[Call for papers] 

GASTRONOMY AND TOURISM

August 7-9 2025

Conference Notice I

[Call for Papers]

7 March 2025

Rationale:

The 2nd Conference of the Society of Asian Food Studies (SAFS) and the 15th Asian Food Study Conference will be held in Kusatsu Shiga, Japan, in August 2025. This forum will invite four renowned food scholars from Japan, China, and Thailand as keynote speakers. It will feature 3 to 5 parallel sessions, with 36 to 40 oral presentations and several poster presentations. This forum will also include a joint event with the Society of Japanese Food Studies, providing an excellent platform for scholars, culinary professionals, and food enthusiasts all over the world to exchange ideas. We sincerely invite researchers and practitioners dedicated to food and drink related fields to join this event, to continue promoting the universal values of Asian food culture and advancing the progress of food civilization.

Main Theme

 Gastronomy and Tourism

Dates

August 7th – 9th, 2025 (Thu. – Sat.)

Venue

Ritsumeikan University Biwako–Kusatsu Campus (BKC)  

Address: 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, JAPAN

★Kusatsu City in Shiga Prefecture is located in the Kansai region.

★The nearest station to BKC is JR Minami-Kusatsu Station (station number JR-A25). BKC is a 15-20 minute bus ride from the station. It takes 2 hours and 40 to 50 minutes from Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) by train and bus, 2 hours and 10 to 20 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport (ITM), 1 hour and 20 to 30 minutes from JR Shin-Osaka Station, and about 40 to 50 minutes from JR Kyoto Station.

Organization

   Host:       Society of Asian Food Studies (SAFS)

 Ritsumeikan Research Center for Gastronomic Arts and Sciences (RCGAS)

Co-hosts:   Society of Japanese Food Studies

Institute of Thai Studies, Chulalongkorn University

Society of Ritsumeikan Gastronomy Management

Operator:  Committee of Asian Food Study Conference

Supporters: (To be determined)

Conference Agenda

August 7th Welcome Dinner, Poster Presentations;

August 8th      Morning: Opening Ceremony, Keynote Speeches;

   Afternoon: Parallel Sessions (Oral Presentations);

August 9th     Morning: Parallel Sessions (Oral Presentations), Closing Ceremony;

   Afternoon: Fieldtrip

Topics for Presentation

•  Gastronomy and food landscapes in tourism;

•  Localization and Globalization of Gastronomy;

•  Fermented foods;

•  Beverages as tourist attractions;

•  Japanese food culture;

•  Gastronomy and food industry;

•  Artificial intelligence and changes of foodways;

•  Other topics related to food studies.

Dates of Importance

–  Conference Notice II (including registration information): April 15, 2025

–  Abstract Submission Deadline: May 30, 2025

–  Formal Invitation with abstract acceptance will be sent from: June 10, 2025

–  Presentation drafts (PPT/Speech Scripts) Submission Deadline: July 20, 2025

–  Conference Notice III (including detailed agenda): July 31, 2025

–  Registration Payment Deadline: August 7, 2025

Application

Please read the QR-code or take the link to fill the submitted form.     https://x.gd/wC5D5H

Interested researchers are encouraged to submit the title of presentation, a brief abstract (250 words) by May 30th, 2025.