First Champions are 'Nagasaki Oval Squid' and 'Kagoshima Chicken Sashimi': Tabechoku Announces Winners of 'Tabechoku Craft Gift Grand Prix 2026'

Tabechoku, a direct-to-consumer online platform operated by Vivid Garden Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Rina Akimoto), held the 'Tabechoku Craft Gift Grand Prix 2026' on June 9 (Tuesday) and 10 (Wednesday), 2026. A total of 86 items were submitted by producers from 29 prefectures nationwide. As Tabechoku's first competition dedicated to 'gifts', preliminary judging was conducted by Tabechoku's packaging inspection staff and several taste professionals, followed by final judging by several professional judges including buyers and about 10 Tabechoku heavy users.

This competition is organized by Tabechoku to discover and promote 'Craft Gifts' filled with dedication and stories, targeting producers nationwide.

Just as the term 'craft beer' refers to 'beer made with unique character and brewing methods', 'Craft Gift' is a new category that refers to authentic gifts filled with the producer's passion and skills. A 'Craft Gift', as Tabechoku envisions it, is neither a formal gift nor a casual, easy-to-give present, but rather a masterpiece that can be given along with its story of 'who made it and how'.

Overview of 'Tabechoku Craft Gift Grand Prix 2026'

Dates: June 9 (Tuesday) and 10 (Wednesday), 2026 Venue: Chuo-ku, Tokyo Judging Process: On June 9 (Tuesday), preliminary judging was conducted by Tabechoku's packaging inspection staff and taste professionals, selecting the top 30-40 items. On June 10 (Wednesday), the selected items were subject to final judging by professional judges such as buyers and about 10 Tabechoku heavy users.

Judging Method In the inaugural 'Craft Gift Grand Prix 2026', 86 entries were gathered from producers nationwide. After rigorous preliminary judging, the top 37 items advanced to the final round. Experts active as buyers and editors-in-chief of long-established mail-order media, along with Tabechoku heavy users who have shopped on the platform dozens of times, conducted fair judging. - Taste: Deliciousness when actually eaten - Packaging/Appearance: The look when received as a gift and the emotional experience upon opening - Story: Passion for the product, manufacturing background, and dedication (judged based on entry form descriptions)

Results List <Overall Category> Top Gold Award - Fuho (Nagasaki Prefecture) / Kujukushima Oval Squid Luxury Assortment - Kashiwa & Chicken Sashimi Specialty Store Daimazakura (Kagoshima Prefecture) / Daimazakura Tasting & Sweet Potato Set Gold Award - Nishichi Farm (Nagano Prefecture) / Apple Juice Tasting Gift Box - Nikko Suisan (Shizuoka Prefecture) / Sea Steak S1 Premium Silver Award - Tamiko's Sea Pack (FISHERMAN'S KITCHEN) (Miyagi Prefecture) / Fisherman's Selected Rich Oyster Sakamushi - Endo Livestock (Hokkaido) / Beloved Wagyu Set Delivered with a Picture Book and Story Bronze Award - Tsumugi Orchard (Gifu Prefecture) / Tsumugi's Peach Story 6-Variety Tasting Set - Second Generation Ichikawa Farm (Yamagata Prefecture) / [Original Twins Pack] Satonishiki 500g

<Gift by Scene Category> Award for Mother - San-enan (Saitama Prefecture) / Brown Rice Amazake 'Genmai ga Yume o Mita' _ Non-alcoholic - Kojinsha (Kumamoto Prefecture) / Saratama Koji - Segoshi Suisan Shinseimaru (Fukui Prefecture) / -60 Degrees Rapid Freeze! Shelled Sweet Shrimp

Award for Father - Maruwa Fish Farm (Aichi Prefecture) / Maruwa Eel Shirayaki - Nikko Suisan (Shizuoka Prefecture) / Sea Steak S1 Premium - Tsugihyaku Farm (Chiba Prefecture) / Authentic Ginger Syrup

Award for Grandparents - Maruwa Fish Farm (Aichi Prefecture) / Maruwa Eel Shirayaki - San-enan (Saitama Prefecture) / Brown Rice Amazake 'Genmai ga Yume o Mita' _ Non-alcoholic - Kashiwa & Chicken Sashimi Specialty Store Daimazakura (Kagoshima Prefecture) / Daimazakura Tasting & Sweet Potato Set

Award for Colleagues/Friends - Kashiwa & Chicken Sashimi Specialty Store Daimazakura (Kagoshima Prefecture) / Daimazakura Tasting & Sweet Potato Set - Aki Farm (Hokkaido) / Cabernet, Pinot Noir & Niagara Grape Juice - Nishichi Farm (Nagano Prefecture) / Apple Juice Tasting Gift Box

Award for Children - Nishichi Farm (Nagano Prefecture) / Apple Juice Tasting Gift Box - Moriki Farm (Shizuoka Prefecture) / Rich Farming Butter Sand Cookie - Usuba Poultry Farm (Tochigi Prefecture) / Egg Shop's Financier

Award to Express Gratitude - Endo Livestock (Hokkaido) / Beloved Wagyu Set Delivered with a Picture Book and Story - Shinguchi Farm (Ehime Prefecture) / Ehime Mandarin 100% Straight Juice - San-enan (Saitama Prefecture) / Brown Rice Amazake 'Genmai ga Yume o Mita' _ Non-alcoholic

<Gift by Preference Category> Award for Fruit Lovers - Nishichi Farm (Nagano Prefecture) / Apple Juice Tasting Gift Box - Shinguchi Farm (Ehime Prefecture) / Ehime Mandarin 100% Straight Juice - Mori Farm (Okayama Prefecture) / Okayama Prefecture Muskmelon

Award for Sweets Lovers - Tsugihyaku Farm (Chiba Prefecture) / Authentic Ginger Syrup - Kimino Fruit (Wakayama Prefecture) / First Citrus Raw Chocolate (Hassaku, Lemon) - Sanroku Hacchi (Kumamoto Prefecture) / Japanese Honeybee Kikuka - Urushiyama Orchard (Yamagata Prefecture) / Orchard-born 3 Types of Grape Gelato

Award for Alcohol Lovers - Kashiwa & Chicken Sashimi Specialty Store Daimazakura (Kagoshima Prefecture) / Daimazakura Tasting & Sweet Potato Set - Iioka Yamaichi Suisan -Oonaya- (Chiba Prefecture) / Shirasu, Shirauo Tasting Gift Set - Nachubio (Hiroshima Prefecture) / HASSAKU SAISON Craft Beer

<Gift by Story Category> Craftsmanship Award - Nikko Suisan (Shizuoka Prefecture) / Sea Steak S1 Premium - Heartich Farm (Tochigi Prefecture) / Melting Fragrant Eggplant Mala - GUILDFarm (Ehime Prefecture) / Iyokan Nectar

Sustainable Gift Award - Second Generation Ichikawa Farm (Yamagata Prefecture) / [Original Twins Pack] Satonishiki 500g - Tsumugi Orchard (Gifu Prefecture) / Tsumugi's Peach Story 6-Variety Tasting Set - Usuba Poultry Farm (Tochigi Prefecture) / Egg Shop's Financier

<Judges' Special Award Category> Tabechoku User Award - Nishichi Farm (Nagano Prefecture) / Apple Juice Tasting Gift Box - Aki Farm (Hokkaido) / Cabernet, Pinot Noir & Niagara Grape Juice - Second Generation Ichikawa Farm (Yamagata Prefecture) / [Original Twins Pack] Satonishiki 500g

Introduction of Winning Craft Gifts (Excerpt) <Overall Category> [Top Gold Award] Exhibitor: Fuho (Nagasaki Prefecture) Product Name: Kujukushima Oval Squid Luxury Assortment

Judges' Comments - Deeply moved by the natural sweetness of the oval squid that spreads the more you chew, and the high level of perfection! - Added from frozen...