Ebisu is a gastronomic hub in Tokyo hoping to land more tourists during its upcoming whale meat food festival. When planning a trip to Japan, food is definitely something to look forward to, but rarely is whale meat on the top of the list, but perhaps a trip to Japan's capital can change that.
The festival will have over 30 restaurants in the Ebisu district featuring whale meat for the first time. It is only a question of whether tourists will want to try the gamey texture that is comparable to venison. Despite already having increased tourist numbers in recent years, Japan hopes to bolster even more worldwide attention for the upcoming 2020 Olympics. Japan also wants to alter the negative perception associated with whale hunting and its consumption.
Whale Meat Food Festivals
Japan Hopes a Whale Food Festival Will Attract More Tourists to Tokyo
Trend Themes
1. Whale Meat Trend - The growing interest in whale meat as a culinary experience can pave the way for more innovative ways to introduce it in local cuisine.
2. Gastronomic Tourism Trend - As more cities and districts organize food festivals, an opportunity arises to showcase unique food items thereby promoting culinary tourism.
3. Sustainable Consumption Trend - Efforts to reduce the negative impact of hunting and consumption of whale meat can drive innovation in sustainable and ethical food practices.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism Industry - The tourism industry can leverage the growing interest in unique food experiences to boost local economies and promote alternative tourism activities.
2. Food and Beverage Industry - Food and beverage companies can experiment with new ways to prepare and package whale meat products for consumers, tapping into the trend of culinary exploration.
3. Animal Conservation Industry - The animal conservation industry can work towards promoting ethical hunting practices, and educate the public about sustainable consumption habits to reduce negative environmental impact.