Sake, tea, sweets, fashion, film, art… In Japan, these are known as "shikohin" or "indulgences." How about experiencing a special three-day event where you can taste, drink, and shop for carefully curated indulgences from all over Japan?
In November 2024, Tokyo's Ginza will host a food and cultural event themed around shikohin, called "Shikohinten." Check out the event details below and make plans to join us!
FUN! JAPAN (KKday) is offering exclusive perks for attendees! Please check the URL below.
https://www.kkday.com/en/product/259907?cid=20502&ud1=officialsite
What is "Shikohinten"? A Special Food Event Celebrating Japanese Indulgences
"Shikohinten," held in Tokyo's Ginza, is a unique event with the theme "A Treat for Us – A Marketplace of Food and Culture." Here, you'll experience the flavors of Japanese drinks and foods from around the country, while meeting producers and discovering new cultural trends. Around 70 creators, not limited to food but also including dishware, home goods, and skincare, will gather to showcase their work. It’s a special three-day opportunity to enjoy Japan's finest indulgences through tasting, drinking, and shopping.
Why Focus on "Shikohin"?
Blue Marble, the group behind Shikohinten, is an organization dedicated to promoting creativity through events and social initiatives centered around themes like design and art.
Their goal through Shikohinten is to create added value by blending Japanese culture—such as music, art, and fashion—with food. By highlighting the distinct qualities of Japanese cuisine, Blue Marble aims to foster sustainable regional culture and introduce Japan's unique food culture not only within Japan but also to a global audience.
Five Main Event Booths at Shikohinten
Shikohinten will feature five main event booths, each promoting Japanese food culture, lifestyle, and a shared appreciation for Japanese customs and creations.
1.Japanese Indulgences Market
The marketplace will offer a range of traditional Japanese indulgences such as sake, tea, and incense, alongside essential lifestyle items like dishware, home goods, and cosmetics. Featured food items will include “penta CRAFT NATURAL ENERGY,” an herbal energy drink, and “Soki Mustard,” a specialty grain mustard from Kagawa Prefecture, among other appetizers, condiments, and sweets. There will also be a dedicated space to enjoy music, art, and other indulgences that enrich daily life.
The cosmetics are carefully selected for their uniqueness, such as “TONE AND SENSITIVE,” a preservative-free skincare brand, and “kin&sense,” which offers a lactic acid scrub themed around fermentation. All products are skin-friendly and environmentally conscious.
Additionally, a “Celebration of Japan” shop corner will showcase festive items like sake barrel-opening sets, Daruma dolls, papier-mâché crafts, Mizuhiki accessories, and a workshop by “Honpindo” where visitors can create their own personal amulet. It’s a space to find unique, personal treasures.
2. Japanese Sake Tasting
In the “Japanese Sake” tasting area, you can sample a variety of traditional Japanese alcoholic beverages, including sake, shochu, craft beer, and fruit-based liqueurs. Around 20 producers from regions like Niigata, Yamagata, Fukushima, Shiga, Wakayama, Hyogo, and Kagoshima will present their offerings.
Though many may think of sake first when it comes to Japanese beverages, fruit-based drinks such as Yamagata’s cider, Wakayama’s plum wine, and Hyogo’s Japanese wine are also available, making it easy for everyone to find something they enjoy. This area brings together producers with distinctive concepts, many of whom rarely appear at sake events. The opportunity to taste such a broad range of Japanese alcoholic beverages in one place is truly unique to this event.
☆Early Bird Discount: Save 500 yen with the Early Bird ticket for the sake tasting area, available until November 17th. Enjoy a tasting experience for 3,000 yen (tax-excluded), down from the regular price of 3,500 yen (tax-excluded).
- Ticket purchase URL below.
- https://www.kkday.com/en/product/259907?cid=20502&ud1=officialsite
- Ticket details: The ticket includes a value of up to 3,600 yen in drinks.
* Tickets are unavailable to those under 20 years old.
* Please show your ticket purchase screen at the on-site ticket exchange counter.
3. Food Pairings with Japanese Sake
A curated selection of food will be available for pairing with Japanese sake. Highlights include fried oysters from Hiroshima and grilled beef tongue from Sendai, Miyagi, along with stews, curries, and other regional specialties. For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, the event also features vegan sweets, typically available only online. Standing and seated areas are provided for a comfortable dining experience.
Specialty pairings from around Japan include additive-free, hand-crafted kimchi from Tsuruoka, Yamagata, matched with local sake, and homemade cheese from Kobe, Hyogo, paired with Japanese wine. These exceptional culinary offerings, prepared with Japan’s finest ingredients, can be enjoyed right at the venue.
4. Indulgence Experience Workshops
Unique Japanese workshops (with fees) are available on-site, offering rare experiences even Japanese residents don’t often encounter.
COFFEE CEREMONY IN GINZA - “Kado” Experience
In a modern tearoom setting, participants can enjoy a unique blend of coffee and tea, known as “Kado.” PUBLIC SERVICE, a design team preserving traditional culture with innovative approaches, hosts the event. They have previously showcased their work at Milan’s Salone Satellite 2024, and will also sell their handmade tea ware through pre-orders at the venue.
COFFEE CEREMONY IN GINZA - “Kado” Experience
- Dates & Times: Daily, 1:00-2:00 PM, 3:00-4:00 PM, 5:00-6:00 PM, 7:00-8:00 PM (Advance reservation required, each session is 1 hour)
- Cost: 3,500 yen (tax included)
- Advance Reservation/Ticket Purchase URL: https://shikohinten01-coffeeceremony.peatix.com
"The World’s Newest Tasting Event" by Chef SOUDARUA
Performance chef SOUDARUA will present a live cooking installation titled "The World’s Newest Tasting Event," creating dishes with ingredients sourced from the event’s vendors. This interactive tasting is popular for fostering connections between vendors and guests.
- Dates: Friday, November 22, 6:00-7:00 PM; Saturday, November 23, 6:00-7:00 PM (Free participation, no reservation required)
5. Art Exhibit Dedicated to Japanese Indulgences
MAO SHIBATA
Japanese art celebrating indulgence will be displayed for all three days of the event, with select pieces available for purchase. Modern art with a distinct Japanese aesthetic will fill the venue with a vibrant atmosphere.
Event Details for Shikohinten
Dates: Friday, November 22 - Sunday, November 24, 2024
- Hours: 12:00-8:00 PM (closes at 5:00 PM on final day)
- Venue: Tokyu Plaza Ginza 7F (5-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
- Number of Exhibitors: 70
- Organized by: Shikohinten Committee (Diamond Head Co., Ltd. / Fun Japan Communications Co., Ltd. / One Global Co., Ltd.)
- Admission: Free
- Pre-sale Site for Sake Tasting Tickets:
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