3rd Lamb Seminar in Kurashiki (held on August 19, 2026) – Lamb is globally known as a "delicacy meat." An opportunity to learn about and utilize lamb.

Did you know that an annual "Lamb Seminar" is held once a year to spread the culture of lamb (sheep meat) from the Setouchi region?

The first and second seminars were held in Okayama City, and this year's (2026) third seminar was held at Kurashiki City. The venue, Kurashiki Ivy Square, Aimi Red Brick Hall, gathered restaurant professionals from both inside and outside Okayama Prefecture.

I am not a restaurant professional, but I participated because I was interested in lamb, so I will report on the seminar.

Current Status of the Lamb Market in Japan

Do you often have lamb meat on your dining table? Or how often do you have the opportunity to eat lamb when dining out? You might not think of it very often.

That is understandable. The annual lamb meat consumption per person in Japan is about 300g. For comparison, chicken is about 14kg, pork is just over 13kg, and beef is about 6kg. When compared, it is extremely low.

Starting with such impactful information was Kazunori Mitsuhashi, Senior Manager of MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia), a lamb producer organization.

He has been speaking since the first seminar and explains the lamb market in Japan and the world in an easy-to-understand manner every time.

Three Attractions of Lamb Meat

What specific attractions does lamb meat have? Mr. Mitsuhashi mentioned the following three points.

• The only red meat that is not restricted by religion
• High nutritional value
• Sustainable

People without dietary restrictions due to religion can eat various meats, so they may not be very conscious of it. However, for example, Muslims do not eat pork. In that regard, lamb meat can be chosen by those who have limited options for meat due to religious reasons, and it can be utilized as a measure for inbound tourism in restaurants.

Additionally, lamb meat is rich in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B compared to other livestock, making it effective for health-conscious concepts and attracting female customers.

What does sustainable mean?
Sheep are the oldest domesticated animals (recorded in Mesopotamian literature) and are raised on pasture, feeding only on grass, which is said to have a low environmental impact. Furthermore, from the perspective of animal welfare and ethics, there are advantages, making it beneficial for companies that handle lamb meat.

Animal Welfare
The concept of reducing stress and suffering as much as possible from the time an animal is born until it dies, allowing it to live in a healthy and comfortable state.

Lamb Ambassador Talk Session

In the latter half, titled "Lamb Ambassador Talk Session", three Lamb Ambassadors (a coined term combining lamb and ambassador) answered questions from the facilitator (Mr. Mitsuhashi).

Before the talk session, the three Lamb Ambassadors had a tasting of dishes made with lamb meat served at their restaurants, providing a time that satisfied both the stomach and heart of the seminar participants.

The topics discussed during the talk session included the following:

• How they started handling lamb meat
• Insights on menu and cost
• Tips for attracting customers, etc.

Among these, what left an impression was Ms. Sayaka Tanaka's response:

"The number of inbound customers (foreign tourists) searching online for restaurants that serve lamb has been increasing. Just listing lamb on the English menu significantly changes the response."

The Bikan Historical Area, where Kurashiki Ivy Square is located, attracts many foreigners. Globally, lamb meat is considered a "delicacy". I believe that lamb meat and the town of Kurashiki are a good match.

Comments from Each

Mr. Kazunori Mitsuhashi, Senior Manager of MLA, said:

"I want to continue to promote the appeal of lamb meat and spread the lamb culture from this Okayama to Setouchi."

Additionally, Ms. Tanaka, the organizer and the first Lamb Ambassador in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, had the following comment:

"Some people feel a bit hesitant about eating lamb meat, but once they actually try it, they may find it delicious. First, I hope restaurant professionals will attend the lamb seminar. Then, I want the general public to enjoy lamb events. We plan to hold a Lamb Festival at Kurashiki Ivy Square on September 26 and 27, 2026."

Conclusion

Many restaurant professionals participated in the venue, indicating a high level of interest in lamb meat. Among them was the owner of a food truck that I often visit at events.

Three companies that handle lamb meat also participated, and after the seminar, I observed exchanges of business cards and information.

Perhaps soon, there will be a lamb meat fever in Kurashiki.

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