Five restaurants and a local producers’ group will offer 12 reservation-only “hanabi bento” for the Nov. 7 Tsuchiura fireworks competition, using regional ingredients.
A tasting of special bento boxes for the Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition was held at city hall on Oct. 5, ahead of the event scheduled for Nov. 7.
Five restaurants and one local association will offer 12 varieties by advance order. Some will come in shared three-tier boxes designed to evoke fireworks launch tubes. Prices range from 1,800 to 6,800 yen, including tax.
The meals feature local ingredients such as lotus root, simmered dishes and eel. Tsuyoshi Yagyu, head of the local bento producers’ group, said the organizers hoped to promote Tsuchiura through its food. Mayor Mariko Ando praised the bento as a showcase for the city.
Orders can be placed through the “Tsuchiura Fireworks Bento” section of the city tourism association’s website. Collection arrangements on the day vary by shop.
The city is also promoting the competition in Tokyo during October, with fireworks videos and mock shells displayed near Tokyo and Shinbashi stations. City officials said last year’s centenary event drew about 650,000 visitors, roughly half from outside Ibaraki Prefecture.