Japan's largest sweets festival "Oise-san Confectionery Expo 2017" has begun! I immediately went for an interview!

The big event that is attracting a lot of attention this spring, “Ise-san Confectionery Expo”, is being held in IseCity!
I went to the pre-opening preview early, so I'd like to report on the latest information, such as the ``White Akafukumochi'' exclusive to the Confectionery Expo and local gourmet booths.

The central gate welcomes you with four towering pillars. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth on the left. As we expect it to be crowded during the exhibition period, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance at a convenience store.

Admission fee: 2,000 yen for adults, 1,600 yen for seniors, 1,400 yen for middle and high school students, 800 yen for elementary school students

The venue is the size of two Tokyo Domes, so you will be overwhelmed by the number of booths. I was so confused about where to start. Get a venue map at the general information center on the right after entering the central gate, and get around efficiently.

There is also a delivery office next to the general information center, so if you buy a lot of souvenirs, you can have them delivered to your home. This makes me happy!

There is also a wheelchair and stroller rental office in front of the general information center. Even those with small children or those who are anxious about walking for long periods of time can enjoy the confectionery exhibition with peace of mind.

First, we went straight to the numbered ticket distribution area near Okage Chaya in search of Akafukumochi 's limited edition Akafuku Mochi Shukubon, which is made with white Akafukumochi beans and can only be tasted at the Confectionery Expo venue, which was a hot topic in the news. .
Many people were already lining up for distribution starting at 10am. The staff's information placard is a landmark.

​*In order to purchase "White Akafukumochi," "Akafukumochi Shukubon," and "Reprinted Akafukumochi Mochi," which are sold only at the Confectionery Expo, you must win with a lottery ticket distributed at the Confectionery Expo venue. Please note that both quantities are limited.
For more information, please visit the Akatarou special site commemorating the Oise-san Confectionery Expo.

As it is one of the featured products and is limited to Confectionery Expo, you will need a numbered ticket before purchasing. Limited to one ticket per person, until supplies last. (Please note that the purchasing method may change depending on the situation.)
This time, I was able to get two numbered tickets safely in line.

*Information as of the preview on April 20th. Currently, it is a lottery ticket system.

I immediately headed to Okage Chaya and bought two plates in exchange for the numbered ticket. One plate and drink (hojicha or coffee) costs 210 yen.

Both white and red have a rich flavor that makes use of the red bean material, and are very delicious! I was exhausted in no time.

“Okage Chaya” also has other attractive confectionery expo limited items. You can enjoy the ``Shinka Parfait,'' which is a mix of sweets produced by six long-established Japanese sweets manufacturers from all over the country.

I bought it for 650 yen and it was delicious too. It was just the right size and had a gentle flavor that brought out the best of Japanese and Western flavors. I think everyone from small children to the elderly will be happy with it.

In the center of the venue, there is an outdoor "food court" and "eating walking hospitality road," where Mie Prefecture's gourmet food gathers!
You can fully enjoy famous gourmet foods such as Matsusaka beef, Ise-Udon, Tsu gyoza, etc.

This is the booth of TobaCity Tourism Association "Toba Umaimon Shokudo". You can enjoy fresh seafood such as grilled seafood and whitebait bowl. I was also a little intrigued by the AKB-yaki takoyaki with abalone.

Once we were full, we headed to the "Sweet Crafts Museum" located inside the sub-arena.

It is truly a sight to behold, with a large number of exquisite craft confections made using traditional techniques, the largest collection in the history of the Confectionery Expo.

This is a work by Bern Co., Ltd. called "Hyakka Ryouran." Is it candy work? It was very beautiful and looked like a jewel. It is my favorite.

Next, we visited the ``Sweet Theme Pavilion'' and the ``National Sweets Deai Pavilion'' located inside Sun Arena.

The Sweets Theme Pavilion is a calm and comfortable Japanese space that introduces the history of sweets in Mie Prefecture, including a huge symbol of the Ise Shrine, which was popular during the Edo period, recreated in sweets. There is also plenty to see, including an exhibition of craft confectionery made by high school students in Mie Prefecture.

This is the ``National Sweets Deai-kan'' located in the same Sun Arena. Prefectures across Japan are divided into six blocks, and approximately 2,500 sweets from all over the country are gathered and exhibited.

I felt like I was traveling all over the country, with all the sweets that were unique and unique to each region.

Next, we headed to "Sweet Nigiwai Yume Yokocho" located at the very back of the Kashi Expo venue.

There will be booths from 8 major confectionery manufacturers, and each booth will have a hands-on experience event and give away confectionery samples (limited quantity), making it very attractive!
This is a place that families should definitely visit.

This is the Morinaga & Co. booth. To commemorate Chocoball's 50th anniversary, you can enjoy a 3D virtual Chocoball factory tour. You can see Kyoro-chan up close and have a mysterious experience. At the end, you will receive a chocolate ball.

This is the "Fujiya" booth. Samples of Country Ma'am (Ise GreenTea) with a cute Isewanko in the confectionery expo limited package will be distributed, and you can take a commemorative photo with Peko-chan. Everyone who takes a commemorative photo will receive a goodie bag.

This is the booth of "Yamazaki Baking". We will be happy to sample freshly baked pizza and croissants, and give out samples of ring donuts.

Next, we headed to Mie Inai-kan, located near the central gate. There are Mie Prefecture booths and booths of major confectionery manufacturers in Mie Prefecture.

At the Mie Prefecture booth, we will be distributing and stamping the "Mie Food Travel Passport" and the "Mie Food Travel Passport Confectionery Expo Edition," which will allow you to enjoy tourist information within the prefecture as well as stamp rallies around the prefecture.
If you don't have it yet, take this opportunity to get it and enjoy the stamp rally!

At Akafukumochi booth, we will be distributing bamboo fans with the character ``Akataro'' on them, at the Imuraya booth we will be giving away balloons with the character ``Azuki King'' to children under elementary school age (limited quantity), and at the Oyatsu Company booth we will be distributing baby star ramen. There are many other fun projects.

Finally, let's go to the "Nationwide Sweets Dream Market" and the "Shopping Hospitality Road"!

This store carries over 1,800 sweets products from all over Japan, including Mie Prefecture. It's the perfect place to choose souvenirs, as they are displayed by region.

There are also many cute confectionary products limited to the confectionery exhibition with the official character Isewanko on the package, so be sure to stop by here on your way home.

I often saw the official mascot character, Isewanko, at various places at the confectionery exhibition venue.

It was so cute that I couldn't help but head to the Isewanko goods section of the AEON booth on the "Shopping Hospitality Road." There was a wide variety of items, from T-shirts to stuffed animals to small items such as straps. Get the stuffed animal you fell in love with at first sight! This is a popular item, and quantities are limited, so get yours early.

It is one of the largest sweets festivals in Japan, with sweets from all over Japan gathered together. We expect the venue to be crowded, but please take this opportunity to visit the charming Oise-san Confectionery Expo!

Event period: 24 days from April 21st (Friday) to May 14th (Sunday), 2017

Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 (until 17:00 on the last day)

Venue: Mie Prefectural Sun Arena and surrounding areas

Contact: 27th National Confectionery Expo Mie Executive Committee Secretariat ℡0596-63-5830

Please see the Oise-san Confectionery Expo official website for details on how to access.

○Event information: Oise-san Confectionery Expo 2017

○Special article: I want to visit the Oise-san Confectionery Expo! Special feature on sightseeing spots in Mie Prefecture

○Interview report: Interview with Japanese and Western confectionery artisans at Oise-san Confectionery Expo “Taking on giant craft confectionery”

○Interview report: White Akafukumochi? Focus on white bean Akafukumochi from the confectionery expo limited “Akafuku Akafukumochi Celebration Bon” PR event 100 days before the opening of “Oisesan Confectionery Expo 2017”

[Model course of Oise-san Confectionery Expo]

・ A trip to enjoy Ise, Toba, Shima and Ise-san Confectionery Expo 2017

・ Visit IseJingu with Oise-san Confectionery Expo 2017! Courses by train and bus

Please also take a look at the video that introduces the charm of Oise-san Confectionery Expo.

The National Confectionery Exposition has been held approximately once every four years in order to pass on the history and culture of sweets to future generations and promote the confectionery industry.
It began in Tokyo in 1911 as the ``1st Imperial Confectionery Candy Exhibition,'' and this is the first time in 40 years that it has been held in the Tokai area since Shizuoka in 1977, and the first time in Mie.
Please come by all means.
Oise-san Confectionery Expo's character "Ise Wanko" is waiting for you!