A must-see for bonito lovers! Enjoy fresh bonito at Ainan Town's Bonito Festival

• Table of Contents
• What is the Ainan Town "Bonito Festival"?
• Three ways to enjoy "Biyabiya Katsuo"
• Event highlights and shopping
• Not just bonito! Ainan Town's seafood and mountain produce
• Event information (2025 event data)

What is the Ainan Town "Bonito Festival"?

The Ainan Town Bonito Festival is held every year in mid-May and is one of Ainan Town's largest gourmet events, celebrating the first bonito of the season.

Ainan Town is home to the only bonito fishing port in Ehime Prefecture, and due to its high freshness, the bonito is nicknamed ``Ainan Byabya Bonito'' by the locals.

"Biyabiya" is a word from Ainan Town that means "very fresh and vibrant."

Three ways to enjoy "Biyabiya Katsuo"

The highlight of the festival is the exceptional bonito dishes that are prepared on-site, and in many cases you can watch them being prepared right before your eyes.

1. Straw-grilled seared bonito

By quickly searing the surface over a powerful straw flame, the meat acquires a fragrant smoky aroma, while the inside remains rare and juicy. This is the most famous cooking method in Ainan Town!

2. Sashimi

Bonito sashimi offers the ultimate in freshness, allowing you to enjoy the rich, pure flavor of bonito, which can only be enjoyed with such fresh fish.

3. Marinated bonito rice bowl

This rice bowl is made with fresh bonito fillets marinated in a special sauce and served on rice. It's perfect for a quick and delicious meal at a festival.

Event highlights and shopping

Not only is the food delicious, but the festival atmosphere itself is very lively and fun.

Bonito sold individually

The sight of fresh bonito being sold whole is truly impressive.

These are very popular and limited in quantity, so we recommend you buy them early!

Grand Raffle

If you register before the event starts, you will receive a raffle ticket.

You can enter a raffle to win great local products and prizes.

Specialty product booth

We sell unique local products from Ainan Town that you can take home as souvenirs.

Not just bonito! Ainan Town's seafood and mountain produce

Although bonito is the star of the show, Ainan Town is a region blessed with the bounty of both the sea and the mountains. There are other local specialties that you should definitely try!

bell shell

These large scallops have vibrantly colored shells and can be grilled whole. They have a sweet and rich flavor!

oyster

Fresh, locally-sourced oysters are also available, grilled over charcoal, allowing you to enjoy the taste of the clear ocean waters. Of course, you can also enjoy fresh raw oysters!

Ainan Gold

This locally grown citrus fruit is characterized by its refreshing sweetness and fragrance. It's the perfect palate cleanser after a rich seafood dish!

In addition to these, there will also be food trucks offering locally grown vegetables, sweets, and a variety of other gourmet foods, so that everyone can enjoy themselves.

Event information (2025 event data)

Event dates may vary from year to year, but here's some general information to help you plan your trip.

Event name: Ainan Town Bonito Festival (Ainan Shunsai Marche)

Location: Minami-Rek Oshiro Park

Address: 728 Misozora Hirajo, Ainan-cho, Minamiuwa-gun, Ehime Prefecture

Date and time: Sunday, May 18, 2025, 10:00-15:00

Admission fee: Free

Access: By car, approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes from Matsuyama IC

Parking: Available (please follow the directions to the designated parking lot)

Note: The schedule may change due to weather conditions, so please be sure to check the latest dates and times on the Ainan Town Tourism Association's official website before visiting.

Ainan Town Tourism Association Official Website