Mie Prefecture Ise-Shima Summit Commemorative Event in Nihonbashi
Mie Prefecture will host the food experience event "Mie Week in Nihonbashi ~This is Japan, This is Mie~" in Tokyo's Chuo Ward Nihonbashi area from February 16 to 22. This event commemorates 100 days before the G7 Summit, the "Ise-Shima Summit," to be held in Mie Prefecture on May 26 and 27.
The event, held in Nihonbashi—once the starting point for pilgrimages to Ise—promotes the prefecture's appeal through food. On the first day, February 16, a commemorative forum titled "The Spirit of 'Wa'" will be held. A panel discussion will cover the significance of the summit and the appeal of Ise-Shima.
From the 16th to the 22nd, the "Ise Pilgrimage Food Tour in Nihonbashi" will take place across venues in the Nihonbashi area (Mie Terrace, Mitsukoshi Main Store, WATASU Nihonbashi, COREDO Muromachi 1, etc.). Activities include sales of Mie prefectural products and commemorative lunches, an Ise tea workshop, and related talk shows.
Preceding this, a press conference and reception were held at Mie Terrace in Nihonbashi on the 11th.
Governor Suzuki Hideyuki stated, "Hosting the summit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote the prefecture's food and tourism. We want to send a strong signal from Nihonbashi, with which we share deep ties," and announced the event details. He also revealed that, as ministerial meetings will be held in various locations related to the summit, the prefecture will collaborate with Sendai City (hosting the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting) and Hiroshima City (hosting the Foreign Ministers Meeting) on events. He stated the keys to the summit's success are "safety," "a whole-of-prefecture effort," and "passing the legacy on to the next generation."
To energize the Summit Movement, the prefecture plans to implement the "Omotenashi Grand Operation," promoting activities like cleanups, and organize press tours for overseas media.
Taking the stage were Mr. Kizaburo Nonaga, third-generation proprietor of Japanese restaurant "Nihonbashi Yukari," and Ms. Kumiko Ogura, Mie Prefecture Tourism Ambassador and former badminton player. They engaged in a discussion with Governor Suzuki about the appeal of Mie's cuisine. When Ms. Ogura expressed interest in trying a commemorative lunch made with Mie ingredients priced at ¥3,310 to tie in with the summit, Mr. Nonaga surprised everyone by announcing, "Our restaurant will also offer a lunch using Mie's mountain and sea delicacies at the same price!" The three shared messages such as, "If you discover Mie's appeal at this event, we hope you'll visit the region next," and "Just as the Kirin in Nihonbashi has wings, we want to spread Mie's cuisine to the world."
Following the announcement, a reception showcasing Mie's cuisine was held, featuring dishes made with local specialties like Ise lobster and oysters.
Event site: http://www.summit-mieweek.jp/
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