EVENTS
RING in the NEW
Ramp up 2020 with these F&B and lifestyle events across Japan and Singapore. TOKYO
Furusato Matsuri Tokyo Dome, 10 to 19 January This 10-day annual extravaganza showcases smaller-scale versions of the country’s different festivals, all in one place. Apart from cultural performances like those from Aomori Prefecture’s famous Nebuta Matsuri, some 300 food companies from Hokkaido to Okinawa will dish up local specialities. Wash the fun down with more than 100 varieties of wine, craft beer and liquor. 1,000 to 1,500 yen ($12.50 to $18.80). www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/furusato TOKYO
Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament Ryogoku Kokugikan, 12 to 26 January This huge event is held every January and is the first of Japan’s six annual Sumo Tournaments (honbasho). Nothing beats the atmosphere of the final matches of the day, complete with cushion-throwing and cheers. Advance tickets can be bought online. Some tickets will also be released on the day itself, but you have to get to them very early. Sumo matches take place the whole day, and you can leave and return as you like. 3,800 to 38,000 yen. www.sumo.or.jp/En CHIBA
Inner Beauty Tokyo 2020 Makuhari Messe, 20 to 22 January, 9am to 6pm Expect a host of sourcing opportunities at this annual beauty and health food trade expo held alongside Cosme Tech 2020. Expect to see all kinds of beauty and health foods and drinks targeted at inner beauty, from vitamins and superfood, as well as diet products and ageing care. This year, some 800 exhibitors from more than 30 countries are expected to take part. Free with visitor ticket request at www.ib-expo. jp/inv_en/
OSAKA
Seafood Show Osaka ATC Hall at Asia and Pacific Trade Center, 19 February (10am to 5pm) & 20 February (10am to 4pm) Featuring a bounty from the seas, with seafood products, industryrelated services and many more. In its 17th year, this annual trade event organised by the Japan Fisheries Association takes place alongside Agri-Food Expo. seafood-show.com/osaka SINGAPORE
Restaurant Asia 2020 Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, 20 & 21 February (10am to 6pm, trade), 22 February (10am to 5pm, trade and public) The smart kitchen of the future will shake up cooking, food management and other aspects of the F&B industry. This second edition of trade show Restaurant Asia is a dedicated showcase of the future of smart and sustainable F&B solutions and ingredients. restaurantasia.com.sg CHIBA
Foodex Japan Makuhari Messe, 10 to 12 March (10am to 5pm), 13 March (10am to 4.30pm) Now into its 45th edition, this huge annual trade show is said to be Asia’s largest food and drink exhibition from Japan and the rest of the world. In 2020, more than 85,000 visitors and 3,300 exhibitors are expected to take part in this massive showcase featuring products like food processing, bakery and packaging equipment as well as consumer products, food preservation and canning practices. From 4,000 yen. www.jma.or.jp/foodex/en SINGAPORE
Miyajima Oyster Festival In front of Miyajima Pier, 8 & 9 February, 10am to 3pm Oyster fans, put this in your planner. Miyajima Island in the Seto Inland Sea is renowned for its oyster farms, and February is typically peak season for the mollusc. The festival is dedicated to this abundance, with freshly shucked oysters, oysters sizzling on the grill, crispy oyster okonomiyaki pancakes, oyster stew and more. Free entry (dishes cost from 100 to 200 yen each). www.miyajima.or.jp/english/event/ event_kaki.html
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OISHII
FHA-Food & Beverage 2020 Singapore Expo, 31 March to 2 April (10am to 6pm), 3 April (10am to 4pm) Industry professionals, including distributors, importers, retailers and manufacturers, attend this trade show to source for high-quality, new-to-market food ingredients, drinks and fresh produce. This year, also expect to see a new FoodTech Zone, a culinary competition and the inaugural FHA Beer Awards. $80 (free for pre-registered visitors). www.fhafnb.com
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MIYAJIMA
