From Hokkaido to Mumbai: Japan’s Premium Food Basket Courts India’s Gourmet Boom

Mumbai, India  – The Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai, in collaboration with the Government of Hokkaido Prefecture and the City of Sapporo, successfully hosted the Hokkaido Culinary Reception at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan in Mumbai on January 15, 2026, bringing together chefs, restaurateurs, food professionals and Japan cuisine stakeholders for an immersive showcase of Hokkaido’s premium produce and seafood.

The reception positioned Hokkaido—Japan’s northernmost prefecture—as a “treasure trove of culinary excellence,” celebrated globally for its pristine environment, rich agriculture and world-class seafood, and served as a platform to expand awareness of Hokkaido’s food identity and create business linkages with India’s hospitality and gourmet ecosystem.

A key highlight of the event was the presence of Takayuki Kano, Vice Governor of Hokkaido, who delivered opening remarks, underscoring the growing importance of Hokkaido–India cultural and economic cooperation through food and tourism.

Speaking during the reception, Vice Governor Kano said Hokkaido viewed food not only as a symbol of heritage but also as a strategic pathway to build deeper ties with India’s chefs, restaurant groups and importers. He noted that Hokkaido’s strengths lie in its clean natural environment, vast agricultural base and rich fishing grounds—qualities that allow it to deliver ingredients that are safe, reliable and premium for global markets.

The event opened with remarks by Koji Yagi, Consul General of Japan in Mumbai, who emphasised that culinary culture continues to be one of the strongest bridges connecting people of both nations and that demand for authentic Japanese ingredients in India has been steadily rising.

The reception format combined a presentation of Hokkaido products with a curated tasting session, where dishes were prepared using Hokkaido ingredients by the Official Residence Chef Kazuya Sekiguchi.

During the programme, a detailed introduction to Hokkaido and Sapporo was delivered by the Hokkaido/Sapporo Overseas Business Promotion Council, led by Makoto Takahashi, outlining why the region remains one of Japan’s most attractive and tourist-friendly destinations.

The presentation highlighted that Hokkaido has been named Japan’s “most attractive prefecture” for 17 years in a row, showcasing its natural beauty, seasonal tourism, and world-famous cuisine culture.

Industry presentations: RINKOU TRADING pushes premium seafood for global markets: The reception also spotlighted Hokkaido industry through presentations by major regional companies, including Rinkou Trading Co., Ltd., represented by Masahiro Hirano, President & Director.

In its statement, RINKOU TRADING, headquartered in Sapporo, said its core belief is “delivering fresh and high-quality Japanese ingredients to each and every customer,” and that it aims to share Hokkaido’s ingredients globally while promoting Japanese culture through gourmet food.

The company also stated that it manages the entire export cycle—from product selection and multilingual labelling to export documents—in English to reduce the communication burden for overseas partners. It added that while it currently exports mainly to Taiwan, South Korea and the United States, it is planning to expand toward India with more locally rooted services, creating an environment where consumers can appreciate Asian food culture without travelling to Japan.

RINKOU showcased some of its signature offerings such as Hokkaido scallop meat, snow crab meat, oysters, salmon, seasoned salmon roe (ikura) and sea urchin (uni)—ingredients increasingly sought after by premium Japanese restaurants and luxury hotels in India.

Another strong presentation came from HOKUREN Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, represented by Yoshihiro Shibata, focusing on Hokkaido’s dominance in Japan’s food supply chain.

The presentation noted that Hokkaido is Japan’s leading producer for several major farm outputs, including potato (82.5%), onion (67.7%), wheat (65.5%), milk (57%) and sugar beet (100%), highlighting the prefecture’s role as Japan’s agricultural powerhouse.

A platform for chefs, restaurateurs and Japanese cuisine stakeholders: Baked Arles, a Hokkaido-based confectionery maker, said it sees India as a high-potential market due to its strong dairy culture and rapid economic expansion. The company noted that India, now the world’s most populous country, is expected to sustain growth, while its dairy consumption ranks among the highest globally—creating significant headroom for premium sweets. It added that demand for high-value, quality desserts is rising in India, and sweets made with Hokkaido dairy products can strongly match evolving consumer preferences.

The reception concluded with a tasting and networking session, enabling direct interaction between Japanese stakeholders and the Indian hospitality sector, including chefs, restaurateurs, food importers and Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors.

Organisers said the reception served as a meaningful forum to build future partnerships—opening doors for deeper culinary exchanges, business collaborations and broader consumption of premium Hokkaido produce in the Indian market.

What Made the Reception Special:

• Chief Guest: Vice Governor Takayuki Kano, Hokkaido Prefecture
• Host Remarks: Consul General Koji Yagi, Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai

Programme Highlights:

• Presentation of Hokkaido products
• Tasting session using Hokkaido ingredients, prepared by Chef Kazuya Sekiguchi

Industry Showcases:

• RINKOU TRADING CO., LTD. (premium seafood exports)
• HOKUREN (Hokkaido’s farm & dairy leadership)
• Baked Arles (Hokkaido dairy-based confectionery looking to India)

Hokkaido’s Food Power in Numbers:

Hokkaido is widely regarded as Japan’s food basket, leading national output across key farm and dairy segments:

• Potato: 82.5% of Japan’s production
• Onion: 67.7%
• Wheat: 65.5%
• Milk: 57%
• Sugar Beet: 100% (Japan’s entire production)