FamilyMart, one of Japan’s leading “Konbini” (convenience stores), is hosting a special fair to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Mie Prefecture. The “Umaiyan! Mie no Aji” (Delicious! The Taste of Mie) fair will kick off on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at approximately 2,800 stores across the Tokai and Kansai regions of Japan. The lineup features five new products that showcase the charms of Mie, ranging from traditional local meat dishes to sweets made with specialty Ise Tea and strawberries.
Certified as a “100-Year Food” of Japanese Culture! The Hearty “Yokkaichi Tonteki Bento”
“Yokkaichi Tonteki,” a soul food (locally beloved dish) from Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, has arrived as a luxurious bento lunch box. Tonteki refers to a thick-cut pork steak. This dish has been popular since the post-war era as a source of energy for workers and is a precious food culture officially certified by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs as a “100-Year Food.”
This product is officially recognized by the local “Yokkaichi Tonteki Association.” The sweet and savory special sauce, based on Worcestershire sauce, coats the tender and juicy pork loin, creating an authentic flavor that pairs perfectly with white rice. This is a limited-quantity release, so be sure to try it soon if you want to experience a “gutsy” Japanese gourmet meal.
- Product Name: Yokkaichi Tonteki Association Certified Yokkaichi Tonteki Bento
- Price: 798 yen (Approx. $5.32 USD)
- Release Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
- Availability: Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Shizuoka (partial), Kyoto (partial), and Wakayama (partial) prefectures.
- Tonteki Association – Yokkaichi Tonteki Association Official Website 🇯🇵
Rich Aroma of Soybean Miso! The Overwhelming Satisfaction of “Kameyama Miso Yaki Udon”
Next is the “Kameyama Miso Yaki Udon,” which has been loved for generations in Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture. Originally created as a finishing dish at yakiniku (BBQ) restaurants, this menu item is also certified as a “100-Year Food.”
The key to this dish is the rich sauce made from “Mame-miso” (Soybean Miso) unique to this region. The thick noodles (udon) are thoroughly coated in the deep, savory miso sauce, releasing an appetizing aroma. The noodles weigh approximately 300g (about 10.6 oz), providing great volume. Through a collaboration with the local group “Kameyama Miso Yaki Udon Honpo,” the authentic local taste can now be easily enjoyed at a convenience store.
- Product Name: Kameyama Miso Yaki Udon Honpo Certified Kameyama Miso Yaki Udon
- Price: 550 yen (Approx. $3.67 USD)
- Release Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
- Availability: Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Shizuoka (partial), Kyoto (partial), and Wakayama (partial) prefectures.
- Kameyama Miso Yaki Udon Honpo Official Website 🇯🇵
Taste the Bounty of the Sea! Mie-produced Aosa Seaweed “Onigiri”
Mie Prefecture is known as the top producer of “Aosa” (Sea Lettuce) in Japan. Capturing the rich scent of the ocean, the “Hand-rolled Mie Aosa Seaweed Tsukudani” is a new addition to Japan’s soul food, the “Onigiri” (Rice Ball).
The filling is “Tsukudani”—seaweed simmered slowly in soy sauce and sugar. The seasoning is kept simple to highlight the natural oceanic aroma of the Aosa. The crisp seaweed wrap and the mellow flavor of the sea lettuce spread through your mouth, allowing you to feel the nature of Mie in every bite.
- Product Name: Hand-rolled Mie Aosa Seaweed Tsukudani
- Price: 228 yen (Approx. $1.52 USD)
- Release Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
- Availability: Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Shizuoka (partial), Kyoto (partial), and Wakayama (partial) prefectures.
Featuring Premium Mie Strawberries! “Kaorino” Strawberry Fuwa-Mochi Roll
For dessert lovers, we recommend the roll cake featuring the “Kaorino” strawberry variety developed in Mie Prefecture. As the name suggests (“Kaori” means fragrance), it is a premium strawberry known for its exceptional aroma.
The milk-flavored cake sponge has a unique “Fuwa-mochi” (fluffy and chewy) texture typical of Japanese konbini sweets. Inside is a tart and sweet strawberry gelee that releases a fruity fragrance with every bite. The pack contains four bite-sized pieces, making it perfect for sharing with friends or family.
- Product Name: Strawberry Milk Fuwa-Mochi Roll with Mie Kaorino Strawberry (4 pieces)
- Price: 198 yen (Approx. $1.32 USD)
- Release Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
- Availability: Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Shizuoka (partial), and Wakayama (partial) prefectures.
1.3x More Cream! A Luxurious Cream Puff Featuring Premium “Ise Tea”
Finally, we introduce the “Double Cream Puff with Plenty of Cream! Mie Ise Tea,” which generously uses “Ise Tea,” the high-quality green tea that Mie Prefecture is proud of.
The most surprising feature of this dessert is that it contains approximately 1.3 times the cream weight of FamilyMart’s standard cream puffs. Inside, you’ll find plenty of rich custard cream made with Ise Tea alongside smooth whipped cream. It balances the characteristic deep bitterness and richness of Ise Tea, creating a “rewarding dessert for adults” that isn’t overly sweet.
- Product Name: Double Cream Puff with Plenty of Cream! Mie Ise Tea
- Price: 248 yen (Approx. $1.65 USD)
- Release Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
- Availability: Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Shizuoka (partial), Kyoto (partial), and Wakayama (partial) prefectures.
Mie Prefecture 150th Anniversary: Connecting History to the Future
Mie Prefecture will celebrate its 150th anniversary on April 18, 2026. Its history is a journey of protecting tradition while taking on new challenges. The gourmet items featured in this fair are part of a precious culture preserved by local volunteer groups with the hope of “passing on the greatness of our hometown to the next generation.”
Under the new slogan “Ichiban Challenge,” aiming to be the most loved presence in the community, FamilyMart is supporting this monumental milestone. Why not rediscover the charm of Mie through these limited-time special flavors? These exclusive products are only available in this region of Japan, so if you visit the Tokai or Kansai areas, be sure to check them out at a nearby store.
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