Announcement of the results of the 1st Go-en Sweets Grand Prix! Iconic sweet shops from the Sacred Place of Relationships (Matsue, Izumo and Yasugi in Shimane Prefecture) competed for the 1st prize!
Shimane Tourism Federation
October 10th, 2024
Shimane Tourism Federation
The Shimane Tourism Federation (located within the Tourism Promotion Division of the Prefectural Government at 1 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, and headed by Jun SASAKI) held the first Go-en Sweets Grand Prix in August 2024, as part of its project to promote Matsue, Izumo and Yasugi, an area referred to as the Sacred Place of Relationships.
Purpose of the event
The purpose of the event was to promote the attractiveness of the area as a Sacred Place of Relationships, within and outside the Prefecture, through the promotion of the Go-en Sweets Grand Prix Award-Winning Sweets.
What are the “Go-en Sweets”?
The “Go-en Sweets” were created in the hope that travelers to the Sacred Place of Relationships will be even more blessed after eating sweets from the region. They are very diverse: sweets made from local ingredients, sweets that inherit traditions and highly photogenic sweets ; all of which can only be tasted here.
What is the “Sacred Place of Relationships”?
The cities of Matsue, Izumo and Yasugi, in eastern Shimane Prefecture, are referred to as the Sacred Place of Relationships where you can feel “Go-en” in various places, such as shrines, energy spots and more. “Go-en” represents all the connections that enhance our daily lives. We invite you to travel to the Sacred Place of the Relationships and freely draw your own connections. “Go-en” can make your daily life even better.
Grand Prix Announcement : https://www.kankou-shimane.com/contents/goen-sweets/gp2024/
Sweets with a connection grand prix
【Participating stores】
28 stores in Matsue, Izumo and Yasugi.
● Judging methods
1. General Voting (Survey): From August 9, 2024 (Fri) to September 8, 2024 (Sun) Number of valid votes: 1,448
In the general voting method (survey), we calculated the total of points awarded to each criterion and determined the average value. The items with the highest overall average values were selected as candidates for the Grand Prix.
*Evaluation Criteria: (1) Skillful expression of the concept of “Go-en” and “making connections” (2) Originality (3) Taste (4) Photogenic quality (5) Would recommend it to friends and acquaintances.
*Note: This method does not select the sweet with the highest number of votes as a Grand Prix candidate.
2. After the Grand Prix candidates were tasted by expert judges, the Shimane Tourism Federation organized a meeting of judges to choose the Grand Prix Award-Winning Sweet, the Second Prize and the Judges’ Special Prizes.
Expert judges:
(1)Yasushi UEDA, President of Ecole DCPB
(2)Machiko FUNO, Freelance Announcer
Judges:
One judge each from Matsue City, Izumo City, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture and Shimane Tourism Federation.
●Results
■Grand Prix Award-Winning
Happiness-bringing parfait
Product name: Happiness-bringing Go-en Parfait
Store name: SHERIE CAFE (471-1 Kakidani-cho, Yasugi, Shimane)
https://www.instagram.com/sherie__cafe/
【Concept】
This photogenic parfait is made from local ingredients nurtured by the rich nature of Shimane Prefecture. It is a feast for both the senses of taste and sight, featuring local delicacies such as fruits from Yasugi City.
■Second Prize
Negai-gashi
Product name: Negai-gashi
Store name: Saiundo (124 Tenjinmachi, Matsue, Shimane)
【Concept】
Since ancient times, Izumo and Matsue have been renowned for their power to create connections. This product was developed to make Japanese confectionaries more familiar to young women visiting the area. It was first launched in 2013 on the occasion of the renovation of Izumo Grand Shrine, as a dried confectionary designed to make dreams come true.
■Judges’ Special Prize
2 pieces of Kohaku Enmitsu Kan
Product name: 2 pieces Kohaku Enmusubi Kan
Store name: Izumo Kanten Kobo (1364-11 Taisha-cho, Kizukiminami, Izumo, Shimane)
https://www.izumokantenkobo.com/
【Concept】
The jellies are colored in the lucky colors of red and white (using Amaou strawberry and red apple) and are tied by hand like a mizuhiki (a traditional Japanese knot-tying symbolizing connections between people), in reference to Izumo’s “Go-en”.
■Judges’ Special Prize
Kamiari Parfait
Product name: Kamiari Parfait
Store name: Izumo Zenzai (2nd floor, 774-2 Taisha-cho, Kizukiminami, Izumo, Shimane)
【Concept】
With the concept of enjoying Japanese sweets in a scenic location overlooking Kamimon-dori Street, we developed a soft ice cream inspired by “zenzai”, a dish that originated in Izumo.
●About future Go-en Sweets
In addition to the existing registered Go-en Sweets’ stores and menus, we will newly register the Grand Prix winning sweets, as Go-en Sweets. The stores will be registered as stores that accept electronic coupons issued by travel companies.
All products and stores will be featured on the Go-en Sweets website, which will be launched by November 2024.
●Outline of the organization
Company Name: Shimane Tourism Federation (Public Interest Incorporated Association)
Representative: President Jun SASAKI
Address: 1 Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, 690-0887 Japan
Business Activities: The organization aims to promote the tourism industry in Shimane Prefecture and contribute to regional revitalization through tourism. It conducts various initiatives, including attracting tourists, promoting local products and culture, organizing events, improving tourist facilities, and collecting and providing information related to tourism. This organization works comprehensively to advance the prefecture's tourism while collaborating with the prefectural government’s tourism policies.
URL: https://www.kankou-shimane.com/
【For Customer Inquiries Regarding Go-en Sweets】
Shimane Tourism Federation
TEL: 0852-21-3969
MAIL: info@shimakanren.or.jp
Image
Logo Image
- Category：
- Events