Nutrition Education Meets Community Collaboration Community Potluck Event in Wako on January 25 KOEI Science Laboratory Co., Ltd. Joins Local Elementary School Children

– Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society to support disaster-affected areas.

2026.01.19 10:30

株式会社光英科学研究所

KOEI Science Laboratory Co., Ltd.

(Head Office: Wako City, Saitama Prefecture; President: Yoko Onodera),

a company engaged in the research and manufacture of lactic acid bacteria–derived substances under the theme “Toward Healthy Intestinal Flora,” will take part in Wako’s annual winter community event, “Wako’s Hot Pot Festival,” to be held on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at a special venue in the Wako City Hall Civic Plaza.

This year’s festival will also feature the “Crying Sumo Wako Place,” adding a new family-friendly attraction to the event.（As a special highlight for 2026, the “Crying Sumo Wako Place” will be held for the first time.Crying Sumo is a traditional Japanese ritual in which infants’ cries are celebrated as a symbol of healthy growth and well-being.）

As a special collaboration project with Wako City Daisan (Third) Elementary School, a brand-new hot pot dish developed from children’s ideas —

“San-Elem Collaboration! Sol Tomato Nabe” — will be unveiled and sold to the public for the first time.

和光のほっこり鍋2026メインビジュアル

Wako's Hot Pot 2026 main visual

Event Overview

Event Name:

Wako’s Hot Pot Festival with Crying Sumo Wako Place

Date & Time:

Sunday, January 25, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

(Event will be canceled in case of severe weather)

Venue:

Special Venue, Wako City Hall Civic Plaza (in front of Sun Azalea Hall)

Program Highlights:

Hot pot dishes from 29 participating restaurants

Stage performances and entertainment

Antenna shops selling food, beverages, and local goods

26 outdoor stalls

4 indoor shops at Sun Azalea

Hot Pot Stamp Rally (January 13 – February 1)

Access:

15-minute walk from Wako-shi Station

(Tobu Tojo Line / Tokyo Metro Yurakucho & Fukutoshin Lines)

No on-site parking available. Please use public transportation.

Organizer:

Wako Hot Pot Festival Executive Committee

(Wako City Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

Co-organizers:

Wako City

Wako City Cultural Promotion Public Corporation

Japan Nabe Association

Event Details:

Wako City Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Event Page

https://wako-sci.or.jp/nabe

Event Highlights

The Wako Hot Pot Festival, now a beloved winter tradition in Wako City, will return in 2026 on an even larger scale.This year’s event brings together 29 restaurants offering a wide variety of hot pot dishes, along with 30 antenna shops showcasing local foods, beverages, and specialty goods.

Visitors can enjoy:

Signature hot pots from long-established local restaurants

Traditional regional hot pot recipes passed down through generations

Creative hot pot dishes developed in collaboration with local elementary school students

Stage performances and concerts by local community groups will further enliven the venue.

As a special highlight for 2026, the “Crying Sumo Wako Place” will be held for the first time, where pre-registered babies participate in a traditional crying sumo ceremony, delighting audiences with smiles and laughter.

This community event is designed for people of all ages, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere where families can enjoy both food and culture during the winter season.

Community Contribution Activities

Founded in Wako City, Saitama Prefecture, KOEI Science Laboratory Co., Ltd. will celebrate its 32nd anniversary in 2026, operating both its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in the city.

In addition to its core business of producing lactic acid bacteria–derived substances, the company places strong emphasis on contributing to local society. Through collaboration with residents, schools, and local businesses, KOEI Science Laboratory actively supports community development, cultural preservation, and regional vitality.

As part of its local engagement, the company sponsors Yumi Kajihara, a cyclist from Wako City currently active in competitive racing. In 2021, KOEI Science Laboratory also entered into a corporate partnership with T.T Saitama, a professional table tennis team based in Saitama Prefecture.

Through initiatives in food education, health promotion, and sports support, the company remains committed to strengthening ties with the local community. Participation in this year’s Hot Pot Festival reflects its ongoing efforts to help create a vibrant, connected city of Wako.

Three-School Collaboration: “Sol Tomato Nabe”

At this year’s festival, KOEI Science Laboratory will offer a special hot pot dish created through its ongoing food education activities as a gesture of appreciation for the local community.

The project began with a nutrition education class for sixth-grade students at Wako City Daisan Elementary School. Under the theme “The Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Intestinal Environment,” students learned about fermented foods, dietary fiber, and their relationship to everyday meals.

Based on this learning, the students challenged themselves to design a recipe for a “gut-friendly hot pot.”

Their creative ideas were refined through collaboration with a certified Wakan-Yakuzen (traditional dietary therapy) specialist, resulting in a dish that balances nutritional value with great taste.

The result is “San-Elem Collaboration! Sol Tomato Nabe,” a gently flavored, easy-to-enjoy hot pot that highlights the natural umami of diverse ingredients while supporting gut health.

This “gut-friendly nabe,” born from learning, creativity, and a love for their hometown of Wako, is warmly offered to festival visitors with the hope that many will enjoy both its flavor and its story.

イベントポスター(制作：第三小学校6年生の児童のみなさん)