In 2025, a major event that gathers confectionaries from all over Japan will be held in Asahikawa, Hokkaido! The National Confectionary Exposition, a confectionary festival held approximately once every four years, will be held for 17 days from May 30 to June 15, 2025, at the Asahikawa Daisetsu Arena as its main venue. This event will be held in Hokkaido for the first time in 57 years. In this issue, we will introduce details and highlights of the event.

The 2025 event will be held in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido.

The official name of the "Asahikawa Confectionary Expo 2025" to be held in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido in 2025 is the "28th National Confectionary Exposition in Hokkaido. Since 1911, the National Confectionary Exposition has been held once every four years for the purpose of promoting the confectionary industry and revitalizing the region, and although the event had been postponed due to the spread of the new coronavirus since it was held in Mie in 2017, this will be the first time in eight years.

Main venue "Dohoku Arcs Taisetsu Arena

Image of the venue

The three venues for the Asahikawa Confectionary Expo 2025 are the Dohoku Arcs Taisetsu Arena (Asahikawa Taisetsu Arena), Asahikawa Local Industry Promotion Center (Roadside Station Asahikawa), and Asahikawa City Taisetsu Crystal Hall. The main venue, the Dohoku Arcs Taisetsu Arena, will host an exhibition of sweets from all over Japan.

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Two white rock domes, one large and one small, will appear inside the Taisetsu Arena. Inside the small dome, "origami cranes" folded with wrapping paper from participating Confectionary Expo stores will be placed with a prayer for peace. In the main dome, the walls will be filled with a variety of Japanese and Western sweets and projection mapping of Hokkaido's vast pastures, fields, and agricultural products, enveloping visitors.

Asahikawa Confectionary Expo 2025 image / Mie "Oise-san Expo" in 2017

Also inside the dome, sweets that can only be purchased in each region of Japan are sold. It is a large scale that can only be seen at the Confectionary Expo.

Mie "Oise-san Expo" in 2017

A confectionary exhibition that brings together the skills of confectionary artisans from all over Japan. Visitors can see approximately 80 large crafted confectionaries created using traditional techniques.

Mie "Oise-san Exposition" in 2017

At "Sweets Family Land Hokkaido," where major confectionery makers will be exhibiting, both adults and children can enjoy games and sampling of unusual sweets.

Confectionery demonstrations and tastings are offered. Visitors can observe confectionery making in a mini factory.

Mie "Oise-san Exposition" in 2017

Among the thousands of confectionary entries from all over Japan, the products that won awards from various organizations will be on display.

Shimae Daifuku, a Daifuku fairy that looks just like a striped egret, was chosen as the official character with 4,469 votes from among the candidates. Plans are in the works to produce original goods and have her appear in a stuffed animal costume to promote the Asahikawa Confectionary Expo at events throughout Japan.

Advance tickets are now on sale. The price is 1,200 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for junior high and high school students, and 600 yen for elementary school students. Advance ticket purchasers may also receive special offers at stores and facilities in Asahikawa, Sapporo and other parts of Hokkaido. In addition to confectionary stores, various facilities such as ramen stores and clothing stores are also eligible. Show the advance ticket to receive the service as many times as you like, so if you want to purchase, advance tickets are the best deal.

The "Asahikawa Confectionary Expo 2025" is currently accepting applications for the official theme song that will liven up the event. The song selected as the grand prize winner will be widely publicized as the official main theme song, distributed and introduced at the event site and in various media. The entry period is from Wednesday, July 17 to Monday, September 16. The results will be announced in late November.

Image provided by: The 28th National Confectionary Exposition, Hokkaido Organizing Committee

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