Japan Rail Café Presents Taberu Tohoku Tour – A Virtual Food Fair

Taberu Tohoku – An oishii virtual food fair that celebrates Northeast Japan in all its delicious glory!

Venue: Online – Facebook Live
Date: 27 Mar – 30 Apr 2021
Time: 10.30 am – 6 pm 
Fee: Free

Hot on the heels of Japan Rail Café’s successful online travel fair (The Japan Rail Fair – A Virtual Trip to Japan) in Nov 2020 comes Taberu Tohoku Tour, a virtual voyage that transports one to the Tohoku Region in Northeast Japan.

The first of its kind, this online series of webinars will feature sightseeing spots and delectable food of the region, making it a truly memorable trip that will satisfy wanderlust from the comfort of one’s seat. 

Made up of six prefectures – Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata, the Tohoku Region is renowned for scenic mountains, lakes and of course, good food. ‘Taberu’ means ‘to eat’ in Japanese, and this tour will undoubtedly be a glorious showcase highlighting not-to-be-missed spots such as Sanriku Coast, Sendai and Hirono Sea Urchin Farm that will hopefully inspire all to plan a trip to this undiscovered gem of a locale.

The virtual trips will take place online via Facebook live streaming from Japan over two Saturdays (27 Mar and 10 Apr 2021). They are free to attend with no pre-registration required. 

Adding to the excitement from 1 to 30 Apr 2021 is a retail showcase of featured Tohoku products in the tour at Japan Rail Café, as part of a special collaboration with local partners such as H.I.S. Singapore and nomono, including the latter’s online platforms via Shopee and Lazada. Customers can also enjoy two special Tohoku Ekiben (bento boxes served on trains)- Gyutan and Salmon Harako - for April in celebration of this special event.

Itinerary for 27 Mar 2021

Sensational Sanriku: Reborn 10 Years After

The revitalised Sanriku Coast is a highlight as this tour takes one to the must-see spots and must-eat foods such as the famous uni bento and bindon (seafood rice in a glass bottle). Although badly affected by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011, the area has since undergone extensive restoration work to its former glory. Enchanting natural scenery and bountiful seafood are the main attractions on this tour.

A Trip Down Iwate’s Kamaishi Line

JR East’s Kamaishi railway line is the focus of this tour that takes the viewer on a discovery ride to recommended foodie stops. On sale at Japan Rail Cafe: Golden Ale (beer), Hazy IPA (beer); Minwa-zuke (Japanese pickles).

Strawberry Smiles from Sendai

The centre of Tohoku, Sendai is blessed with beautiful nature and scrumptious food. This tour starts from Hotel Metropolitan Sendai, located next to JR Sendai Station, which serves as the perfect base for a Tohoku adventure. It also makes a stop at the new agri-tourist facility JR Fruits Park Arahama in Sendai.

On sale at Japan Rail Cafe: Junmai Daiginjo M30 Premium Sake; Espoir Confiture (strawberry jam).

Akita’s Flavours: “Nmemono” Tour

Known as the "country of beauty", Akita is surrounded by beautiful nature regardless of the season. This tour will introduce a variety of "nmemono", which means "delicious food" in the Akita dialect. Watch out for locally-grown "iburi-gakko" (smoked radish pickles), freshly brewed sake from the historical Suzuki Shuzo, and a memorable stay in wanoi KAKUNODATE, a renowned historical warehouse-turned-hotel.

On sale at Japan Rail Cafe: Iburigakko (pickled radish); PuchimaruGakko DAICHAN (pickled radish); NINJINKUN (pickled carrot); Hideyoshi Junmai Daiginjo; Hideyoshi “Namacho” - Honjozo Namachozo; and Lachamte sake

Itinerary for 1 Apr 2021

Hirono Sea Urchin Farm Experience

A unique live streaming experience that will showcase how to enjoy steamed uni (sea urchin)!

On sale at Japan Rail Cafe: Kita Murasaki Canned Uni (North Purple Sea Urchin).

Live Well with LEAFELL Tea!

This session features LEAFELL, a tea and sweets concept which was established in Sendai in 2018, and enlightens on the Japanese tea drinking culture and tea-making tips.

On sale at Japan Rail Cafe: Yabukita, Kogane, and Hitomebore tea blends, sold in canisters.

Tohoku Ekiben Special

Diners may look forward to two scrumptious ekiben that will no doubt remind them of their train journeys in Japan. The Gyutan Ekiben is a best seller from JR Sendai Station and is served in an intriguing self-heating container! The gyutan, a local speciality of Sendai, is best enjoyed with the accompanying seaweed salt that brings out its smoky flavour.

Known as the ‘Sparkle of Miyagi’s Sea’, the Salmon Harako Ekiben (‘Miyagiumi no Kagayaki’ in Japanese) is named for the generous amount of glistening ikura. It is served with sliced grilled salmon and pickled radish on a bed of ikura-topped rice.

Image credits Taberu Tohoku Tour