Mr. Kahoku also raves about its deliciousness! Premium Strawberry "Skyberry" Event

On December 9,Tochigi Prefecture held the "Strawberry Kingdom Tochigi Christmas Skyberry Party ~ Skyberry Season Arrives ~" at the T-SITE Garden Gallery in Shibuya, Tokyo, to celebrate the full-scale shipment of its new premium strawberry variety, the Skyberry.Tochigi Prefecturehas been Japan's top strawberry producer for 46 consecutive years since 1968, earning it the title " Strawberry Kingdom." It has also developed varieties such as "Nyohou" and "Tochiotome."

 

 

Governor Tomikazu Fukuda opened the event, stating, " Skyberry is a premium strawberry developed over 17 years to become Tochigi's new star. Full-scale shipments began this year. We will conduct various promotions to establish the Skyberry brand going forward." Yoshiyuki Ishihara, Director of the Tochigi Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station Strawberry Research Institute, described Skyberry's characteristics: large fruit, beautiful color and shape, and a smooth, juicy texture. He also revealed that the name was chosen from approximately 4,400 entries submitted nationwide, noting it is inspired by Mount Sukaizan, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains located within the prefecture.

 

 

Taking the stage were "King Fukuda," dressed as a monarch in homage to the Strawberry Kingdom; model Miyuki Tsukui, "the Lady," whose family runs a strawberry farm; and actress Mayuko Kawakita, "the Princess." As the trio poured champagne into a tree-shaped structure holding Skyberries, the tree illuminated, highlighting the berries' vivid color. The trio sampled Skyberries and collaborative sweets created by the "resident chefs" (KIHACHI Chef Kihachi Kumagai, patisserie KIHACHI Pastry Chef Eitoshi Sotono, and Otowa Restaurant Owner Chef Kazuki Otowa), beaming with delight at the deliciousness.

Ms. Kawakita and Ms. Tsukui said, "Enjoy it with someone special on a special day," and "We hope many people will experience it." Governor Fukuda stated, "Please enjoy Skyberry—very large, very beautiful, and very delicious —with someone important to you, and give it to someone special."

The collaborative sweets will be available for a limited time at 27 locations, including Patisserie KIHACHI, Shinjuku Takano, ELLE café, and Western confectionery shops within Tochigi Prefecture.

 

 

Official Website:
http://www.tochigi-skyberry.jp/