Food

New Record Set at Japan's Famous Soba Eating Contest

HYOGO, Apr 20 (News On Japan) - In Izushi, a district of Toyooka in Hyogo Prefecture known for its soba culture, the annual Izushi Soba Eating Contest was held on April 19.

With a booming signal marking the start, contestants began racing through plates of the town's specialty, 'Sara Soba,' or buckwheat noodles served in small dishes. The event is staged each year to promote the local delicacy and marked its 51st edition this year.

Participants competed to see how many plates they could finish within the time limit. One of the most popular categories was the 'Family Harmony Match,' in which teams of three made up of parents and children took part. Children were seen stuffing their mouths full of noodles as the venue filled with excitement.

One participant said, 'I can still eat more.' Asked whether it tasted good, another replied, 'I can't even taste it anymore.'

This year's winner was a family team from Kagawa Prefecture, which consumed 166 plates — around 30 more than the previous record, setting a new all-time high.

Source: YOMIURI

Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

Strong Quakes Strike Japan 11 Times Since April

Strong earthquakes have continued to shake parts of Japan in recent weeks, with 11 temblors measuring lower 5 or above on the Japanese seismic intensity scale recorded across the country since April 2026.

First Train of the Day Derails at Kintetsu Kyoto Station

A Kintetsu Railway train derailed inside Kyoto Station on the morning of June 29, forcing partial suspensions on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for the rest of the day and causing long delays that hit commuters, students and tourists.

Hikone Castle Stone Wall Collapses After Typhoon Deluge

A section of stone wall at Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original Edo-period castles and a National Treasure whose main keep remains intact more than 400 years after its construction, collapsed after heavy rain caused by Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, Hikone city officials said.

Japan Books Spot in World Cup Knockout Stage After Sweden Draw

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Food NEWS

Impact of Japan’s Stricter Foreign Business Manager Visa Rules

A Nepalese manager of a busy Indian restaurant in Kodaira, Tokyo, says he fears for the future of his business after Japan tightened the requirements for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to stay in the country under the business manager visa.

Sushiro Opening Packs in 1,000 Customers on First Day

Sushiro, Japan’s leading conveyor-belt sushi chain, drew heavy crowds to a new outlet near Ayase Station in Tokyo on June 11, with the first day of business revealing both the brand’s strength and the pressure behind running a high-volume sushi restaurant.

The Hidden Logistics Behind Hit Frozen Food

Japan Access, Japan's leading general food wholesaler, is expanding the potential of food logistics with frozen-to-chilled processing, a system that stores products frozen and thaws them only when orders arrive before shipping them to retailers as chilled goods.

Aichi Miso Impresses Chefs Preparing Asian Games Menus

Seven chefs tasked with developing athlete menus for the Asian Games opening in September visited a long-established Hatcho miso maker in Okazaki on June 22, as organizers look to promote Aichi’s food culture through fermented seasonings such as miso and soy sauce.