insights from frontier Japan

JALUX, a trading company of the Japan Airlines Group, has launched its own product brand ‘Tokachikara,’ in cooperation with companies in the Tokachi region. As part of the first phase, two types of confectionery made with Tokachi ingredients have been developed.

The harvesting of ‘Kentaro’ strawberries, characterized by their rich fruity flavor and sweetness, began on April 20 at the ‘Ichigo Bunko’ facility in the town of Toyoura in the Iburi region of central Hokkaido, where growers continue to be trained. Local Vitalization Cooperators who are aiming to become farmers, carefully picked the large, ripe strawberries by hand. It is also the harvest season for Kentaro strawberries on farms in the town.

Sweetcorn stalls in Odori Park (Chuo-ku), a tradition that heralds the arrival of spring in Sapporo, opened for business this season on April 23. The aroma of grilled sweetcorn filled the air around the stalls, and passersby were quick to make purchases.

The Konbumori Fisheries Cooperative in the Eastern Hokkaido town of Kushiro started spring stocking of young sea urchins on April 14. From April through May, the Cooperative plans to stock a total of 2.2 million sea urchins (approx. 60 million yen) over four days, which is on par with the normal amount. Amidst the continued threat of red tides yet again this year, fishermen are praying for the sea urchins to grow healthily so they can be harvested in about four years from now.

In the Minamikayabe district of Hakodate, thinning work is in full swing for ma-kombu kelp force-cultivated to grow in one year. The sight of fishermen leaning out over the top of their boats and thinning out the kelp by hand is a seasonal tradition heralding the arrival of spring in this major production area of deluxe-class kelp.

The private dessert brand developed by CO-OP Sapporo called "Toyohiko Sweets" started selling at their Shiga East location (Misonocho, Noboribetsu).

Fixed-net cherry-salmon fishing is in full swing off the coast of Esashi in the Hiyama region of southern Hokkaido. On April 7, five fishing boats set out early in the morning, returning to land a steady stream of live cherry salmon at Esashi Port.

In the town of Mukawa, located in the Central Hokkaido Iburi region, harvesting of the local specialty spring lettuce has reached its peak season. The leaves are reportedly tender and deliciously sweet.

On April 2, Hop Kotan Brewing in the town of Kamifurano in the Kamikawa region held an event at the Tap Room BEER KOTAN in Chuo-ku, Sapporo, to unveil low-malt beer made with sake lees from the Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery in the town of Kamikawa. Participants in the event were able to savor the appeal of both companies at the same time.