New & Now
3rd Kehaya Chanko Hotpot Contest — Final Round on November 16
Date & Time
Sunday, November 16, 2025, 10:00–15:00
Venue
Around Yashikiyama Park, Katsuragi City
(Events are planned in the Katsuragi Central Community Center area near the park.)
What is Chanko Nabe?
It is a traditional Japanese hot pot dish known for its hearty ingredients and closely associated with sumo wrestlers.
Your vote will decide the Grand Champion (Yokozuna)!
From all entries received, four finalists have advanced through the first and second screenings.
On the day, visitors can sample the four different chanko hotpots and cast their votes to determine Katsuragi’s Grand Champion.
Finalist Recipes (titles as submitted)
Recipe Name: “Curry The Punch” / カレーザパンチ
A curry-flavored hotpot topped with cheese that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Made with chicken breast to balance lightness and rich flavor.
Recipe Name: “Chanko!! Miso-Curry, Madame-Style” / ちゃんこ！！みそカレーマダム風
A deep, savory broth combining white miso and curry, enriched with sardine dashi. Includes sardine tsukune (fish dumplings) for a tasty, highly nutritious hotpot.
Recipe Name: “Warm ♡ Kasujiru Chanko Hotpot (Sake-Lees & Miso)” / あったか♡粕汁ちゃんこ鍋
A body-warming hotpot with miso and sake lees, featuring bacha (edge trimmings) of Miwa somen made by local producers in Katsuragi.
Recipe Name: “Oyako de Dosukoi!! (Chicken & Egg)” / 親子でドスコイ!!
A light, salt-based chicken-and-egg oyako hotpot, accented with mulberry leaf tea grown in Katsuragi.
※ Please note: Photos shown may differ from the actual dishes served on the day.
Fun Programs at the Venue!
Renkachan Special Booth
Katsuragi’s beloved mascot Renkachan will have a special booth!
We’ll be selling brand-new plush toys, plus stationery and keychains.
As a limited bonus, customers who purchase goods will receive a Renkachan trading card — first 100 purchasers only.
Renkachan herself may drop by the booth during the event—keep an eye out!
Kehaya Marche (10:00–15:00)
Stroll, browse, and discover something special at the Kehaya Marche!
Even window-shopping is fun with this carefully curated lineup.
Find your favorites and drop in with family and friends to enjoy a heart-warming time together.Kids’ Favorite! Pirate-Themed Inflatable Bouncer
Jump to your heart’s content inside a giant pirate ship!
This eye-catching inflatable is a huge hit with kids—an exciting “adventure space” where they can bounce and play while feeling like real pirates.Make happy memories with smiles all around!
Kehaya Chanko Hotpot Contest
Applications are now closed.
Katsuragi City is proud to host the third edition of the Kehaya “Chanko Nabe” Creative Recipe Contest, following the success of the previous two contests. This event invites everyone—from culinary enthusiasts to students, families, and professionals—to share their unique and inspiring ideas for chanko hot pot recipes. The contest aims to foster a new local specialty and promote Katsuragi, known as the birthplace of sumo.
Entry Period
July 15 (Tue) – September 16 (Tue), 2025 (Must arrive by the deadline)
Eligibility
Open to all individuals, groups, businesses, and students, regardless of professional status.
Applicants under elementary school age must submit a recipe jointly with a parent or guardian.
How to Apply
Please submit the completed application form along with a photo of your dish via one of the following methods:
Applications are now closed.
1. Online Form
2. Email
Download the application form, fill it out, and send it to:
syoukou-kankou@city.katsuragi.lg.jp
Email subject: “Application for the 3rd Kehaya Chanko Nabe Contest”
3. Postal Mail / In Person
Submit the form and photo to the following address:
Commerce and Tourism Promotion Division
Katsuragi City Hall
166 Kakimoto, Katsuragi City, Nara 639-2195
Entry Requirements
- Ingredient cost must not exceed ¥2,500 for four servings.
- Recipes should use nutritionally balanced ingredients, including meats or seafood, vegetables, and mushrooms.
- The dish must be easy to prepare and completed within 1 hour, including all preparation steps.
- Recipes must be original and self-created. The use of commercial soup bases or other seasonings that largely determine flavor is prohibited.
Notes
- Only one recipe per individual or group may be submitted.
- Please list all ingredients and their exact amounts, including seasonings.
- Application materials and photos will not be returned.
- Applicants are responsible for all submission costs.
- Copyright remains with the applicant; however, the organizer shall have exclusive rights to use submitted works for promotional purposes.
- Especially winning entries may be introduced through media, websites, social media, and public relations materials.
- Submissions must be unpublished. (Entries from previous Kehaya contests are allowed.)
Judging Process and Criteria
First Round
A document screening will select six finalists.
Second Round – Document and Tasting Evaluation
Scheduled for October 19 (Sun), 2025.
Finalists will prepare their dishes on-site using the recipe submitted. Applicants must bring ingredients for four servings and cook at the venue.
Judging Criteria:
- Appearance – Does the dish look appetizing and well-presented?
- Versatility – Is the recipe feasible for home cooking or product development?
- Originality – Does the recipe show creativity or unique ideas?
- Nutrition – Is the dish well-balanced in terms of nutrition?
- Use of Local Ingredients – Does the recipe effectively incorporate local produce?
- Participants will receive ¥10,000 in cash to help cover the cost of ingredients.
- All cooking equipment and seasonings must be prepared by the applicant.
Final Round – Live Event
The final will take place on November 16 (Sun), 2025, in the area surrounding Katsuragi Central Community Center.
Each finalist must prepare 300 servings of their dish. The winner will be determined by a combination of public and special judge votes.
- Standard cooking equipment will be provided. For specialized tools, applicants should bring their own.
- Ingredient costs will be reimbursed. If necessary, the organizer may help procure ingredients (limited to general seasonal items).
- Applicants who cannot prepare 300 servings alone may request staff support from the organizer.
- Some recipes may require adjusted cooking procedures to accommodate large-scale preparation.
- The organizer will ensure allergen information (for 21 common allergens) is clearly displayed.
Prizes
| First Place | ¥30,000 cash + local products worth ¥20,000 + 50 cm Renka-chan plush |
| Second Place | ¥20,000 cash + local products worth ¥10,000 + 20 cm Renka-chan plush |
| Third Place | ¥10,000 cash + local products worth ¥10,000 + 20 cm Renka-chan plush |
Outstanding Recipes
May be served in local school lunches or developed into commercial products.
About the Final Round of the 3rd Kehaya Chanko Nabe Contest
The final round of the 3rd Kehaya Chanko Nabe Contest is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
Further details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
Organizer
Katsuragi City / Katsuragi City Tourism Association
Contact Information
Commerce and Tourism Promotion Division
Phone: 0745-44-5111
Fax: 0745-44-5008
Email: syoukou-kankou@city.katsuragi.lg.jp
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