One of the greatest joys of traveling in Japan is undoubtedly the food. But beyond famous restaurants, there is an unexpected place where you can experience the depth of Japanese food culture: the convenience store. Japanese convenience stores often collaborate with local regions to create products featuring local ingredients and dishes in “regional fairs,” offering travelers a perfect chance to easily try authentic local flavors.
Starting October 14, 2025, the major convenience store chain FamilyMart will launch its “Eat Ibaraki” Fair, shining a spotlight on Ibaraki Prefecture, located just northeast of Japan’s capital, Tokyo. This fair is exclusive to approximately 7,000 FamilyMart stores in the Hokkaido, Tohoku (northeast), and Kanto (including Tokyo) regions, making it a must-see for anyone visiting these areas. As product availability varies by region, please use this guide to find the items you’re looking for!
The Fair’s Main Attraction: A New Local Delicacy, “Kenchin-man”
The star of this fair is a unique product called “Kenchin-man” (178 JPY, tax included). This item was created based on an idea that won third place in the “Shin-Ibaraki Meshi General Election 2024,” a contest to decide new specialty dishes for Ibaraki Prefecture.
“Kenchin” refers to “Kenchin-jiru,” a traditional Japanese vegetable soup made by sautéing root vegetables like daikon radish and carrots, along with tofu and konnyaku, and simmering them in a soy sauce-based broth. It is especially popular as a local comfort food in Ibaraki. The “Kenchin-man” reimagines this hearty, ingredient-rich soup as a filling for a “chukaman” (steamed bun), a popular hot snack in Japan. The soft, fluffy bun is filled with the gentle sweetness of vegetables and the rich, savory flavor of soy sauce and miso, making it a perfect, heartwarming treat for the colder seasons.
【Sales Region】 This product will be the most widely available item in the fair, sold across Hokkaido, the entire Tohoku region, the entire Kanto region (including Tokyo), and Niigata Prefecture.
A Lineup of Delicious Products Featuring Ibaraki’s Finest Ingredients
In addition to “Kenchin-man,” the fair will feature a series of other appealing products that make use of Ibaraki’s abundant agricultural resources.
Torikawa Omusubi (Chicken Skin Rice Ball)
While “omusubi” (or onigiri) is a staple Japanese snack, this version is special. Priced at 185 JPY (tax included), it uses the skin of “Tsukuba-dori,” a brand of chicken from Ibaraki. The chicken skin is grilled until fragrant and either mixed into the rice or placed inside as a filling. The savory aroma of the grilled skin combined with a slightly sweet sauce is sure to stimulate your appetite.
【Sales Region】 Available mainly in the Kanto region, including Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma, as well as select stores in Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa.
Amakara Tare no Tsukuba-dori Don (Tsukuba Chicken Donburi with Sweet and Savory Sauce)
This bento box meal (598 JPY, tax included) also features the “Tsukuba-dori” chicken. A “donburi” is a classic Japanese meal consisting of a bowl of rice topped with various ingredients. This version offers three different styles of chicken: “tori soboro” (seasoned ground chicken), “tsukune” (chicken meatball), and chicken breast, all flavored with a sweet and savory sauce. It’s a dish where you can enjoy multiple textures and tastes of chicken at once.
【Sales Region】 Available in Ibaraki and Chiba, plus select stores in Saitama and Tokyo. It will be easiest to find when visiting Ibaraki, the home of Tsukuba-dori chicken.
Ibaraki-ken San Daikon Shiyo Miso Kenchin Udon (Miso Kenchin Udon with Ibaraki-Grown Daikon Radish)
This dish (554 JPY, tax included) combines the “kenchin” concept with another Japanese staple, “udon” noodles. A rich, miso-based soup is filled with plenty of vegetables, including daikon radish grown in Ibaraki. The thick, chewy udon noodles pair perfectly with the hearty ingredients, creating a satisfying and filling meal.
【Sales Region】 This will be available widely across the Kanto region, including Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and select stores in Kanagawa.
O-imo no Donut (Ibaraki-ken San Beni Haruka) (Sweet Potato Donut with Beni Haruka from Ibaraki)
A representative flavor of autumn in Japan is the sweet potato. This donut (158 JPY, tax included) is made with “Beni Haruka,” a very popular variety of sweet potato from Ibaraki known for its intense sweetness and moist texture. A paste made from this sweet potato is kneaded into the donut dough, resulting in a fluffy, moist treat filled with a gentle, natural sweetness.
【Sales Region】 Primarily available in Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma, and can also be found in select stores in Saitama, Chiba, and Tokyo.
Japanese convenience stores are more than just places of convenience; they are showcases of local food culture. If you find yourself at a FamilyMart in Hokkaido, Tohoku, or the Kanto region during your travels, be sure to look for the “Eat Ibaraki” fair. It’s a special culinary experience, different from what you would find in a restaurant, that allows you to taste the authentic, everyday flavors of Japan.
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