This year’s Jetro Okurimono Holiday Food Fair will be held in three mall destinations — SM Mall of Asia Hypermarket, SM Makati Supermarket and Mitsukoshi BGC — from 16 November to 3 January 2024.

These locations will transform into havens of Japanese delights, offering authentic Japanese food, liquor and confectionery products.

This year’s theme, “Gifts from Japan,” encourages shoppers and foodies to explore a wide range of Japanese products that make for perfect gifts for loved ones and even a treat for themselves.

Jetro hopes the fair will be the ideal platform to showcase the richness and uniqueness of Japanese cuisine by highlighting the diverse flavors and cultural significance of Japanese food and traditions.

Shoppers can sample the finest Japanese sake and other unique Japanese beverages and an array of food products. To name some:

Ramune is a popular Japanese carbonated soft drink available in a Codd-neck bottle, which is a heavy glass bottle with an opening sealed by a round marble due to the pressure of the carbonated contents. 

Miyakanbai Junmai-Ginjo Sake has a delicate fragrance reminiscent of spring flowers in Miyagi Prefecture. Fruity aromas lead to a palate of juicy strawberry, pear and apple. It is made with Miyama Nishiki milled to 55 percent, which gives a ripe rice flavor with a clean smooth finish and a touch of sweetness.

Hino-Shizuku Yuzu Sake is brewed by Kanbai Brewery in Osaki. It is flavored with Yuzu grown organically in the famed Umaji Village of Kochi Prefecture. The fruits are carefully selected, hand squeezed and added along with the zest to Miyakanbai Ginjo-grade sake. Due to lengthy soaking of the Yuzu peel, there is a wonderful range of flavors from the fresh Yuzu extract, the result is an exceptionally refreshing liquor.

Premium Saikoro Steak is a bite-sized cubed beef steak. The tender meat is rich in umami, a beloved meaty flavor that’s great when pan-fried or grilled. Both sauces (wasabi flavor and grated onion, apple and garlic) are soy-based.

Meltique Sirloin Steak is a favorite beef product with beef tallow to simulate marbling for consistency and guaranteed quality. This process allows the natural juice to be retained as the marble is cooked out with no reduction in yield.

Nippon Ham-Smoked Pork Sausage by Nippon Ham Foods are made from quality ground pork combined with flavorful and unique seasonings.

Kaki Mukimi Oysters are grown in Japanese oyster farms to ensure consistency and world-class quality. The oysters are shucked and frozen to seal in its freshness.

Imuraya Yawamochi Ice Dessert Cup is made of three layers (chewy and soft texture mochi, sweetened Azuki bean paste and frozen dessert) and you can enjoy the matcha (green tea) flavor with its unique texture. Despite being frozen, the mochi keeps its soft and chewy texture because of Imuraya’s patented manufacturing technology.

Fujiya Milky Cream Puff has ice cream filling, which is perfect for the Philippines’ tropical heat.

Sliced Crepe Cake offers several layers of paper-thin crepes stacked with strawberry-flavored whipped cream.

Sakura Hokkaido Ice Cream lends a subtly floral flavor with a touch of earthiness from vanilla and coconut. The ice cream is made with Hokkaido milk for intense creaminess and silky texture.

Mochi Parfait offers a rich aroma and mild taste of matcha green tea blended into the parfait. Along with the matcha aroma that spreads in your mouth, the mochi (sticky rice cake) pleasantly envelops the tongue.

Farm8 Ponshu Gria is Japan’s fruity answer to sangria. It’s best enjoyed mixed with your choice of sake or sparkling water.

In addition to shopping for unique gifts, this year’s Okurimono Holiday Fair offers a range of interactive activities to engage shoppers and visitors.

Okurimono Holiday Fair schedule: SM Mall of Asia Hypermarket, 16-30 November; SM Makati Supermarket, 19 November-31 December; and Mitsukoshi BGC, 16 November-3 January 2024.

Visit www.jetro.go.jp/philippines.