This is a biannual food and drink trade fair in Tokyo targeted at overseas buyers and Japanese trading houses that export food and drink products. It is an ideal event for any business interested in entering the market for increasingly popular Japanese food and beverage items. Interest in ramen, Wagyu beef, matcha, and sake has skyrocketed in Europe, North America, and various parts of Asia—and we are only at the beginning of this global wave of Japanese delicacies.

With around 300 exhibitors from across Japan and several Korean companies present, this fair offers an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of products offered by these capable manufacturers. Categories include seafood, meat, Japanese tea, processed food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery & snacks, health food, seasonings & spices, and more. Additionally, for the first time, a dedicated section will showcase Japanese tableware and kitchen tools.

The trade fair is open from November 11 to November 13. The site is Tokyo’s Big Sight down by Tokyo Bay. Admission is free. Read more about the exhibition, including how to get there, and get your tickets here.

Today, food lovers across the planet have found that traditional Japanese food is both delicious and very (if not extremely) healthy. This video goes through 20 traditional Japanese foods that all provide one or several health benefits. In many cases, you will have to learn a little about how to prepare dishes to maximize the taste and the health aspect.

Some Japanese words are not pronounced the correct way in the video. We will put together a sound file with the correct pronounciation and include it in this posting, probably later this week.

Here is the list. The video linked to here is a bit longish, just over half an hour, but it's well worth watching since it's full of good information with narration in English.

1. Natto

2. Miso paste

3. Tofu

4. Edamame

5. Soy sauce

6. Japanese pickles

7. Oily fish

8. Sashimi

9. Seaweed varieties

10. Shirasu whole white bait

11. Daikon radish

12. Purple sweet potato from Okinawa