Washoku is the Japanese cuisine backed by the tradition and spirit of Japan.

According to the definition of UNESCO, Washoku is a social practice based on a set of skills, knowledge, practice and traditions related to the production, processing, preparation and consumption of food. It is associated with an essential spirit of respect for nature that is closely related to the sustainable use of natural resources.

There are 4 characteristics of “Washoku”, based on the explanation of MAFF (the ministry of agriculture forestry and fishers, Japan).

(1) Various fresh ingredients and using their natural tastes
(2) Well-baranced and healthy diets
(3) Emphasis of the beauty of nature in the presentation
(4) Connecting to annual events

These features are looked in many cuisines, in a resutaurant, on a table of home, in a Japanese lunch box “bento”.

An example of lunch in a Japanese restaurant. There are various fresh ingredients, fishes vegetables and of course Sencha green tea. Miso soup is a representative for “dashi” soup stock.

“Sushi” with Sencha green tea. Sushi is a set of rice and raw fishes. This type of sushi is called as “Chirashi-Zushi”.

An example of “Bento” lunch box. There are also various meals of healthy colors in it, resulting in well-baranced diet. In addition, we can look a green tea “Yokan” in the right hand of the box, being characteristic to Shizuoka.

From the view of cultural and spiritual aspect, Japanese tea are essential for Washoku.

In Shizuoka, we can see Japanese tea in most of restaurants and bars.

Japanese cuisine with green tea cacktail ( Shochu, Japanese distilled spirit brended with Sencha green tea ), served in Japanese bar.

In Japan, we pour sake each other to express the usual appreciation. The spirit of Washoku is represented in this custom.

In the local food festival held on 18th and 19th Feb., Washoku related to Shizuoka will be displayed and sold.
It is recommended to visit the festival and enjoy Washoku with Shizuoka tea. Hopefully the event will be good for you as hoodie holiday.

— Event information —
Local Food Festival in the Food Capital Shizuoka
Period : 18th (Sat), 19th (Sun) February 2017
Open time : from 10:00 to 16:00
Place : Twinmesse SHIZUOKA (Magarikane 3-chome 1-10, Shizuoka city Suruga-ku district, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan)
Entrance fee : Free.
Access : From Shizuoka station, please ride Shizutetsu bus at the bus stop of 11. At the bus stop, please see the number described in the bus head carefully. Head number 20 and 22 go to “Twinmesse SHIZUOKA”. Please use the picture below.

<Scenes in the last year>