Key Facts
• November 7, 2025: JA Zen-Noh Tochigi hosted a rice promotion event in Utsunomiya.
• Event name: “Talk de Smile Festa” held at Light Cube Utsunomiya near JR Utsunomiya Station.
• Attendees: Approximately 1,000 consumers and producers participated.
• U-Ji Kouji, a comedy duo, and actress Tomoko Yamaguchi, both from Tochigi, attended.
• U-Ji Kouji received their fourth-year appointment as “Tochigi Rice Ambassadors.”
• A talk show featured U-Ji Kouji, Yamaguchi, and actress Karen Otomo from Gunma.
• Rice varieties showcased: “Koshihikari,” “Tochigi no Hoshi,” and “Nasuhikari.”
• Taste test results: Yamaguchi recommended specific pairings for each variety:
| Rice Variety | Recommended Pairing |
|——————-|—————————–|
| Nasuhikari | Salted rice balls |
| Tochigi no Hoshi | Mentaiko (spicy cod roe) |
| Koshihikari | Tamago kake gohan (egg rice)|
• Additional activity: Kindergarteners experienced making rice balls with freshly harvested rice.
Summary
On November 7, 2025, JA Zen-Noh Tochigi organized the “Talk de Smile Festa” at Light Cube Utsunomiya to promote Tochigi-produced rice. The event featured U-Ji Kouji, a comedy duo serving as “Tochigi Rice Ambassadors” for the fourth year, and actress Tomoko Yamaguchi, both from Tochigi, alongside Gunma-born actress Karen Otomo. Approximately 1,000 attendees, including consumers and producers, participated. The event highlighted the unique qualities of local rice varieties-“Koshihikari,” “Tochigi no Hoshi,” and “Nasuhikari”-through a taste test. Yamaguchi shared pairing suggestions, such as salted rice balls for “Nasuhikari” and egg rice for “Koshihikari.” Additionally, kindergarteners enjoyed a hands-on rice ball-making activity using freshly harvested rice. The event aimed to deepen consumer understanding of Tochigi rice’s appeal and boost its consumption.
