Students from Kesennuma High School in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, have designed a special bento (Japanese lunch box) called “Sanma Umaine! Shokkan Yuzu Gozen” (Delicious Pacific Saury! Textured Yuzu Set), packed with the best of local flavors. This product will be available for a limited time starting February 25, 2026, at a total of 219 locations across the Tohoku region, including major retailer AEON and convenience stores (konbini) like MINISTOP.
Connecting Japanese Food Culture to the Next Generation: The “Local Production for Local Consumption” Bento Contest
Miyagi Prefecture annually hosts the “High School Student Local Production for Local Consumption Bento Contest,” where local students compete to create menus using regional ingredients. The concept of “Chisan-Chisho” (local production, local consumption) is a traditional Japanese approach to food education, emphasizing the use of ingredients grown within the community.
In its 15th year, the contest saw participation from 86 teams across 17 schools. The team from Kesennuma High School emerged as an Excellence Award winner, earning the right to have their creation commercialized. AEON has faithfully reproduced the students’ original recipe using professional techniques.
A Feast for the Senses: The Artistry of the “Sanma Umaine! Shokkan Yuzu Gozen”
This bento is meticulously crafted to highlight not just taste, but also “texture” and “aroma.”
Yuzu-Scented Sanma Rice (Staple)
The main rice dish features Sanma (Pacific Saury), a representative Japanese fish loved during the autumn and winter seasons, sourced from Miyagi Prefecture. The rich, fatty flavor of the sanma is paired with the refreshing fragrance of Yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit), ensuring every bite remains light and enjoyable until the very end.
Miso Hamburg (Main Dish)
The main protein is a Salisbury steak-style “Hamburg” flavored with Miso, a traditional Japanese fermented soybean paste. By mixing in walnuts and lotus root, the students created a rhythmic, crunchy, and crisp texture that makes the meal fun to eat.
Colorful and Nutritionally Balanced Side Dishes
Three vibrant side dishes add a splash of color and balance to the entire bento:
- Carrot and Shirasu Rapée: A refreshing salad featuring Shirasu (whitebait/baby sardines) from Miyagi.
- Pumpkin Salad: A dish that brings out the natural sweetness of the ingredient.
- Komatsuna and Chikuwa with Salted Kelp: A Japanese-style tossed salad using Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) and fish cake, flavored with the savory “umami” of kelp.
Sales Overview and Participating Stores
This special bento is available at the following locations within the Tohoku area:
- Product Name: Sanma Umaine! Shokkan Yuzu Gozen
- Price: 598 yen (645.84 yen including tax) (approx. $4.00)
- Sales Period: Limited time from Wednesday, February 25, to Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
- Sales Area: 219 stores in total
- MINISTOP: Locations in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures.
- AEON, AEON STYLE, AEON SUPERCENTER: Locations within Miyagi Prefecture.
Initiatives for Regional Revitalization
Miyagi Prefecture and AEON signed a “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement for Regional Revitalization” in 2010 and have since continued activities to promote the charm of local ingredients. This project serves as a platform for young people to rediscover the strengths of their hometown and share them with a wider audience.
Prior to the launch, an official product presentation will be held at the Miyagi Prefectural Government Office on February 24. We invite you to experience this bento, where the creativity of Japanese high schoolers meets the freshness of regional ingredients.
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