Starting on Thursday, a stellar assortment of imported gourmet Japanese delicacies will be featured at Mitsuwa Marketplace in San Jose. The 2012 Kyushu and Okinawa Fair is scheduled for 4 days, from July 26 thru 29. This modest event is part of the Mitsuwa Market chain’s 7th annual gourmet food fair series, each event showcases a specific region of Japan.

This time fans of Japanese cuisine will get to sample rare gourmet food specialties from the southern regions of Japan, specifically the islands of Kyushu and Okinawa.

Ramen fans will cheer for the opportunity to order “Hakata Tonkotsu Nagahama Ramen,” from a popular ramen shop named Tanaka Shoten. Then satisfy your sweet tooth with unique desserts like: “Pie Custard Pudding on Choux” from Kikuya, located in the Oita Prefecture, and “Beni-imo Ice Cream” from the most popular ice cream shop in Okinawa Prefecture, Blue Seal.

Other highlights include: traditional Mackerel sushi wrapped in kelp from Hiranoya, in the Nagasaki Prefecture, and Mentaiko (marinated cod roe, sold by weight) from Fukuoka, the mentaiko capital of Japan.

Among the few retailers, Ryukyu Glass Arts from Mori No Glass Kan located in Okinawa Prefecture, will feature unique colorful glassware and dinnerware. This is their first venture into the US market.

A nice mini food adventure, that saves you the cost of a flight to Japan.

Photo Credit: Luis Chong

• Tag: Best of, Events, festival, gourmet foods, Japanese Cuisine, Kyushu, Mitsuwa, Okinawa, San Jose, Weekend