2026.11.03

Vegan Catering Seminar in Kurayoshi City, Tottori ＆ City’s Subsidy

On Tuesday, November 24, 2026, a “Vegan Catering Seminar” organized by the Kurayoshi Tourism MICE Association will be held. The seminar is aimed at restaurants in Kurayoshi City that are considering offering vegan menu items (dishes made without animal-derived ingredients), and attendance is free. Haruko Kawano, Representative Director of VegeProject Japan, and Yukichi Fukui, Chair of the Tottori Prefecture No. 1 Vegan Project Promotion Council, will serve as lecturers.

Vegans, who do not eat anything derived from animals, and vegetarians, who do not eat meat or seafood, have been visiting Tottori more often. For this reason, the seminar is being held to support restaurants that are working on developing vegan menu items. Through classroom lectures and hands-on cooking practice, participants can learn hints for coming up with new menu items, as well as know-how for meeting the demand for vegan dishes, which is expected to keep growing.

Flyer for the vegan catering seminar to be held in Kurayoshi City on November 24, 2026. Attendance is free, and the venue is Uwanada Community Center Flyer for the “Vegan Catering Seminar”

Restaurants Getting Ready to Host Visitors for the World Masters Games 2027 Kansai

At the World Masters Games 2027 Kansai, to be held in May 2027, cycling events will take place in Kurayoshi City.

• Track events: May 19–22, 2027 (Kurayoshi Cycling Track)
• Road race: May 23, 2027 (Kurayoshi-Hokuei Roadrace Course)

Among the athletes, family members, and other people visiting for the Games, some follow a vegan lifestyle. To help vegans, and the people who dine with them, enjoy their meals with peace of mind, it is important for restaurants in the city to get ready to host them. Restaurants are encouraged to start by creating even one vegan menu item; there is no need to become a specialized vegan restaurant.

Flyer for restaurants in Kurayoshi City, introducing vegan menu items and the subsidy program

Kurayoshi City Subsidy Program Supporting Menu Development Costs

Kurayoshi City runs a subsidy program to improve the environment for receiving inbound visitors: the Kurayoshi City Support Program for Visitor Reception Environment Improvement (倉吉市観光客等受入環境整備支援事業). It supports costs such as menu development. Costs for developing vegan menu items and for preparing to receive visitors may also be eligible. Examples of eligible activities include developing and prototyping vegan menu items and providing menus in multiple languages.

For details such as eligible expenses, subsidy rates, maximum amounts, and application periods, please check the Kurayoshi City website.

Speakers

Yukichi Fukui
Chair, Tottori Prefecture No. 1 Vegan Project Promotion Council; Representative of Daruma no Ki, a restaurant specializing in vegan wellness cuisine

Fukui entered the culinary world at age 15 and has gained many years of experience in food service. In Tottori City, working with government officials and tourism stakeholders, Fukui has promoted the whole process, from developing vegan menu items at restaurants to cooking guidance and introducing the menu items at the restaurants. Ahead of the World Masters Games 2027 Kansai, Fukui is expanding these efforts to the central and western parts of Tottori Prefecture and advancing vegan catering that is rooted in the local community.

On July 7, 2026, an event was held at Tottori City Hall to celebrate Tottori City achieving the highest number of restaurants offering vegan menus per capita in Japan. For details, please see the report article.

Haruko Kawano
Representative Director, VegeProject Japan

While studying at Kyoto University, Haruko Kawano founded VegeProject Japan. For more than 10 years, Kawano has been promoting the creation of vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based options. Drawing on expertise in catering to vegetarians and vegans and a network of international organizations, Kawano is active in areas such as consulting on vegan product development for universities, restaurants, and companies, and taking part as an expert in projects run by national and local governments. Kawano also serves as Vice Chair of the Tottori Prefecture No. 1 Vegan Project Promotion Council.

Seminar Details (Vegan Catering Seminar)

Vegan Catering Seminar

• Date and time: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

• Venue: Uwanada Community Center (9-1 Uwanada-cho, Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture)

• Eligible participants: Restaurants in Kurayoshi City that are considering offering vegan menu items

• Capacity: Up to 30 people

• Participation fee: Free

• Speakers
Yukichi Fukui (Chair, Tottori Prefecture No. 1 Vegan Project Promotion Council)
Haruko Kawano (Representative Director, VegeProject Japan)

• How to apply: Please apply using this application form

• Contact: Kurayoshi Tourism MICE Association (person in charge: Kurashige)
2568-1 Uomachi, Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture 682-0821
Phone: 0858-24-5371

Social Gathering in Tottori City with Vegan Dinner

On the evening of the same day, Tuesday, November 24, a social gathering attended by our representative will be held at Dining Bar Connect in Tottori City. Participation is open to members of the Tottori Prefecture No. 1 Vegan Project Promotion Council. People who would like to become members on this occasion are also welcome.

At the gathering, participants plan to discuss how vegan options in Tottori will develop from here, as well as the current state of vegan food and the latest trends, and to get to know one another better.

Flyer for the social gathering for members of the Tottori Prefecture No. 1 Vegan Project Promotion Council