Hotel Okura Kobe, located in Meriken Park, is set to host an exciting culinary event, the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair,' from June 1 to June 30, 2025. This fair will showcase special menus featuring seasonal ingredients from Ibaraki Prefecture, celebrating the 15th anniversary of Ibaraki Airport's opening. The event aims to highlight the rich flavors and culinary diversity of Ibaraki while enticing food lovers to indulge in unique dining experiences.
The 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair' will feature a variety of limited-time special menus crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients from both Ibaraki and Hyogo Prefectures. Guests can expect to enjoy exquisite dishes at different restaurants within the hotel, including the teppanyaki restaurant 'Sazanka' on the 35th floor and the Chinese restaurant 'To-Ka-Lin' on the 3rd floor. Both establishments will offer course meals that incorporate Ibaraki's renowned brand beef, 'Hitachi beef,' and brand pork, 'Joyful Pork of Hitachi.'
At 'Sazanka,' the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair Special Lunch' will be available for 6,500 yen, while the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair Special Dinner' will be priced at 25,000 yen. The restaurant operates lunch from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (last order at 2:30 PM) and dinner from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (last order at 8:00 PM). Reservations can be made at 078-333-3528.
Meanwhile, 'To-Ka-Lin' will serve the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair Lunch' at 5,000 yen and the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair Dinner' at 20,000 yen, with the same operating hours as 'Sazanka.' For inquiries, call 078-333-3526.
The lobby floor's cafe restaurant, 'Camelia,' will also participate by offering special menus that blend Ibaraki and Hyogo ingredients. Diners can try the 'Awaji Beef and Hitachi Beef Burger' priced at 4,000 yen and 'Kobe Pork Shabu-Shabu and Joyful Pork of Hitachi Cutlet Curry' at 3,500 yen. The cafe is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (last order at 9:00 PM), with reservations available at 078-333-3522.
Japanese cuisine enthusiasts can indulge at 'Sanri' on the first floor, which will feature the 'Hitachi Akisoba Gozen.' This dish allows guests to savor the famous 'Hitachi Akisoba' alongside tempura. Other offerings include 'Hitachi Joyful Roast Cutlet Gozen' and 'Ibaraki Prefecture Kasumigaura White Fish Tempura Gozen.' The prices for these dishes are 3,800 yen, 4,500 yen, and 4,300 yen, respectively, with the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair Special Kaiseki' priced at 20,000 yen. 'Sanri' operates lunch from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (last order at 2:30 PM) and dinner from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (last order at 8:00 PM). For inquiries, call 078-333-3527, noting that the restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.
For those looking to unwind with a drink, the Main Bar Emerald will offer the 'Ibaraki Melon Sidecar,' a twist on the classic cocktail, priced at 3,500 yen. The bar's hours are from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM (last order at 10:00 PM), with reservations at 078-333-3524.
Additionally, 'Camelia' will have a takeout corner featuring a 'Sweet Potato Dessert' made from large pieces of Ibaraki sweet potatoes simmered in syrup, available for 340 yen. The takeout service operates from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with inquiries at 078-333-3522.
To further engage visitors, a campaign will be held during the fair where diners can win prizes, including 'Kobe-Ibaraki Round-Trip Travel Tickets' and accommodation vouchers at Hotel Nikko Tsukuba. Customers who order from the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Fair' menus, 'Special Course Tasting Featuring Ibaraki Prefecture Delicacies,' or 'Ibaraki Prefecture Melon Sweets Buffet' will be eligible to participate in this draw by completing a questionnaire.
Prizes for the campaign include: 2 pairs of round-trip air tickets between Kobe and Ibaraki (Skymark), 2 pairs of accommodation tickets at Hotel Nikko Tsukuba (with breakfast), lunch pair invitation tickets for the Buffet Restaurant Ariake, Ibaraki specialty products (melons), and plush toys of the hotel mascot bear 'Orton.' The campaign runs from June 1 to June 30, 2025.
Before the fair begins, an Instagram campaign will also take place on Hotel Okura's official account (@hotelokurakobe), allowing followers to win invitations to the 'Ibaraki Prefecture Melon Sweets Buffet' by liking a specific post. This campaign will run from April 19 to May 11, 2025.
In addition to the fair, Ibaraki Town in Ibaraki Prefecture has begun shipping its sweet melons as of March 24, 2025. The area is renowned for its melon production, ranking first in Japan. Melons are cultivated in greenhouses that benefit from the town's well-drained soil. Approximately 3 tons of 'Otome Melon,' known for its sweetness and refreshing aftertaste, and 'Renon Melon,' recognized for its thick and juicy flesh, were delivered to the JA collection area.
According to JA representatives, this year's melons have achieved high sugar content due to a long period of sunshine despite experiencing several days of low temperatures. Melon farmer Iori Shimizu expressed his dedication, stating, "The winter had large temperature differences between warm and cold days, and it was difficult to manage the temperature inside the greenhouse, but I want many people to taste the melons that I have grown with all my heart."
Takafumi Kaneko, chairman of the JA Mito Ibaraki Town Melon Association, added, "We are relieved that we were able to ship melons as usual. We will continue to do our best as shipments will continue." Melons from Ibaraki Town are expected to peak in shipments around the end of May 2025, reaching markets in Tokyo, Niigata, and beyond.
This fair promises to be a delightful opportunity for food enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience the unique flavors of Ibaraki Prefecture. With a range of special menus and a chance to win exciting prizes, visitors are encouraged to mark their calendars and explore the culinary offerings at Hotel Okura Kobe this June.
