Seki Aji and Seki Saba Festival

The Seki Aji & Seki Saba Festival is a seafood-focused community event held annually in Saganoseki, celebrating some of Japan’s most highly regarded fish brands. The festival takes place on March 14, at the Oita Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative Saganoseki Branch, near the Seki Aji and Seki Saba direct sales facilities.

The festival highlights Seki horse mackerel (Seki-aji), Seki mackerel (Seki-saba), and Seki yellowtail (Seki-buri), seafood prized nationwide for its quality and freshness. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of dishes prepared with these local catches, including sashimi set meals and sushi assortments. Popular menu items are available in limited quantities, with both advance and same-day meal tickets offered.

In addition to food, the event features stage programs throughout the day. These include an opening ceremony, greetings from organisers and guests, a performance of the traditional Seki Sea Bream Fishing Dance, and a live popular music show, adding a festive atmosphere to the venue.

The festival also offers seafood barbecues, sales of fresh fish, processed seafood products, and local specialties, as well as food stalls serving a variety of meals, snacks, and desserts. Depending on fishing conditions, items such as kurome seaweed and other seasonal seafood may also be available.