A blue river running through a green valley in Awa, Tokushima

Past edition

TSUCHI FEST 2025 Awa, Tokushima

The first TSUCHI FEST — one day in Awa, Tokushima, with international guests, producers and fermentation traditions of rural Japan.

Book your place at 2026 editionRead the story
1 day
In Tokushima
7 Jun
2025
11 guests
International

The first edition

A living laboratory for exchange.

The first TSUCHI FEST brought together chefs, food artists, researchers, educators and cultural practitioners from around the world in Awa, Tokushima. Participants spent time in the region — meeting farmers and producers, exploring local ingredients, fermentation traditions and landscapes, and sharing knowledge across cultures and disciplines.  TSUCHI FEST 2025 became a living laboratory for exchange, connecting international perspectives with the knowledge, people and ecosystems of rural Japan.

A vine bridge across a deep river gorge in the Iya valley, TokushimaTerraced fields and a mountain village in bloom above the valleyA winding mountain road following the river through steep forested slopes

International guests

Eleven guests, eleven food cultures.

11 special guests — chefs, researchers and food-culture specialists from Europe, North Africa and Asia cook, talk and taste alongside Tokushima producers for one day in Awa.

  • Dr. Johnny Drain — United Kingdom

    United Kingdom

    Dr. Johnny Drain

    Materials Scientist · Fermentation Expert · Author

  • Hyun Sook Kim — South Korea

    South Korea

    Hyun Sook Kim

    Food Educator · Sensory & Taste Philosopher · Author

  • Luciano Tona — Italy

    Italy

    Luciano Tona

    Chef · Gastronomy Educator

  • Qais Malhas — Jordan

    Jordan

    Qais Malhas

    Chef · Mediterranean & Levantine Food Culture

  • Kelvin Cheung — Canada / Dubai

    Canada / Dubai

    Kelvin Cheung

    Chef · Third Culture Cuisine

  • Rube Salam — Poland

    Poland

    Rube Salam

    Executive Chef · Concept 13, Warsaw

  • Dae-woo Jeong — South Korea

    South Korea

    Dae-woo Jeong

    Chef · Nature-inspired Cuisine

  • Mi Hyun Ha — South Korea

    South Korea

    Mi Hyun Ha

    Food Artist · Fermentation & Multicultural Cuisine

  • Gai Lai Mitwichan — Thailand / Vietnam

    Thailand / Vietnam

    Gai Lai Mitwichan

    Food Artist · Thai & Vietnamese Tea & Culinary Culture Master

  • Monika Biedrzycka — Poland

    Poland

    Monika Biedrzycka

    Food & Travel Journalist  · Owner & Chief Editor of  Chefluencer.com 

  • Truong Ha Anh Vu — Vietnam

    Vietnam

    Truong Ha Anh Vu

    Education Director · VCIL Community

From the festival

Awa, June 2025.

Three days in the valley: ceremony, open kitchens, workshops and long evenings of talk under the lights.

Four guests posing together outdoors at night beside a lit wooden stallA man in ritual robes beside a wooden altar of food offerings at the opening ceremonySix guests in aprons sitting together on a stone wall in the eveningTwo artists performing large-scale calligraphy on paper as a crowd watchesTwo hosts smiling behind the wooden reception stand in the forestCooks working over large stockpots under a wooden pavilion in the woodsGuests gathered around an outdoor food stall in the forestA chef plating a large platter at a wooden stand under evening string lightsSpeakers on a wooden bench at a nighttime gathering under an illuminated canopyAn evening talk with participants seated beneath the lit wooden canopySpeakers in conversation on a wooden bench at nightA chef and colleague behind a wooden food stall displaying arancini by dayParticipants gathered around a long table under a white canopy examining produceVendors and visitors at A-frame wooden market stalls in a gravel courtyardA crowd gathered on the path between the dome-shaped wooden halls and the forested hill

Next edition

TSUCHI FEST 2026 moves to Kameoka.

The second Japanese edition takes place on 12 October 2026 in Kameoka, twenty minutes west of Kyoto Station — one day of international chefs, plant-based tastings, soil talks, workshops and a farmers' market.

Book your place at 2026 editionSee the 2026 festival