Takatsuki, the City of Shogi, Completes "Shobu Lunch & Sweets Menu Book"

Takatsuki City is preparing to host the 84th Meijin-sen Shogi title match on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, Reiwa 8 (2026). To generate excitement for this prestigious event, the city has created and started distributing a special menu book. This book compiles 'Shobu Lunch' and 'Shobu Sweets' dishes that the city hopes Meijin Sota Fujii and 9-dan Tetsuro Itodani, the participants in the title match, will enjoy.

Takatsuki City publicly solicited lunch and sweets menus from local restaurants that they would like Meijin Sota Fujii and 9-dan Tetsuro Itodani to try. After a selection committee review, 11 popular lunch items and 12 Japanese and Western sweets were chosen as 'Takatsuki Shobu Lunch & Sweets.'

The completed menu book is an A4-sized, 8-page, full-color publication. It features the menus, locations, and business hours of the 23 selected establishments. Among the appealing dishes highlighted are the 'Unagi Hitsumabushi Gozen (Tokujo)' from 'Unagiya Kaki toka Sumishi,' known for its exquisite domestic eel and homemade sauce enhanced by the aroma of binchotan charcoal; the 'Valencian Paella with Chicken and Green Beans' from 'spanish bar & cafe NEUTRAL,' selected as Japan's representative in a paella competition; the innovative chilled French toast 'Strawberry Chilled French Toast' from 'sue kitchen'; and the 'Kyodo no Hana Takatsuki-jo' (Flower of the Homeland Takatsuki Castle) from 'Meika no Sato Izutsu,' a confection shaped after the crest of Ukon Takayama, a warlord associated with Takatsuki. A map is also included, allowing visitors to enjoy strolling through the city and visiting the shops with the booklet in hand.

The guide book began distribution on Monday, May 11, Reiwa 8 (2026), at the JR Takatsuki Station Tourist Information Center, the Takatsuki City Tourist Association (inside Hankyu Takatsuki City Station), and can also be downloaded from the city's official website. Furthermore, a campaign is currently underway to predict the 'Takatsuki Shobu Lunch & Sweets' that both Shogi players will order during the Meijin-sen. An official from the Tourism City Sales Division commented, "We sincerely hope that visitors will come to Takatsuki City and enjoy the Takatsuki gourmet food savored by both players. We also encourage everyone to participate in the campaign and help liven up Takatsuki, the city of Shogi."

[Overview of Shobu Lunch & Sweets Menu Book]
Distribution Start Date: Monday, May 11, Reiwa 8 (2026)
Featured Stores: 23 stores
Distribution Locations: JR Takatsuki Station Tourist Information Center, Takatsuki City Tourist Association (inside Hankyu Takatsuki City Station), Tourism City Sales Division (8th floor, Takatsuki City Hall General Center)
* Guidebook data is also available on the city's website.

[Related Homepages]
84th Meijin-sen Takatsuki Match "Shobu Lunch & Sweets" Menu Book (Takatsuki City Website)
https://www.city.takatsuki.osaka.jp/site/shogi/176279.html
"The Next Move is This One Dish! Shobu Lunch & Sweets Grand Prediction" Campaign (Takatsuki City Website)
https://www.city.takatsuki.osaka.jp/soshiki/59/176039.html