Parfait" (¥1,100, limited to 50 servings per day).
Fukumimiya (Nagasaki Prefecture): "Kakuni Shippoku Manju" (¥346 each).
Bantenro (Oita Prefecture): "Hita Yakisoba" (¥864 per serving).
Gyoza no Mabashi (Miyazaki Prefecture): "Mabashi’s Mochi Mochi Gyoza" (10 pieces, ¥972).

Important Notes:

Last order for eat-in is one hour before closing each day.
All images are for illustrative purposes only.

Basic Information:

Location/Nearest Station: Keio Department Store Shinjuku, Shinjuku Station (1-minute walk)
Address: 〒160-8321, 1-1-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (MAP)
Venue: Keio Department Store Shinjuku 7th Floor Event Space
Date: March 7th (Fri) – March 13th (Thu), 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closes at 5:00 PM on the last day)
Other URL: Keio Department Store Shinjuku

Published content is subject to change. Please check the venue’s or organizer’s official website for the latest information.

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What is Saga Prefecture?

Saga Prefecture is located on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is known for its history, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage. Positioned between the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea, Saga features a variety of landscapes, including coastlines and hills. The region is particularly noted for its traditional crafts, especially ceramics like Arita and Imari porcelain, which have been valued for centuries.

The prefecture is also recognized for its agricultural products and seafood. Saga beef, a type of wagyu, is known for its marbling and flavor. The area also produces fresh fruits, such as Saga strawberries and mandarins, which are popular across Japan.

Saga hosts several festivals and historical sites, including shrines and castles that reflect Japan’s history. The Saga International Balloon Fiesta, a major hot air balloon festival in Asia, draws visitors globally.

In summary, Saga Prefecture offers a blend of tradition and natural beauty, providing a genuine experience of Japan.