News On Japan

All-You-Can-Eat Famichiki 30 Minutes for 1,000 Yen

SAPPORO, Oct 01 (News On Japan) - FamilyMart held an all-you-can-eat fried chicken event at select stores nationwide on September 26th, offering fans 30 minutes of unlimited Famichiki for 1,000 yen as part of a strategy to raise brand visibility in Hokkaido, where its market share remains low.

The event, held simultaneously at ten locations including Sapporo, saw participants eagerly devour the chain’s flagship fried chicken, with one attendee managing to eat 17 pieces. At the FamilyMart in Sapporo’s Higashi Ward, 40 customers who registered in advance joined the promotion, cheering as staff signaled the start. “Famichiki is the best—please bring more,” said one participant, while others likened the pace to a “wanko soba” eating contest.

A reporter who joined the challenge noted that eating five pieces within the time limit covered the cost of admission, though fatigue set in quickly. “It was a rare experience to eat so much at once,” he said after finishing five servings.

According to FamilyMart Sapporo North branch manager Naoto Matsubara, the campaign was designed to help raise awareness: “FamilyMart’s share is still low in Hokkaido, so we want more people to know and enjoy our stores.”

Convenience store competition in the region remains fierce. Seicomart dominates Hokkaido with more than 1,000 outlets, far outpacing national chains such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. Experts say store numbers alone are no longer enough in depopulating regions, and companies are increasingly focusing on local adaptation.

Consumer economy analyst Hiroaki Watanabe said major chains have long relied on uniform nationwide services, but today must tailor offerings to regional preferences. “The keyword is local engagement,” he explained, adding that Seicomart already embodies that approach. “The key point for competitors will be how to pursue local strategies while contending with Seicomart.”

Source: HBCニュース 北海道放送

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

The newly launched Takaichi Cabinet moved into full operation on October 22nd, with early personnel decisions revealing a clear conservative tone. Satsuki Katayama was appointed as finance minister and Kimi Onoda as minister in charge of foreign resident policy, underscoring what observers are calling the emergence of a distinct “Takaichi color.”

Authorities in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, have begun culling approximately 460,000 laying hens after a poultry farm in the region’s Iburi area confirmed infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza, marking the first confirmed outbreak of the season in Japan.

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Food NEWS

Join us on a street food tour through Kagoshima, one of Japan’s most underrated cities in the south of Kyushu. From local specialties to unique snacks you won’t find anywhere else, Kagoshima’s food scene is full of surprises. (TabiEats)

The Japanese self defense forces make cooking for 400 soldiers look easy even in the sweltering heat! We are so glad to show you another exclusive video highlighting the brave men and women of the JSDF! (Japanese Food Craftsman)

Planning a magical trip to Disney World often involves more than just choosing the perfect rides and attractions. One of the most important decisions you'll make is where to dine during your stay.

Sales of Hakata Wagyu beef began on October 15th at Fukuoka Airport's international terminal as part of efforts to expand overseas distribution channels, with a particular focus on attracting visitors from Singapore.

Hidden in Shibuya, Chillmatic is redefining Japanese craft burgers with aged beef and homemade pastrami that take flavor to another level a Japanese craft burger shop known for serving one-of-a-kind burgers made with aged beef and topped with irresistible homemade pastrami. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

At the season’s first auction held in Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, locally grown Tamba Matsutake mushrooms fetched a total of 850,000 yen. Freshly harvested mushrooms lined the market floor, drawing excitement among buyers.

A visit to Teppanyaki Kaikan to have dinner of Foie Gras, Wagyu, Lobster and a few side dishes (Aden Films)

Japan byFood and Shizuka are on a quest to try out the best bakeries in Tokyo, proving how the town won the Pastry World Cup in Lyon earlier this year. It’s not a secret how Japan is at the top tier of the food game, but to secure the gold medal for the second time in a row?