Japanese regional food fairs open in Akita and Saitama this summer

A "Kyoto Taste Market" showcasing popular Kyoto sweets and specialties such as fresh yatsuhashi, yatsuhashi cubes, chirimen sansho and kintsuba is being held in Akita City. The fair runs at the Akita OPA venue until June 28, 2026, and will move to the Aeon Mall Akita from June 30 through July 16, operating from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (closing at 5:00 p.m. on the final day).

In Saitama City, the "Minakami Summer Taste Exhibition Saitama" is taking place on July 11‑12 at the Marumaru East Japan Partnership Center. The event promotes Minakami town’s agricultural products—including limited‑edition blueberries and mushrooms—and offers information on the locale’s cool‑climate summer attractions, such as canoeing, rafting, and the underground Minakami‑Dora station. An accompanying information exchange meeting on July 10 targeted travel agencies and media.

Both fairs aim to attract visitors from the wider Kanto region and highlight regional culinary and tourism offerings.