Cheese lovers across Japan, make your way to Shibuya on February 7!
The first-ever H-1 Cheese Grand Prix, organized by the Japan Cheese Association, is being held.
The “H” in H-1 apparently stands, tongue firmly in cheek, for “hentai”—in this context, an obsessively unconventional craftsperson. What exactly does that mean?
Let’s take a closer look at the competition.
Is Obsessiveness a Form of Genius?
In some fields, especially research and craftsmanship, people sometimes jokingly say, “That person is a real obsessive.” When we say it, there can be a kind of admiring resignation: the feeling that we ourselves could never reach that level. Here, “hentai” is not simply innate talent, nor merely a flash of inspiration that twists or combines ideas in a clever way. It means having a solid, reasoned conviction and the determination and drive to carry it through. That commitment is what inspires admiration.
This competition brings together original cheeses that imitate no one and cannot easily be imitated.
Four specialist judges from the worlds of food and cheese, together with visitors at the venue, will choose the most distinctive and gloriously unconventional cheese of all.
The craftsperson’s spirit behind these extraordinary cheeses may create products that resonate with Japanese consumers who are still relatively unfamiliar with cheese—and those products could eventually become new standards for Japanese cheese. Why not witness the beginning of that history?
An Impressive Panel of Unconventional Judges
At first glance, the theme of this competition may seem outrageous.
But everyone involved is seriously competing to see just how original and obsessive their cheese can be.
Accordingly, the judging panel is formidable: four food and cheese professionals, each with their own kind of singular intensity, will judge without compromise.
Get Your Admission Ticket Here
Tickets are available through Peatix below.
https://h-1cheesegrandprix.peatix.com/
H-1 Cheese Grand Prix Event Details
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
・Preliminary judging: 11:00–12:00 (closed to the public)
・Final judging: From 13:30
Finalist presentations
Venue:
Glade Park Sendagaya (formerly Mace Sendagaya) B1F Chari Sendagaya, 1-13-11 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan View map
【Judges】
Masayuki Okuda (Owner-Chef, Al-ché-cciano)
Yuji Chiba (Representative, Kakunoshin aged meat)
Rumiko Honma (Founder, Fermier cheese specialty shop)
Hiroki Yamamoto (Head of Production Division, Hokkaido Dairy Products Co., Ltd.)
Visitor voting
・Results announced from 14:30
・Tasting and networking session: 15:00–17:00 Free tasting of around 30 Japanese cheeses *Japanese wine will also be available
Visitors can participate in the final judging as well. Watch the finalists’ presentations and cast your vote for the cheese that makes you think, “This is the one!” The visitor vote will be reflected in the judging score.
Cheese Sales, Too
Some cheeses from workshops participating in the H-1 Cheese Grand Prix will also be sold at the venue.
It is a great opportunity to obtain exceptional cheeses that are usually difficult to find.
(Cash sales are planned; bringing an insulated bag is recommended.)
Cheese lovers, why not spend the day discovering, tasting and supporting Japan’s most unconventional cheeses?