Tokyo's Rice-Centric Street Food Event
Tokyo's Tsukiji area is hosting the “Let’s Eat Rice and Smile Project” in March 2026 [https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000006.000151184.html]. It features an “onigiri ingredient tour,” Japanese sake, rice flour delicacies, and oysters. What's the event celebrating?
The "Let's Eat Rice and Smile Project" highlights the significance of rice in Japanese culture and cuisine. Onigiri, a staple made from rice, boasts a history stretching back to the Yayoi period. These rice balls were initially offered to deities as gratitude for bountiful harvests. The Tsukiji area, now hosting the event, has a rich history, originating in the Edo period after the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657. Land was reclaimed from Tokyo Bay to rebuild the city, leading to Tsukiji's creation. Tsukiji became a hub for cross-cultural exchange during the Meiji era, with a designated foreign settlement established in 1869. Before 2018, Tsukiji was globally known for its fish market, one of the largest in the world. The market's origins trace back to the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, which destroyed the original fish market in Nihonbashi. The Tsukiji Market officially opened in 1935, becoming a cornerstone of Japan's food culture. While the wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018, the outer market of Tsukiji remains a vibrant food destination. It offers many restaurants and shops beloved by locals and tourists alike. The "Let's Eat Rice and Smile Project" contributes to Tsukiji's ongoing role as a center for culinary experiences.
