Omotenashi Selection 2026: First Session Lineup

It is once again time for the highly anticipated first biannual OMOTENASHI Selection announcement, highlighting excellence in the world of Japanese craftsmanship and hospitality. As usual, this session gathers the highest-quality products and experiences across the country that embody the spirit of omotenashi, Japan’s dedication to both artistry and hospitality. This curation features 149 prizes from 37 of the 47 prefectures of Japan, and many of the featured selections this time are locally rooted small
and medium-sized enterprises, many of whom are looking to expand their sales to international markets.

We are delighted to share the final choice of awardees and their incredible innovations and creations. The selections from this section span a wide variety of genres and regions, so prepare to journey across Japan through some truly special artisan creations.

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

Grand Gold Award

1. Cold Reactive Sakura Series: Gifu Prefecture

Excerpt of evaluation by foreign judges:

The “Cold Reactive Sakura Series” is an innovative product by MARUMO TAKAGI Co.,Ltd, a company with over 130 years of history in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, that combines the traditional techniques of Mino ware with modern temperature-sensitive technology. This series transcends the realm of mere tableware, transforming everyday moments into dramatic “omotenashi” experiences. Its greatest charm lies in its magical mechanism that changes appearance with temperature; when the vessel drops below 17°C, vivid pink cherry blossoms bloom one after another on jet-black branches. This visual surprise is the ultimate communication tool, delivering smiles and amazement to people worldwide without the need for words.

2. KONOKUNI sake lees cheese cake: Shiga Prefecture

Excerpt of evaluation by foreign judges:

The “KONOKUNI sake lees cheese cake” is a rare type of cheesecake that luxuriously uses carefully selected sake lees and local sake from six breweries around Lake Biwa, drawing out the flavors slowly with cream cheese. The unique aromas and flavors of each brewery blend exquisitely with the rich taste of the cheese, creating a deep flavor profile. This product is based on the unique concept of enjoying “sake lees tasting,” with the rich aroma derived from sake lees spreading with each bite. Local ingredients are actively incorporated, and by reusing sake lees that were previously discarded, consideration is given to sustainable development.

3. Oncha Relieving Tea Steam Pack: Saitama Prefecture

Excerpt of evaluation by foreign judges:

The “Oncha Relieving Tea Steam Pack” is a product devised by an aromatherapist who is also a perfumer, aiming to gently heal the fatigue, eye strain, shoulder stiffness, coldness, and mental tension of modern people encountered in daily salon work, making it accessible for home use. The scents used are uniquely Japanese, featuring Sayama tea, roasted green tea, and black tea, each offering a natural and gentle aroma that engages the senses with warmth, providing a sense of security and comfort.

4. Jet Monster Micro Dryer 02: Tokyo

Excerpt of evaluation by foreign judges:

Designed to challenge the conventional wisdom that hair dryers must rely on heat, this product was engineered to protect hair from thermal damage. By utilizing an overwhelmingly powerful airflow generated by a high-performance motor to swiftly blast away moisture, it dries hair instantly from the roots while preventing over-drying and heat damage caused by high temperatures. Optimized for modern lifestyles, this single device delivers a quick finish during busy daily routines while gently caring for both hair and scalp. Weighing an ultra-lightweight 285g (excluding the cord), it features an ergonomic design engineered to prevent arm fatigue even during extended use.

5. KOKO HOTELS Original JAPANESE UMAMI “DASHI” SOUP: Tokyo

Excerpt of evaluation by foreign judges:

The “KOKO HOTELS Original JAPANESE UMAMI ‘DASHI’ SOUP” is a string-tied tea bag type dashi pack, individually packaged for easy enjoyment in guest rooms, offered as a welcome service for guests. This product aims to let guests experience Japanese food culture through a warm cup after check-in, and it is designed for ease of use by providing instructions in both Japanese and English for domestic and international guests. In line with the new KOKO HOTELS concept “Here Discovery Begins,” it plays a part in offering hospitality that soothes the mind and body, providing international guests with the globally recognized “Umami” and domestic guests with a nostalgic taste of their roots.

6. YANAGI2022/YANAGI2025: Aichi Prefecture

Excerpt of evaluation by foreign judges:

“YANAGI2022/YANAGI2025” is a premium hojicha liqueur that blends the aesthetics of Japanese tradition with modernity. Inspired by the Edo period’s Yanagikage, it combines authentic mirin and genuine shochu with house-roasted first-flush hojicha, enhanced with the aroma of oak barrels to achieve a rich fragrance and a sweet, mellow taste. The alcohol content is kept at 20%, designed for light enjoyment after meals, and it pairs well with both Japanese and Western sweets such as vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, and anko. The ingredients include authentic mirin and rice shochu made using traditional methods by Kakutani Bunjiro Shoten, founded in 1910, and the hojicha uses only new leaves cultivated by Miyazaki-en, established in 1820, to maximize aroma

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

Consecutive Grand Gold Award

7. Kagura Nanban Green Pepper Oil: Niigata Prefecture

Excerpt of evaluation by foreign judges:

“Kagura Nanban green pepper oil” is a green chili oil developed by the over 100-year-old hegisoba restaurant “Wataya” located in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture. This product extracts color and spiciness from the traditional Niigata vegetable “Kagura Nanban,” characterized by its beautiful green color and refreshing spiciness. Kagura Nanban is a green chili pepper that resembles a bell pepper, and it is said to be named because its shape resembles a Kagura mask. Particularly, those produced in Ojiya are thick, juicy, and combine gentle spiciness with umami.

Gold Award

8. (Fukuoka) Tatami Unit Seifu

9. (Osaka) Libetee Multi-Function Suitcase

10. (Tokyo) ADVANCED SERUM P

11. (Nagasaki) All-purpose teapot

12. (Hyogo) Cloth Transformation

13. (Aichi) Tokan-do Sweet Potato Chips Series

14. (Kagoshima) Matcha framing the time of your life. 

15. (Osaka) Student Cup

16. (Tokyo) The Soft Rattle Set – The Bear Cub’s Freshly Baked Bread

17. (Gifu) YOKIHADA

18. (Gifu) Kido Desk

19. (Osaka) Absorbent sanitary shorts

20. (Hokkaido) Baconbushi

21. (Tokyo) ZERO GRAVITY GEL PILLOW

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

22. (Hokkaido) Ninjamen

23. (Fukuoka) Ichigodaifuku

24. (Niigata) KIMONO “SUKIYA” CLUTCH

25. (Toyama) Incense Holder with Mt Fuji

26. (Kochi) Tosa Day-Catch Bonito: Ultimate Freshness, Pole-and-Line Caught, Authentic Straw-Grilled Tataki

27. (Niigata) GLOBAL

28. (Kanagawa) HAMAMONYO Hot Spring Steamy Towel

29. (Osaka) omonui

30. (Miyazaki) Aged Kinju Amberjack Whole Plate Sashimi

31. (Tokyo) Re:Valna Sphereball plus liquid

32. (Mie) Horisaka Farm Matsusaka Beef Tendons Curry

33. (Osaka) WORLD CONNECT COLA

34. (Tokyo) UNKO DRILL

35. (Yamaguchi) Animal Donuts

36. (Tokyo)  Rice flour rollcake

37. (Osaka)  KURASHIKI PUDDING

38. (Kyoto) KYOTO DENIM

39. (Osaka) Kagoshima Wagyu Roast Beef

40. (Tokyo) Enju

41. (Fukuoka) Organic Dashi Mild Vinegar

42. (Hokkaido) MONDERIKA

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

43. (Osaka) Senshu-Bijin

44. (Kyoto) Sphelar Lantern

45. (Aichi) URUTSUYA-Tomatoes

46. (Fukuoka) Matcha Cream Daifuku

47. (Osaka) IH Sumi Kamado

48. (Yamaguchi) Wabisuke

49. (Fukuoka) Hiwaka Hyakufuku

50. (Tokyo) Aurelie.

51. (Tokyo) KRAFT SCRAP NOTE

52. (Yamaguchi)  MARISSA RESORT sazanseto suo-oshima

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

Consecutive Gold Awards

53. (Kagoshima) Zaiho Premium Pudding

54. (Tokyo) TOROKERU FUTON® enifeaⅡ

55. (Tokyo) fit it・balance support sole

56. (Gunma) KINSEI SHOKUHIN TOKUSEN NAMA GYOZA SERIES

57. (Tokyo) Natural Skin Care Oil R

58. (Okinawa) A series of coral plates inspired by the Okinawan sea and symbols of good luck

59. (Kumamoto) Hara Farms Organic Amazake

60. (Aichi) one piece yukata

61. (Okayama) Ginger Wine

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

Special Distinction Awards

62. (Hokkaido) Iwanai Salmon Ajillo

63. (Tokyo) Electric Salt

64. (Osaka) NOWU BASIC and GOOD PlaX™ Embroidered Socks

65. (Tokyo) Make Matcha & Onigiri a Global Breakfast Standard.Matcha and Onigiri Café NIGICHA

66. (Tokyo) Granframe

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

Awards

67. (Tochigi) TOCHIGICAVIAR「K」

68. (Osaka) sanjunbi sakura water cream

69. (Osaka) sanjunbi uv water cream

70. (Tokyo) Hontou Tsubaki Pure Camellia Oil

71. (Osaka) Shizuokan

72. (Fukushima) Seasonal Fruits Daifuku “Kajuan”

73. (Saitama) Tamy’s Japanese Teriyaki Sauce & Marinade for Chicken

74. (Kagoshima) Bite-Sized Chocolate Kurobou

75. (Tokyo) Tsukiji JISAKU specialty ‘MIZUTAKI(chicken hot pot)’ set

76. (Chiba) Premium Almond Cream

77. (Shizuoka) Shizuoka Chabacco 1 carton (6 boxes)

78. (Aichi) Epiphyte Art Products

79. (Hokkaido) Matsukura’s Beach-Steamed Cod Roe with Hidaka Kelp (with Shiitake Mushrooms)

80. (Shimane) Izumo 100% Buckwheat Soba

81. (Tokyo) PE Hoscare Spray

82. (Kuwamoto) KAWANO FARM melon

83. (Tokyo) FRUITS SNOWBALL

84. (Tokyo) Tokyo Station Red Brick Pound Cake

85. (Tokyo) HONESTUAL Serenity0 All in One Gel

86. (Toyama) Nanapikari Yogurt

87. (Hyogo) Venison Treats

88. (Tokyo) M.MOWBRAY PRESTIGIO　MOLD CLEANER

89. (Aichi) Brews de Charme – Tea Collection –

90. (Fukuoka) Personalized Chopsticks with Engraving in Wooden Box Set

91. (Osaka) Keep Guard Air

92. (Kyoto) IROHA KYOTO – ITOMAKITAMA KANZASHI –

93. (Mie) Ise-style Simmered Aosa Nori Seaweed

94. (Kanagawa) PITTAKU

95. (Fukuoka) Fish Oil Capsules

96. (Fukuoka) Royal Jelly × Sesamin Queen’s Grace 0.303g x 60 Tablets

97. (Oita) 3-way car shade

98. (Okinawa) Shima-masu pouch

99. (Hyogo) Incense bag “UZUNO KANADE”

100. (Shizuoka) grilled eel “deshiko”

101. (Tokyo) Hale Stick Jelly with Chia Seeds

102. (Nara) ECLEAD

103. (Nara) EMINERS

104. (Tokyo) CL-LINE SEREN

105. (Tochigi) Wooden Lantern Assembly Kit

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

106. (Ishikawa) PAORA

107. (Shizuoka) SHIOYA’s thick-sliced ​​beef tongue

108. (Hyogo) Super Tweeter S-STW201

109. (Tokyo) Re:Valna HaruColla fullface 1 sheet

110. (Tokyo) Grilled Mackerel Teriyaki

111. (Tokyo) Assorted Set of Saikyo-style Pickled Fish and Grilled Eel

112. (Ibaraki) Kumiko Top Dear Kumiko

113. (Chiba) Manavis VitaminD Plus Premium

114. (Osaka) NOWU BASIC and GOOD Circular rib fabric Tank top

115. (Fukuoka) Punching Leather Shoes

116. (Tokyo) Wagyu Beef Hamburger Steak 120g

117. (Saitama) A great day for intestinal health. Organic brown rice amazake

118. (Kanagawa) nobia EX

119. (Hokkaido) Premium Air-Dried Extra-Large Mackerel & Hokke Set

120. (Shiga) Ibukino Soba Dipping Sauce Set

121. (Shiga) NOSE BREATHING TAPE

122. (Kagawa) Printed Tabi

123. (Tottori) Delicately Salted Mackerel Fillets

124. (Shizuoka) Ice Coin

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

125. (Aichi) Baby Gift Set ~ Twin Bears Living in Paris ~

126. (Osaka) Caring Innerwear That Supports Your Growth

127. (Osaka) Super NATTOGEN

128. (Nagano) KE-NON

129. (Tokyo) THE MEAT PIE

130. (Fukuoka) chocolate bolt

131. (Osaka) Hot and Cold Plate

132. (Tokyo) electronic flower frog

133. (Aichi) Third-Generation Addictive Hormone Plump Pork Hormone

134. (Chiba) DAWN

135. (Kyoto) double-layered blanket mimosa

136. (Tokyo) EVER CLEAN Individually Wrapped Alcohol Wet Wipes

137. (Kanagawa) NMN20000plus

138. (Saitama) THE BARREL – Japan’s Hardest Beigoma to Spin

139. (Kochi) The Ultimate River Retreat

140. (Fukui) The warmth of a traditional inn　HAIYA

141. (Tokyo) Sake Tasting Programs

142. (Shizuoka) BUSHI MESHI

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

Consecutive Awards

143. (Kagoshima) Natural Alkaline Hot Spring Water, Zaiho Onsen

144. (Tokyo) Premium Mentaiko Mochi Monja with Four Kinds of Cheese

145. (Okayama) minaCorale Bakery donuts-set

146. (Tokushima) AMAZAKE PROTEIN

147. (Kanagawa) POMULU 2WAY BABY CARRIER

148. (Nara) aroma stone

149. (Kochi) Ikumi Organic Tomato

Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI SELECTION

Thank you so much for joining us for the first OMOTENASHI Selection of 2026! I personally have used a few of these exceptional products and services before they were announced, and I can also attest to their quality. Hopefully, you’ll be able to grab some for yourself, try some foods, skincare products, or even some wonderful activities and experiences. These lists are made only of the best of the best, fully embodying the spirit of omotenashi and proving the high quality of Japanese artisans.

Featured Photo Credit: OMOTENASHI Selection

Learn more about Omotenashi Selection in our interview!