Discover Delicious Delights at Japan’s Largest Cheese Event: Cheese Fun! Fan! Fun!

Calling all cheese lovers! Get ready to embark on a cheesy adventure at Japan’s largest cheese event, Cheese Fun! Fan! Fun!, taking place at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall. With over 5,000 attendees in 2022, this year’s event promises an even bigger and better celebration of all things cheese🧀.

Double the Cheese, Double the Fun!

This year, the event expands to include two exciting happenings: the Japan Cheese Awards 2024 and the 9th Selection of 100 Distinguished Japanese Cheeses. This means more opportunities to sample, savor, and discover your new favorite domestic cheese.

The Japan Cheese Awards 2024 features 385 entries from 122 cheesemakers across 34 prefectures, including 25 first-time participants. A new "Whey Category" has been added to recognize the growing importance of whey utilization. At the 9th Selection of 100 Distinguished Japanese Cheeses, you’ll have the chance to taste a curated selection of rare domestic cheeses and chat with the passionate cheesemakers themselves.

Explore the "Fun・Fan・Fun" Areas

This year’s theme, "The Appeal and Enjoyment of Domestic Cheeses from All Over Japan," comes to life through three distinct "Fun・Fan・Fun" areas. Explore a wide variety of cheeses, meet the artisans behind them, and discover new ways to enjoy these delicious creations.

Event Details

Venue: Prism Hall

Nearest Stations: Korakuen Station, Kasuga Station, Suidobashi Station

Address: 〒112-8575 Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Koraku 1-3-61 (MAP)

Dates: October 19th (Sat) – October 20th (Sun), 2024

Time: 11:00 – 17:00

"Fun! Area for Eating and Enjoying" Sessions:

• October 19th (Sat): Part 1: 11:30 – 13:30; Part 2: 15:00 – 17:00
• October 20th (Sun): Part 1: 11:00 – 13:00; Part 2: 14:00 – 16:00

Price:

• Admission: Free
• "Fun! Area for Eating and Enjoying": Advance Ticket: 1900 yen, Same-day Ticket: 2200 yen

Official Website: https://cheese-fun.jp/funfanfun/

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Please note that event details are subject to change. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Tenma Wine Summit: Your Passport to Seven Wine Countries in One Day! (Sunday, October 20th)

Get ready to embark on a whirlwind wine adventure through seven different countries—all without leaving Osaka! On Sunday, October 20th, the Tenma Wine Summit invites you to experience a unique wine-tasting stamp rally, featuring the best of Tenma’s vibrant culinary scene.

Seven participating restaurants will each represent a distinct wine-producing country, offering a curated selection of red and white wines perfectly paired with specially crafted snacks. It’s a limited-time opportunity to savor a global tasting experience, all within walking distance.

Here’s how it works:

• Grab your passport to flavor: Purchase your advance ticket for just ¥1100. This gets you a tasting glass, a stamp rally card, and a stylish original sacoche bag to carry your glass.
• Chart your course: Visit the participating shops in any order you like between 12:00 and 18:00 (check individual shop hours below). Your ticket includes one free glass of wine at each location! Additional glasses are available for purchase. Wine experts will be on hand at each stop to share their knowledge and enhance your tasting experience.
• Collect your stamps: Get your stamp rally card marked at each shop you visit.
• Claim your prize: Complete the rally by 6:00 PM and return your glass to the reception to receive a special gift!

Beyond the Wine:

To complement your wine journey, each shop requires a minimum order of one snack per person (priced between ¥300 and ¥500). Think of it as a delicious opportunity to explore even more of what Tenma has to offer! And the best part? You get to keep the sacoche bag as a souvenir of your wine-filled day.

Important Details:

• Age Restriction: This event is for those 20 years and older.
• Transportation: Please use public transportation to attend the event.
• Reception: Wine Shop Ara (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Yamazaki-cho 2-2) from 11:30 to 15:00. This is where you’ll exchange your ticket for your glass, card, and sacoche. Participating shops are listed below.
• Glass Deposit: A ¥1000 deposit is required for the tasting glass, refundable upon return by 6:30 PM. Please note that broken or unreturned glasses will forfeit the deposit.
• Same-Day Tickets: If available, same-day tickets will be ¥2000 and announced on the official Instagram (@tenmawinesummit).

Participating Shops (in alphabetical order; times indicate event hours):

• ihatov: 12:00-16:00 (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Kurosaki-cho 2-1 Daiho Seika)
• Otoko Wine TACTICS: 12:00-18:00 (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Tenjinbashi 4-10-3 Senju Building 2F West Room)
• Kozono French Stand: 12:00-18:00 (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Tenjinbashi 3-11-10)
• Stand Zakky: 12:00-18:00 (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Tenjinbashi 3-10-20)
• Nikai no Tsurezure Renaissance: 13:00-18:00 (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Tenjinbashi 4-12-11 2F)
• vintage24: 12:00-18:00 (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Tenjinbashi 4-12-21)
• Yadokari Shokudo: 12:00-18:00 (Osaka-shi Kita-ku Tenjinbashi 4-2-19)

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, October 20th, 2024
• Time: 12:00-18:00 (Reception: 11:30-15:00) Start and end times vary by shop.
• Price: ¥1100 (advance ticket)
• Contact: Official Instagram DM
• Website/Reservations: tenmawinesummit.peatix.com

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Indulge Your Sweetest Cravings at the 2nd Annual Sweet Potato, Chestnut, and Red Bean Paste Festival!

Get ready to embark on a delicious journey at the 2nd Annual Sweet Potato, Chestnut, and Red Bean Paste Festival, held at the Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro Main Store. From October 17th to 22nd, 2024, prepare your taste buds for an explosion of autumnal flavors! Forty-seven vendors will showcase a delectable array of treats featuring seasonal stars like sweet potatoes and chestnuts, alongside the quintessential Japanese ingredient: red bean paste.

Calling All Sweet Potato Lovers!

Don’t miss the chance to sample five different varieties of baked sweet potatoes, each boasting unique sweetness and texture. Freshly baked on-site, these warm, comforting treats are the perfect autumn indulgence.

But the sweet potato fun doesn’t stop there! Explore a wide variety of innovative sweet potato creations, from creamy gelato to fluffy pastries:

• Oimo Biyori: Indulge in the "Honey Sweet Potato Two-Tone Mont Blanc Gelato" (¥800 eat-in) featuring a swirl of Shinshu Silk Sweet cream and vibrant purple Beni-imo cream from Okinawa, all atop a refreshing scoop of Shinshu milk gelato.
• Super Honey Baked Sweet Potato Pukupuku: Sink your teeth into the "Imo Kawayaki" (¥378), a crispy, fish-shaped waffle overflowing with luscious Silk Sweet potato paste.
• Sweet Potato Sweets Specialty Store Flanders Fritz: Treat yourself to the "Sweet Potato Mont Blanc Fresh Cream Puff" (¥451 each) in your choice of Beni-imo or Silk Sweet. These delightful puffs are filled with sweet potato custard and cream and topped with a decadent Mont Blanc swirl.
• Organic Sweet Potato Cafe Imoka: Experience the ultimate sweet potato extravaganza with the "Sweet Potato Filled Imoka Crepe" (¥1,300 eat-in). This gluten-free crepe is a masterpiece of flavor and texture, featuring purple sweet potato Mont Blanc, maple cream cheese, sweet potato custard, sweet potato brûlée, sweet potato chips, and candied sweet potato.

Roasted Chestnuts and Chestnut Delights

Experience the rich, nutty aroma and satisfying warmth of roasted chestnuts and chestnut-infused sweets:

• Tanba no Sachi: Enjoy freshly steamed "Tanba Roasted Chestnuts" featuring premium Tanba chestnuts from Hyogo Prefecture (¥1,620 for 230g, ¥3,240 for 500g).
• Fukudaya Kumamoto Waguri-an: Savor the "Freshly Picked Japanese Chestnut Cheese Cream Mont Blanc" (¥1,600 for a box of 3; limited to 50 boxes daily). Smooth cheese cream complements the exquisite flavor of Kumamoto chestnuts in this elegant, three-layered dessert.
• Shimanto Drama: Delight in the "Kinton Kuribayashi Tsubuiri" (¥1,296 for 3 pieces, ¥2,376 for 6 pieces), bite-sized mashed sweet potato confections filled with chopped domestic chestnuts and wrapped in Shimanto chestnut paste, each individually presented in a charming tea cloth.
• Kyoto Katsura Tsuruya Yoshinobu: Experience the delicate texture of the "Chestnut Warabi Mochi" (¥864; limited to 40 pieces daily), a bracken-starch dumpling meticulously kneaded for over an hour to achieve its signature soft and chewy consistency.

Red Bean Paste Perfection: From Classic to Cutting-Edge

From traditional favorites to modern interpretations, discover the versatility of red bean paste:

• Akafuku: Experience the timeless elegance of "Akafuku Mochi" (¥1,300 for 12 pieces; limited quantity daily). These soft mochi topped with smooth, strained red bean paste are a testament to the beauty of simplicity.
• Anko no Kachi: Explore the fusion of Japanese and Western flavors with the "An-shu Cream Trio" (¥1,501 for 3 pieces). These cream puffs feature three distinct layers of red bean paste – coarse, strained, and peeled – combined with creamy custard and fresh cream for a delightful interplay of textures and sweetness.
• Nikko Natural Ice Kuramoto Shogetsu Himuro: Cool down with the "Azuki Milk (Uji Matcha)" shaved ice (¥2,001 eat-in; limited to 30 servings daily), a refreshing treat made with azuki beans from Tochigi’s renowned Koun-do Honten and premium Uji Matcha.

Event Details:

• Dates: October 17th (Thursday) – October 22nd (Tuesday), 2024
• Time: 10:00 – 19:00 (Last order for eat-in is 30 minutes before closing)
• Location: Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro Main Store, 8th Floor Event Space
• Address: 1-1-25 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 〒171-8512
• Nearest Station: Ikebukuro Station
• MAP
• Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro Main Store
• Official Website: https://www.tobu-dept.jp/ikebukuro/event/detail/7214

Prices include consumption tax (10% for eat-in). Please note that event details are subject to change. Refer to the official website for the latest information.

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Celebrate the Life and Works of Sakunosuke Oda at the 10th Odasaku Festival!

(Saturday, October 26th)

Join the Odasaku Club for a special celebration of the renowned author Sakunosuke Oda at the 10th annual Odasaku Festival! This year, the festivities move to a significant location in Oda’s life: Kitanoda, Sakai City, where he resided and penned masterpieces such as "Meoto Zenzai." This year’s event commemorates the installation of a plaque at his former residence.

The festival promises a fascinating glimpse into Oda’s life and legacy, featuring a commemorative lecture and unveiling ceremony.

Event Highlights:

• Engaging Lecture: At 2:00 PM, delve into the captivating world of "Two People in Kitanoda – The Household Account Book of Sakunosuke Oda’s Wife, Kazue -". Storyteller Sachiko Yoshikawa (Odasaku Club member), along with Toshio Takahashi and Akira Igashi (Odasaku Club co-representatives), will bring this unique perspective to life.
• Commemorative Unveiling: Witness the unveiling of the introductory plate at Oda’s former residence, marking a lasting tribute to his literary contributions.
• Connect with Fellow Enthusiasts: Share your appreciation for Oda’s work and connect with fellow enthusiasts during the Odasaku Club history and activities presentation and open discussion.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Advance application required, limited to 70 attendees)
• Time:
  • 1:00 PM: Opening
  • 2:00 PM: Talk Event
  • 3:00 PM: Odasaku Club History & Activities, Open Discussion (at Higashiji Shoten)
  • 3:30 PM: Unveiling Ceremony
  • 4:00 PM: Closing
• Location: Sakai City Higashi Bunka Kaikan Lifelong Learning Facility, Aminus Kitanoda, 3rd Floor Training Room (1077-301 Kitanoda, Higashi Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture). A short walk from Kitanoda Station on the Nankai Koya Line.
• Fee: Free!

How to Attend:

Secure your spot by sending an email to Takahashi at [email protected]. Include your address, name, phone number, and the number of people attending.

Contact:

• For inquiries, contact Matsui at 090-5046-4075 or [email protected].
• Visit the Odasaku Club website: https://odasaku-club1026.hirameki7.site/

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OKASHI PARK in Shibuya Hokutan Park: A Sweet Escape in the City

Indulge Your Sweetest Dreams at Shibuya’s OKASHI PARK!

Remember dreaming of a park overflowing with sweets? That dream becomes a reality at Shibuya Hokutan Park this November! OKASHI PARK is a two-day festival featuring over 20 vendors offering a delectable mix of traditional Japanese sweets, Western pastries, and trendy treats like the ever-popular financier. Get ready to satisfy your cravings!

This isn’t just another dessert fair. OKASHI PARK offers unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Think you can handle the sugar rush? Test your limits at the all-you-can-pack baked goods station – a fun challenge for attendees of all ages. And for entertainment beyond the edible, enjoy free live comedy performances on stage. It’s the perfect recipe for a fun day out with friends and family.

What Makes OKASHI PARK Special?

This year, OKASHI PARK goes beyond just offering delicious treats. The "All-You-Can-Pack Baked Sweets" activity adds a new layer of fun and excitement, allowing you to curate your own personalized assortment of baked goods. Combined with the live comedy stage, OKASHI PARK becomes an immersive entertainment experience, appealing to a wider audience than traditional dessert festivals.

Participating Vendors: A Symphony of Flavors

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the talented vendors who will be showcasing their sweet creations:

• chiffon cake Romi
• SIUNAUS SWEETS
• Reve
• 此処菓子店 (KOKOKASHITEN)
• Color Your Life Co., Ltd. (Night Cacao by KOKODii)
• Matured Basque Cheesecake
• Kajuan
• Okashi Kobo tiara
• Wa no Kashi Jun
• Premier Co., Ltd.
• BLVCK PARIS
• OZZY Co., Ltd.
• Mama’s Cheesecake / VentureBlossom Co., Ltd.
• Office MATT LLC (Store Name: BamBoo)
• Grand Fleur
• La Vie en Reve Tokyo Co., Ltd. (Patisserie La Vie en Reve)
• BIRTH OF SMILE Co., Ltd.
• Hanazono Manju
• And many more!

Event Details:

• Venue: Shibuya City Hokutan Park (Nearest Station: Shibuya Station)
• Address: 〒150-0041 Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Jinnan 1-7-3 Map
• Dates: Saturday, November 30th – Sunday, December 1st, 2024
• Official Website: OKASHI PARK Official Website

Please note that event details are subject to change. Always check the official website for the latest information.

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What is Shibuya Hokutan Park?

Shibuya Hokutan Park is a vibrant urban oasis located in the heart of Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district. Known for its harmonious blend of natural beauty and modern design, the park offers a serene escape from the city’s fast-paced environment. Amidst carefully landscaped gardens and lush greenery, visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, relax on benches, or take part in various outdoor activities. The park is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, serving as a venue for community events, cultural festivals, and art installations. Its central location and accessibility make it a perfect spot for hosting events like OKASHI PARK 2023, where visitors can immerse themselves in a delightful fusion of sweets and entertainment.