Japan Food Festa 2013 The "Samurai Menu" cast members also made an appearance, making it a huge success!!

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries held the "Japan Food Festa 2013," a comprehensive exhibition of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products from across Japan, on November 2 and 3 in the Marunouchi Naka-dori area and around Yurakucho Station in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. This festival served as the kickoff event for the "Festival of Food and Agriculture" held by MAFF from November to December, aiming to promote the power of "Japanese food," including "washoku" (traditional Japanese cuisine), both domestically and internationally. Numerous groups selling local ingredients and foods set up stalls, and various events and contests were held. Attendance over the two days reached approximately 195,000 people.

The opening ceremony on the 2nd was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoshimasa Hayashi, along with guests including actress Aya Ueto and actor Kengo Kora, who appeared in the film "The Samurai's Menu," dressed in their movie costumes. Ueto offered encouragement, stating, "Washoku is cuisine that embodies hospitality and refinement. I want people around the world to know about it." Minister Hayashi stated, "We are focusing our efforts on promoting local food products. We want the world to use Japan's excellent ingredients."

On the 3rd, the results and award ceremony for the "1st Local Specialty National Grand Prize," solicited from July to September, were held. The Gold Prize was awarded to "Kyushu Pancake Mix" submitted by "Ippei" from Miyazaki Prefecture. The company's president, Koji Muraoka, expressed his joy, saying, "We carefully gathered one ingredient from each Kyushu prefecture and made it with care. We want to gather Kyushu's energy and energize Japan." The 20 items selected in the final judging will be sold on the online shopping site 47CLUB Inc. (until December 23).