WASHOKU: Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine Admission Ticket (Kumamoto Prefecture, Event)
First time in Kyushu!
An encyclopedia-like exhibition that explores the unknown diversity of Japanese cuisine.
Washoku, or Japanese cuisine, was established and developed uniquely against the backdrop of the diverse natural environment of the Japanese archipelago and the wisdom and history of the people who live there. It is still evolving today, as it flexibly accepts foreign food cultures.
Twelve years after being registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) has been attracting increasing attention from around the world.
This program vividly introduces the charm of Japanese cuisine, which may seem familiar but is surprisingly unknown, through its diverse ingredients, people's wisdom and ingenuity, historical changes, and challenges for the future.
In addition, the Kumamoto venue will host exhibitions and events exclusive to the venue, including contemporary art pieces that look at today's rapidly changing world through the lens of food, as well as an exhibition focusing on food from Kumamoto and Kyushu.
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
- "Japanese cuisine: Japanese nature and people's wisdom" -
Highlight ①
The keyword is "diversity." A close-up look at the ingredients cultivated in the archipelago!
Water is the basis of food, along with mushrooms, wild plants, vegetables, seaweed, and seafood. This program will introduce the rich ingredients that the Japanese archipelago, home to one of the world's greatest biodiversity, has to offer, as well as the fermentation techniques and dashi soup stocks that have been created through the country's tireless pursuit of food, from a scientific perspective.
Highlight ②
Trace the evolution of Japanese cuisine!
Ever since people began living in the Japanese archipelago, a uniquely Japanese food culture has been formed while being influenced by the natural and social environment. We will unravel the history of washoku, which has developed from the Jomon period to the present day through people's wisdom, hospitality, and exchange with the world.
Highlight 3
What do you think? "My Japanese Cuisine"
Are ramen, curry, omurice, etc. Japanese food? The definition of "Japanese food" changes depending on the era and region. Based on the results of the survey "Is this Japanese food?", we will think again about what Japanese food is and ask visitors to think about it together.
Highlight 4
Kumamoto × Japanese cuisine
We are planning a number of content and events that are exclusive to the Kumamoto venue. Please look out for original content such as contemporary art pieces that consider the rapidly changing modern world through food, related events focusing on the food of Kyushu and Kumamoto, and the viewing support tool "AtoMiru."
-Event period-
- July 19, 2025 (Sat) - September 23, 2025 (Tuesday/Holiday)
-Closed days-
- *However, the museum will be open on Tuesday, September 23rd (National Holiday)
-Opening hours-
- 10:00–20:00 (entrance to exhibition until 19:30)
-Venue-
- Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto
-Image at top of page-
1st photo: Japanese food exhibition logo
2nd photo: Cherry blossom viewing bento from the Edo period, Kita-ku Asukayama Museum collection (Tokyo venue)
3rd photo: Etsuko Ichihara "Future SUSHI" 2022 (part) Photo: Masashi Kuroba
4th photo: A replica of the main meal that Oda Nobunaga served to Tokugawa Ieyasu, supervised by Okumura Hideo, owned by Miketsukuni Wakasa Obama Food Culture Museum
5th photo: Seafood display (Aichi venue)
6th photo: Replica of various local radishes, National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo venue)
7th photo: Seaweed display (Tokyo venue)
8th photo: Restaurant rankings from the late Edo period, Oe Bunko Library, Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University
9th photo: Reproduction of a food stall from the Edo period (Tokyo venue)
10th photo: Replica of Bakamatsutake mushroom, National Museum of Nature and Science
A replica of the Matsutake mushroom from the National Museum of Nature and Science
Replica of various local radishes, National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo venue)
Seafood display (Aichi venue)
Seaweed display (Tokyo venue)
Microscopic image of Aspergillus oryzae
A replica of the main meal that Oda Nobunaga served to Tokugawa Ieyasu, supervised by Okumura Hideo, owned by Miketsukuni Wakasa Obama Food Culture Museum
Recreating a food stall from the Edo period (Tokyo venue)
Restaurant Rankings, Late Edo Period, Oe Bunko Collection, Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University Library
Cherry blossom viewing bento from the Edo period, Kita-ku Asukayama Museum (Tokyo venue)
Etsuko Ichihara "Future SUSHI" 2022 (detail) Photo: Masashi Kuroba
Purchase Notice
- Tickets cannot be shared. If you plan to visit on multiple days or with other people, please purchase separate tickets in advance.
How to Redeem Your Voucher
How to Use Your Voucher
- Please click on the redemption link in the order confirmation email, enter the verification code (skip this step if you have already logged in), and follow the on-site staff's instructions to complete the Swipe to Redeem process
Voucher Redemption Period
- Valid for redemption within the specified period: 2025-07-19 ~ 2025-09-23; Invalid after expiration
Experience Location
Location Name: Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto
Address: 2-3 Kamitorimachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto PrefectureCancellation Policy
- Once the order has been completed, it cannot be canceled, modified, or refunded
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
Get Help
