Special exhibition of Japan's unique food replicas now on in Tottori Pref.

KURAYOSHI, Tottori -- A special exhibition on the theme of replica food, an artisanal form unique to Japan, is now being held in this western Japan city.

A total of 120 elaborate models of sukiyaki, ramen, "katsudon" (fried pork cutlet on a bowl of rice), and other dishes that look appetizing like the real things are on display at Kurayoshi Figure Museum in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, until March 13, 2022.

Food models typically line the front showcases of restaurants across Japan, and they have much in common with figurines in terms of molding and coloring. The Food Sample Exhibition is being funded by Osaka-based Iwasaki Co., a major food replica firm.

The highlight of the exhibition is a reproduction of the manufacturing process and workplace for turning out hamburger and fish models. There is also a must-see section where visitors can follow technological changes in the industry by comparing past models made with wax and the latest resin models, using bread and steak as examples.

The 10-stack "tower hamburger" model is attracting many visitors. Asahi Yamazaki, 4, who visited with his family from the city of Tottori, said with a smile, "Everything looks delicious and makes me hungry. I want to try a real big hamburger."

Admission to the exhibition is 600 yen (roughly $5.20) for high school students and older, and 300 yen (about $2.60) for elementary and junior high school students.

(Japanese original by Hirofumi Nohara, Tottori Bureau)