[Fukuoka Govt.] Vegan / Muslim Food Seminars & Consulting

 

Fukuoka Prefecture is implementing initiatives to support the diverse dietary needs such as vegan and halal in restaurants and lodging facilities within the prefecture. As part of this effort, a “Vegan & Muslim-Friendly Tasting Seminar” (official flyer here) will be held for local businesses.

In this seminar, experts on vegan and halal hospitality, along with business operators already offering vegan and halal menus, will serve as lecturers across four sessions, covering everything from the basics to real-life examples using Fukuoka ingredients. Both in-person and online participation are available.

In the second session, Haruko Kawano, the representative of our organization VegeProject Japan, will speak as expert in vegan matters.
Additionally, Kawano will serve as the facilitator for the third and fourth sessions.

Each seminar will also include tastings of foods and dishes suitable for vegans and Muslims.

Furthermore, participating businesses can apply for free individual support from expert advisors (limited to approx. 20 businesses, first come, first served).

Support includes recipe development tailored to each store, ingredient and supplier suggestions, multilingual menu creation, and promotion assistance. Haruko Kawano from our organization provides comprehensive advice on vegan options.

Please make use of this seminar and the individual support program as a first step to share the culinary appeal of Fukuoka with more people.

Vegan & Muslim-Friendly Tasting Seminar (All 4 Sessions)

Participation Fee: Free
How to Participate: In-person or Online
Eligibility: Restaurants, lodging facilities, food-related businesses, and tourism facilities within the prefecture
Registration URL: https://forms.gle/GUTGeNx1sLcBbTcs6
Deadline: Up to 2 days before each session (Max 100 people/session)
Organizer / Contact: First Co., Ltd. (03-6704-4760)
*Phone hours: 09:00–17:30, excluding weekends, holidays, and summer break (August 9–17)

---

[Session 1] July 29 (Tue) 14:00–16:00

Theme: Tips from Chef Goh Fukuyama and Ise Sueyoshi Owner Tanaka! Key Points for Vegan and Muslim-Friendly Service
Speakers: Mr. Go Fukuyama (Owner Chef, Goh) / Mr. Yuki Tanaka (Owner, Ise Sueyoshi)
Planned Vegan Tasting Menu: Appetizers, soup, main dishes using Fukuoka ingredients (Provided by Goh)

[Session 2] August 7 (Thu) 14:00–16:00　★Presented by Our Organization

Theme: Vegan? Muslim-Friendly? Solved All at Once! Basics and Foods Introduction
Speakers: Haruko Kawano (Representative Director, NPO VegeProject Japan), Mr. Tomohiro Sakuma (Representative Director, Halal Japan Association)
Planned Vegan Tasting Menu: Vegan-style mentaiko, tuna, yakitori (Provided by Karuna Co., Ltd.)

[Session 3] August 20 (Wed) 14:00–16:00

Theme: Learn from Examples! Local Businesses Responding to Dietary Diversity – Japanese Cuisine Edition
Speakers: Mr. Yasuhiro Noda (Director, Umenohana Group), Mr. Kazuhiro Kimmiya (Owner, Ichitaka / Ai to Unagi)
Facilitator: Haruko Kawano (Representative Director, NPO VegeProject Japan)
Planned Vegan Tasting Menu: 2–3 items from Shojin Kaiseki (Provided by Umenohana), Vegan Unagi (Provided by Ichitaka / Ai to Unagi)

[Session 4] September 4 (Thu) 14:00–16:00

Theme: Learn from Examples! Local Responses – Ramen & Sweets Edition
Speakers: Mr. Hidenobu Tomita (Executive Officer, Chikaranomoto Company), Mr. Yusaku Kominami (Owner, SoyStories)
Facilitator: Haruko Kawano (Representative Director, NPO VegeProject Japan)
Planned Vegan Tasting Menu: Ippudo plant-based ramen and dipping sauce (Chikaranomoto Company), Vegan & gluten-free sweets (SoyStories)

---

Venues:
・[Session 1] ONE FUKUOKA CONFERENCE HALL Presentation Room 1
1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F (Direct access from Tenjin Station)

・[Sessions 2–4] Reference Ekihigashi Building, 2F
1-16-14 Hakata Ekihigashi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City (4-minute walk from Chikushi Exit, Hakata Station)

---

Individual Support Program for Menu Development (Free)

Eligibility: Seminar participants (approx. 20 companies, first come, first served)
Examples of Support：
・Comprehensive consultation and advice from experts (one-on-one)
・Proposals for recipes, ingredients, and suppliers
・Creation of multilingual menus
・Support for promotion and information dissemination

Support Period: From decision until end of February 2026 (approx. 3 sessions per business)
Cost: Free