Yesterday’s winner was… 食パン (Shokupan)! 🍞🔥 The cloud-soft bakery favourite rises into the Final Four! Now we have a battle of bold flavours… 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — Round 3 (Final 8) 🔥 🍗 Karaage vs 🥩 Jingisukan Crispy fried chicken versus smoky northern barbecue. Only one reaches the Final Four. 🍗 Karaage (唐揚げ) Juicy chicken marinated in soy sauce, garlic and ginger, then fried to crispy perfection — karaage is one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods. From bento boxes to izakaya plates to festival stalls, it’s the kind of dish people never get tired of. Why it’s strong this round: Crispy outside, juicy inside Bold savoury flavour Easy to snack on and share A universal crowd favourite This is addictive comfort food. 🥩 Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) A specialty of Hokkaidō, jingisukan is grilled lamb cooked on a distinctive dome-shaped metal plate. The meat cooks on top while vegetables below soak up the flavour, creating a smoky, communal barbecue experience. Why it’s a serious contender: Unique lamb flavour Social, interactive cooking Strong regional identity Perfect for gatherings This is northern Japan’s BBQ pride. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Which one reaches the Final Four? The crispy fried favourite karaage? Or the smoky Hokkaidō grill jingisukan? Cast your vote and defend your favourite! 🍗🥩 The Final Four is about to be decided… 🔥

For highlights of Day 5 action, visit here: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202603/day5.html 🇯🇵 Sumo Fact: Chonmage (Topknot) The ちょんまげ / 丁髷 (chonmage) is the traditional topknot hairstyle worn by sumo wrestlers. This hairstyle originally comes from the samurai of the Edo period. Samurai shaved the top of their heads and tied the remaining hair into a topknot so their helmets would fit more comfortably. In sumo, the chonmage became part of the sport’s tradition and appearance. Professional wrestlers grow their hair long so it can be styled into this topknot. Top-ranked wrestlers sometimes wear a more elaborate version called an 大銀杏 (おおいちょう / ōichō) during the ring entrance ceremony, which looks like a ginkgo leaf. Today the chonmage is one of the most recognisable symbols of sumo’s connection to Japan’s samurai past.

Congratulations to Flo san who has reached Daimyō level! 👏 Becoming a Daimyō represents commitment, enthusiasm and leadership in our community. It means showing up, participating and helping make this a welcoming place for everyone learning Japanese. 🗾 Province Claimed: 越前（えちぜん）— Echizen Flo san has chosen Echizen as her domain. She shared that she had a wonderful time there last October, exploring the region’s traditional crafts and food. Her journey included: tasting fresh Echizen soba after visiting a local soba factory learning about the Echizen washi paper making process discovering traditional pottery seeing the craftsmanship behind Japanese knives Echizen is famous for its centuries-old artisan traditions, so it’s a fitting province for someone who appreciates the depth of Japanese culture. 🈶 Mini Japanese 大名（だいみょう） Daimyō — feudal lord 越前（えちぜん） Echizen — historic province in Japan おめでとうございます！ Congratulations! Please join me in congratulating @Flo Ginguene on reaching Daimyō rank 🎉 Which province will the next Daimyō claim? 🏯 Which would you choose?

Yesterday’s winner was… 唐揚げ (Karaage)! 🍗🔥 Crispy, juicy perfection flies into the next round! Now today’s battle brings regional pride vs street-food legend… 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — Round 2 Matchup 🔥 🥩 Jingisukan vs 🐙 Takoyaki Hokkaidō grilling tradition versus Osaka street-food icon. Only one moves on. 🥩 Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) A famous dish from Hokkaidō, jingisukan features lamb grilled on a dome-shaped metal plate along with vegetables. The meat cooks quickly while vegetables soak up the juices below, creating a smoky, communal BBQ experience often enjoyed outdoors with friends. Why it’s strong this round: Unique lamb flavour Interactive grilling experience Strong regional identity Perfect for gatherings This is northern Japan’s BBQ pride. 🐙 Takoyaki (たこ焼き) Crispy outside, soft and molten inside, takoyaki is one of Japan’s most beloved street foods. Octopus-filled batter balls are cooked in special pans and topped with sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes and seaweed. The smell alone can pull you across a festival street. Why it’s a serious contender: Iconic Osaka street food Crispy-meets-gooey texture Big festival nostalgia Fun to eat and share This is pure matsuri energy. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Which one advances? The smoky Hokkaidō grill of jingisukan? Or the festival legend takoyaki? Cast your vote and defend your favourite! 🥩🐙 The tournament is heating up.

Yesterday’s winner was… ラーメン (Ramen)! 🍜🔥 The king of noodle bowls charges into the next round! Today’s battle is a fascinating one — two everyday staples of Japanese life. 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — Round 2 Matchup 🔥 🍙 Onigiri vs 🍞 Shokupan Rice icon versus fluffy bakery favourite. Only one moves on. 🍙 Onigiri (おにぎり) Simple, portable and endlessly comforting, onigiri is one of Japan’s most iconic foods. Hand-shaped rice balls filled with ingredients like salmon, tuna mayo, umeboshi or kombu, often wrapped in crisp nori. From homemade lunches to convenience stores across the country, onigiri is a daily companion for millions. Why it’s strong in this round: The ultimate Japanese grab-and-go food Endless filling combinations Nostalgic and comforting Deeply rooted in everyday Japanese life This is Japan in the palm of your hand. 🍞 Shokupan (食パン) Soft, pillowy and lightly sweet, shokupan is Japan’s famous milk bread. Perfect for thick toast, sandwiches, or simply enjoyed fresh from the bakery, shokupan’s airy texture and gentle sweetness make it a comfort food staple. Why it’s a strong contender: Cloud-soft texture Loved in bakeries across Japan Versatile for sweet or savoury toppings A modern everyday classic This is bakery perfection. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Which one advances? The iconic rice comfort of onigiri? Or the pillowy softness of shokupan? Vote now and defend your favourite! 🍙🍞 Round 2 is getting intense…