[Hida City, Gifu Prefecture] Hida City Wins "Gourmet City Award 2026," First in Gifu Prefecture! Recognized for "Food Town Development" in Partnership with Producers and Citizens
岐阜県飛騨市が、一般社団法人 美食都市研究会より「美食都市アワード2026」を受賞しました。この賞は、生産者・飲食店・市民が一体となった食のまちづくりや、豊かな食材、地域課題を交流資源に変える独自の仕組みが高く評価されたものです。飛騨市は岐阜県内初の受賞であり、東海エリアでは2件目となります。
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 02:25 (15h 23m after Collected)
Hida City, Gifu Prefecture (Mayor: Junya T Sutake) has received the "Gourmet City Award 2026" selected by the Gourmet City Research Association (Location: Tokyo, Representative Director: Shinya Hashizume). Hida City was highly evaluated as a "model for gourmet cities in Japan" for its attractive ingredients nurtured by its rich nature, such as "Hida beef" and "Hida rice," as well as its unique initiatives that transform regional challenges into exchange resources and its communication activities involving producers, restaurants, and citizens working as one. This is the first award in Gifu Prefecture and the second in the Tokai region, following Taki Town, Mie Prefecture.
**Background of the Award**
Hida City has a rich natural environment, with forests covering 93% of its area, where unique food wisdom, such as the "salted preserved culture" to survive harsh winters, thrives. This award recognized initiatives that not only cherish such traditions but also connect them to solving modern challenges.
**Gourmet Land Nurtured by Rich Nature:** Vegetables that take advantage of the temperature difference between day and night, such as tomatoes and spinach, have long been popular. "Hida rice," nurtured by clear streams, is a frequent top performer in rice taste contests, and the quality of "Hida beef," with its finely marbled, melting texture, is known nationwide. The Ayu (sweetfish) from the two rivers flowing through the city are highly acclaimed in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Hida City's ingredients have been gaining attention in recent years.
**Three-Way Collaboration Activities:** Producers, restaurants, and citizens collaborate to promote direct communication of the stories behind the ingredients through initiatives like "Marugoto Shokudo" (Eat Everything Canteen) and experiential events.
**Creation of Related Population through "Hidasuke!":** Converting the difficulties faced by farmers and in food production into exchange resources. Building a sustainable community where participants from inside and outside the city support food together.
**Balancing Food and Health:** Initiatives utilizing over 245 types of "medicinal herbs" native to the city, and a low-salt project simultaneously foster citizens' health and food culture.
**Commentary from the Gourmet City Research Association (Excerpts):**
"The city's ability to attract attention by uniting producers, restaurants, and citizens, while focusing on producers and their ingredients, has been highly evaluated. Its implementation of sustainable town development through the creation of food-centric programs, expansion of exchange and related populations, and circular utilization of regional resources is extremely commendable."
**Future Schedule:**
**Award Ceremony**
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Hida City Hall, West Building, 3rd Floor, Medium Conference Room
Content: Presentation of the award certificate by Representative Director Shinya Hashizume of the Gourmet City Research Association.
**Declaration at the "Gourmet City Forum"**
Date: Scheduled for October 2026
Location: Tokyo
Content: Presentation and signing of declaration as a gourmet city by the Mayor.
**City's Comment:**
"This award is a great encouragement for Hida City's ongoing efforts in 'regional revitalization through food.'
Hida City possesses diverse ingredients nurtured by its rich nature and climate, and these have been carefully preserved and passed down through daily life and events. This award is a testament to the efforts of our producers and citizens who have carried on the traditional flavors.
Moving forward, we aim to further promote local production for local consumption and create opportunities for domestic and international visitors to experience 'Hida's food' while feeling the regional stories behind its deliciousness."
**What is the Gourmet City Award (from the Gourmet City Research Association HP):**
"The Gourmet City Award recognizes cities (population under 500,000) that are implementing advanced initiatives and serve as models for future gourmet city development, aiming to realize gastronomy cities in Japan where food culture and regional charm merge.
The award comprehensively evaluates based on 10 criteria, not just for excellent ingredients or local cuisine, but also for the creation of new specialties utilizing the local environment, the presence of globally attractive restaurants, gourmet districts, food festivals, and continuous industry promotion by the government. Particular emphasis is placed on the intentional creation of new food culture and creativity.
Through this award, we ultimately aim to foster pride in food among citizens and foster horizontal cooperation among cities that can appeal Japanese gastronomy to the world."
**Contact:**
Hida City Hall, Food Town Development Promotion Division
Phone: 0577-62-9010
Hida City, Gifu Prefecture
Hida City is a small city with a population of approximately 21,000, blessed with abundant nature, surrounded by mountains such as the Northern Alps, with forests covering about 93% of its total area. In addition to its rich natural resources, it is a treasure trove of diverse and unique regional resources, including the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Furukawa Festival and Okoshi Daiko, cosmic physics research facilities such as the "Super-Kamiokande" that contributed to a Nobel Prize in Physics, and rural townscapes that became the model for the hit animated film "Your Name."
Hida City Official Website: https://www.city.hida.gifu.jp/
Hida City Official Food Site: https://hidaichi.jp/
PRTIMES Hida City Page: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/searchrlp/company_id/120394
**Background of the Award**
Hida City has a rich natural environment, with forests covering 93% of its area, where unique food wisdom, such as the "salted preserved culture" to survive harsh winters, thrives. This award recognized initiatives that not only cherish such traditions but also connect them to solving modern challenges.
**Gourmet Land Nurtured by Rich Nature:** Vegetables that take advantage of the temperature difference between day and night, such as tomatoes and spinach, have long been popular. "Hida rice," nurtured by clear streams, is a frequent top performer in rice taste contests, and the quality of "Hida beef," with its finely marbled, melting texture, is known nationwide. The Ayu (sweetfish) from the two rivers flowing through the city are highly acclaimed in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Hida City's ingredients have been gaining attention in recent years.
**Three-Way Collaboration Activities:** Producers, restaurants, and citizens collaborate to promote direct communication of the stories behind the ingredients through initiatives like "Marugoto Shokudo" (Eat Everything Canteen) and experiential events.
**Creation of Related Population through "Hidasuke!":** Converting the difficulties faced by farmers and in food production into exchange resources. Building a sustainable community where participants from inside and outside the city support food together.
**Balancing Food and Health:** Initiatives utilizing over 245 types of "medicinal herbs" native to the city, and a low-salt project simultaneously foster citizens' health and food culture.
**Commentary from the Gourmet City Research Association (Excerpts):**
"The city's ability to attract attention by uniting producers, restaurants, and citizens, while focusing on producers and their ingredients, has been highly evaluated. Its implementation of sustainable town development through the creation of food-centric programs, expansion of exchange and related populations, and circular utilization of regional resources is extremely commendable."
**Future Schedule:**
**Award Ceremony**
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Hida City Hall, West Building, 3rd Floor, Medium Conference Room
Content: Presentation of the award certificate by Representative Director Shinya Hashizume of the Gourmet City Research Association.
**Declaration at the "Gourmet City Forum"**
Date: Scheduled for October 2026
Location: Tokyo
Content: Presentation and signing of declaration as a gourmet city by the Mayor.
**City's Comment:**
"This award is a great encouragement for Hida City's ongoing efforts in 'regional revitalization through food.'
Hida City possesses diverse ingredients nurtured by its rich nature and climate, and these have been carefully preserved and passed down through daily life and events. This award is a testament to the efforts of our producers and citizens who have carried on the traditional flavors.
Moving forward, we aim to further promote local production for local consumption and create opportunities for domestic and international visitors to experience 'Hida's food' while feeling the regional stories behind its deliciousness."
**What is the Gourmet City Award (from the Gourmet City Research Association HP):**
"The Gourmet City Award recognizes cities (population under 500,000) that are implementing advanced initiatives and serve as models for future gourmet city development, aiming to realize gastronomy cities in Japan where food culture and regional charm merge.
The award comprehensively evaluates based on 10 criteria, not just for excellent ingredients or local cuisine, but also for the creation of new specialties utilizing the local environment, the presence of globally attractive restaurants, gourmet districts, food festivals, and continuous industry promotion by the government. Particular emphasis is placed on the intentional creation of new food culture and creativity.
Through this award, we ultimately aim to foster pride in food among citizens and foster horizontal cooperation among cities that can appeal Japanese gastronomy to the world."
**Contact:**
Hida City Hall, Food Town Development Promotion Division
Phone: 0577-62-9010
Hida City, Gifu Prefecture
Hida City is a small city with a population of approximately 21,000, blessed with abundant nature, surrounded by mountains such as the Northern Alps, with forests covering about 93% of its total area. In addition to its rich natural resources, it is a treasure trove of diverse and unique regional resources, including the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Furukawa Festival and Okoshi Daiko, cosmic physics research facilities such as the "Super-Kamiokande" that contributed to a Nobel Prize in Physics, and rural townscapes that became the model for the hit animated film "Your Name."
Hida City Official Website: https://www.city.hida.gifu.jp/
Hida City Official Food Site: https://hidaichi.jp/
PRTIMES Hida City Page: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/searchrlp/company_id/120394