[Nishiokopper Live] Friday, December 19 A Christmas live held at Nishiokoppe Guest House GA.KOPPER. From the smallest villagers to the biggest villagers everyone performed their chosen acts, watched, and enjoyed the evening.☆ The venue was the dining room warmed by a wood stove. Many paintings decorated the stage window and the corridor windows, and festive lights twinkled here and there. At Nishiokopper Live, as usual, homemade sweets were on sale, and food like tacos and okowa (steamed glutinous rice), drinks, and desserts were served, so our stomachs were treated as well. People danced, played kendama, did readings, conducted experiments, and made music…. The night closed with samba. - Did everyone receive a present from Santa? Setoushi‑kun received a lovely present and somehow his fur looks shinier. #Christmas Live #GA.KOPPER #Nishiokopper #Live #homemade sweets

#016 It's been raining a lot lately and hard to get comfortable, but we are gradually starting to feel the coolness of autumn. Before we know it, September is almost over. Next is October, and speaking of October... yes, Halloween!! This time, we introduce Halloween events held in Tsunocho. ●First, the Youth Association Liaison Council presents "Wine Hill Halloween Night" — come in costume and enjoy a fun evening together on the winery hill! October 18 (Saturday) 17:00–20:00 200 yen for those junior high school age and older ●Halloween Volunteer! This volunteer event is organized by the NPO Tawawa Heart Net. Dress up and pick up litter, then grab some candy afterward! October 18 (Saturday) 9:50–11:30 Capacity 30 people. Applications accepted until October 17! ※Apply via the QR code on the flyer photo. ●The Nakamachi district of Tsunocho will be decked out for Halloween! Children will go door to door in the district to collect treats. October 19 (Sunday) 13:00–15:00 (planned) First 60 applicants. Application period: September 14–September 28 ※Apply via the QR code on the flyer photo. There are many different events. Put on a Halloween costume and enjoy this once-a-year celebration.

The Summer Grand Thanksgiving is happening again this year📢 Summer Grand Thanksgiving! Date: Sunday, July 27 Time: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (5 hours only) Location: Setouchi Shoji store warehouse 17-2, Nishi 1-jo Minami 5-chome, Shintoku Town Phone: 0156-64-4313 From Minamifurano: Toba Farm Mini Tomatoes @tobatomato Thin-skinned, sweet mini tomatoes🍅 1 kg → ¥1,300 (tax included) Reservations accepted! From Eniwa: Tomoe Bagels @tomoebagel Chewy, fluffy and filling! ¥350–¥400 each ※Limited quantity From local Shintoku: Oyatsuya Hana (Snack Shop Hana) @oyatsuya_hana3 Taiwan castella cake, rich in eggs 🥚, moist and silky ¥200–¥230 each And finally, from the organizer Setouchi Shoji @setouchi.urapp4313 New release: Odaichi Tokachi Somen 1 bag 800 g – ¥500 (tax included) Semi-dried soba 200 g × 4 bags – ¥1,000 (tax included) We will also be selling these and accepting gift-season orders Why not take this opportunity to come by?💁‍♀️ We look forward to seeing you! #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku Station #Tokutoku Station-front Complex Facility #tuktuk #Tokutoku #Summer #Grand Thanksgiving #Mini Tomato #Bagel #Taiwan Castella #Soba #hokkaido #hokkaidotrip #hokkaidotourism #tourism #tokachi #shintoku #welcomeshintoku #discovershintoku

Kotobuki-dou Confectionery On this day, foodie Kasai followed the usual sweet aroma and dropped into Kotobuki-dou! My host that day was Mr. Takemura. The shop has been in business for about 64 years. Kotobuki-dou is locally famous for ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka. This ankoro mochi often appears at funerals around the Suwa area. Although I was born and raised in Suwa, I’ve rarely heard of an Otsukimi (moon-viewing) tradition here. I have heard of ohagi and botamochi, though. Foodie Kasai bought a roll cake, daifuku, and dango. The sliced roll had a gentle, high-quality fresh cream and that day it included chestnut, which made it irresistibly delicious. The daifuku had mildly sweet anko and soft mochi; each piece was bite-sized, so it’s recommended for women as well. The dango’s mitarashi glaze was perfect, coating each dumpling nicely; they’re bite-sized and easy to grab. The foodie was also tempted by the apple cake in the showcase. It wasn’t in the showcase that day, but my gourmet mentor “Satchan” at the station information desk highly recommends the cream puffs as exceptional, so everyone should try them if they get the chance! Mr. Takemura’s top picks were ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka. ◎ Kotobuki-dou Confectionery 📍 2-1-17 Suwa, Suwa City ☎ 0266-52-2555 ◎ Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:30 ◎ Regular holidays: January 1st; irregular holidays (closed once a month) ◎ Parking: 2 spaces (one in front of the house next to the shop and the other at the very front on the right side of the parking area across the street from the shop entrance.) Today, Gluttony Kasai went to Kotobuki-dou. Mr. Takemura introduced me to Kotobuki-dou. Kotobuki-dou is famous for ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka. I saw ankoro mochi at a funeral. This regional custom persists around the Suwa area. Also, in this area I don’t hear much about Otsukimi (moon viewing). That day I bought daifuku, a roll cake, and dango. The roll cake wasn’t too sweet; the cream was smooth and soft. The daifuku wasn’t too sweet either and came in bite-sized portions, so it’s easy for children and women to eat. The dango were also bite-sized; the mitarashi sauce matched them perfectly. Hmmm… so good! I was curious about the apple cake too. My gourmet mentor “Satchan” recommended the cream puffs, but they weren’t available that day. I’ll try them another day! Mr. Takemura’s recommendations are daifuku, dango, and salted monaka. ◎ Sweets place Kotobuki-dou ◎ 2-1-17 Suwa, Suwa City ☎ 0266-52-2555 ◎ Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:30 ◎ Regular holiday: January 1st; irregular holiday (closed once a month) ◎ Parking: 2 cars (please see pictures 10 and 11)

Taisha Senbei Suwa Shop On this day, foodie Kawanishi was drawn in by a sweet aroma and visited Taisha Senbei Suwa Shop. Since childhood, foodie Kawanishi has loved Taisha Senbei’s peanut senbei and castella senbei; they are among his favorite treats. Despite being busy, Mrs. Sasaki, wife of President Sasaki, spoke with foodie Kawanishi. Taisha Senbei’s history began with its founding in Shimosuwa Town near the end of the Taisho era, and the shop moved to Suwa City in 1955. The Suwa Confectioners’ Association roster from 2011 lists the founding year as Taisho 10 (1921), but the source of that information seems unclear. Still, you get the sense that Taisha Senbei belongs to Suwa. When people hear Taisha Senbei, don’t they picture the peanut senbei? Actually, the first item sold as Taisha Senbei seems to have been the castella senbei (unofficial). The peanut senbei bears the name “Taisha” on the snack itself, so people naturally imagine Taisha Senbei means peanut senbei. That’s not the case. At first, castella senbei was the product known as Taisha Senbei. Both peanut senbei and castella senbei have been popular signature items since the founding. I learned this only after hearing the story myself! Taisha Senbei’s origin story says the founder had a close relationship with the chief priest of Suwa Taisha’s Lower Shrine at the time. The priest asked the founder to make distributable treats that parishioners could receive during the Onbashira festival. The senbei the shop then made, called Asahi Senbei (today’s castella senbei), was allowed to be called “Taisha Senbei,” and so Taisha Senbei was born. I was deeply moved to finally learn the origin of a name I had wondered about since childhood. The recipes for Taisha Senbei are fixed in their basic proportions, but the craftsmen adjust them daily according to the season, temperature, and humidity. I believe this deep trust in the artisans is why Taisha Senbei has been loved in Suwa for so long. Taisha Senbei’s recommended products are, of course, all of their offerings, but one item that especially caught my eye was the salted yokan with walnuts. They use large walnuts so generously that you can plainly see big chunks of walnut with the naked eye. It’s a must-buy souvenir for walnut lovers!!! The tourist association reports that visitors from other prefectures often buy Taisha Senbei as souvenirs in Suwa, and the taste prompts questions like “Can this be bought online or at department stores?” That’s how popular it is. When you visit Suwa, please pick some up as a souvenir!!! ◎ Taisha Senbei Suwa Shop 📍 5320-9 Nakasu, Suwa City ☎ 0266-53-2777 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 – 17:15 ◎ Closed: Sundays ◎ Parking: About 10 spaces in front of the shop ◎ Website: http://taisyasenbei.jp//

✳︎Event Information✳︎ ~ Hirakawa Co., Ltd. Thanksgiving Festival ~ ◆Date Saturday, May 24th, 10:00–17:00 Sunday, May 25th, 10:00–15:00 ◆Location @cafeandbar.lazo This weekend, Hirakawa Co., Ltd. will hold a Thanksgiving Festival at cafe&bar LAZO. There will be displays of gas stoves and gas dryers from Rinnai and Noritz, and since they are offering festival special prices, feel free to stop by if you are considering replacing or upgrading appliances. If you rarely get to visit the bar at night, why not take this chance to peek inside the venue? From the morning you can enjoy the drinks usually served at the bar, plus the owner’s special closing parfait🍨 and various cream sodas, and you can also try sandwiches from @get_new_sand🥪. Why not visit Shintoku Town this weekend? #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku Station #Event Information #Tuktuk Complex in Front of the Station #tuktuk #tokutoku #hokkaido #hokkaidotrip #hokkaidotourism #tourism #tokachi #shintoku #welcomeshintoku #discovershintoku

The JTB special train “Tabimonogatari” has arrived! The JTB “Tabimonogatari” has made a stop here for three consecutive years since Reiwa 5. This year too, we welcomed guests on the station platform with about 34 minutes of hospitality. 🚃 About 60 guests enjoyed Shintoku soba tea, two kinds of soba-yu (rich soba-yu and dashi-infused soba-yu), and soba karinto, and we sold a limited assortment set. Afterward, guests took photos on the platform and in front of the station’s photo frame, and enjoyed shopping at the station shop. More than ten groups posed at the “Soba Red Photo Frame” installed immediately to the left after exiting JR Shintoku Station. At the station shop, the soba karinto offered for tasting proved so popular that it sold out. When we spoke with guests returning to the platform, we heard happy remarks like “It was very delicious” and “It goes well with tea,” with people holding soba karinto. We bade them farewell, hoping they will stop by again next year. A short announcement. The “Soba Red Photo Frame” in front of the station is not a face-in panel, but you can pose as if you are eating soba noodles. If you’re interested, please come visit JR Shintoku Station.💡 #Hokkaido #Hokkaido tourism #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #JR Shintoku Station #JR #Stella Station #JTB #Tabimonogatari train #hospitality #Station-front complex Tokutoku #tuktuk #Tokutoku #hokkaido #hokkaidotrip #hokkaidotourism #tourism #Tokachi #Shintoku #omotenashi #welcomeshintoku #discovershintoku

Introducing the kiosk inside Shintoku Station, Stella Station We sell souvenirs from Shintoku Town, drinks, snacks, and more, and we also offer something called a “Children’s Ticket” at the register. With the tickets we bought, children can exchange them for dagashi (cheap snacks) or drinks. They are for students up to high school and are handy as a snack before school or outings, or for when mom or dad won’t buy snacks (laughs). Here’s how the children use it: First they draw a ticket fortune (omikuji), then exchange it for a ticket, choose dagashi and drinks up to the amount shown on the ticket, and have the staff at the kiosk confirm the total is within the limit. Finally, the children write a thank-you message. These messages are displayed densely under the Stella Station sign, so please take a look. Watching this, I noticed some kids giving a piece of candy to friends with smaller amounts or pooling tickets with friends to get snacks together, and I was impressed by their friendship and thoughtfulness. Seeing the children, I bought a ticket with the coins in my wallet. I felt like I’d done a small good deed (laughs). This lovely initiative is happening inside Shintoku Station, so if you’re interested in it, if you’re looking for souvenirs in Shintoku, or even if you just want to kill time while waiting for a train, come and drop by—any reason is fine. #Hokkaido #Hokkaido tourism #Tokachi #Tokachi tourism #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku Station #kiosk #Stella Station #children’s fortune tickets #children’s omikuji #omikuji #children’s tickets #Toku-Toku station-front complex #tuktuk #TokuToku #hokkaido #hokkaidotrip #hokkaidotourism #tourism #tokachi #shintoku #welcomeshintoku #discovershintoku

Introducing Arao’s sweet shops! Alongside delicious cakes, you’ll find sweets made with Arao’s local specialties and confections inspired by the city of Arao! Try to discover them for yourself. Patisserie Himaki They pride themselves not only on flavor but also on a wide variety of cakes and baked sweets made with Arao pears. Genre Sweets Address 2-3-1 Higashiyayakata, Arao City Phone 0968-64-7112 Business hours 10:00 – 20:00 Closed Thursday Parking 6 spaces Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patisserie_himaki?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==...

Introducing Arao’s sweet shops! Alongside delicious cakes, you’ll find sweets made with Arao’s specialty products and confections inspired by Arao! Be sure to discover them. ◆European Confections MAEHIRO From classic to creative, we offer a wide range of sweets for many occasions. You’re sure to find a favorite. Address 2443-2 Arao, Arao City Phone 0968-62-1144 Hours 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Closed Wednesdays (may change for seasonal events) Parking Space available in front of the shop Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maehiro_cake?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==...

Announcement of the "Shintoku Shrine Mountain Spring Festival" Date: Sunday, April 27 Time: 10:00–15:00 Location: Shintoku Shrine Mountain An event will take place within the grounds of Shintoku Shrine Mountain🌸 And, after last year’s entertaining performance, you can enjoy Gassy’s magic show and balloon art again this year🎈 Also, visitors who make purchases at the vendor booths will receive lottery tickets, so this is an event you can enjoy from start to finish. There will be music, delicious food, and food stalls, so please stop by while viewing the cherry blossoms🌸 Shops @ueda.meat Koyanagi Foods @ramen_miurashouten @impulse_hokkaido_shintoku Chamber of Commerce Youth Division @yuka_cyoko Kotoise Twilight Showa Diner THE YARD @hokkohmilk Get New Sand Guest gassy0120 We look forward to seeing you💁‍♀️ Announcement of the "Shintoku Shrine Mountain Spring Festival" Date: Sunday, April 27 Time: 10:00-15:00 Location: Shintoku Shrine Mountain The event will be held within the grounds of Shintoku Shrine Mountain🌸 And last year, you can see Gassy's magic show and balloon art again this year🎈 In addition, those who shop at the exhibition booths will win a lottery ticket, so it's an event that you can enjoy to the fullest from start to finish. There will be music, delicious food, and food stalls, so please come and see the cherry blossoms🌸 #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku #Shintoku Shrine Mountain #Spring Festival #hokkaido #hokkaido_lovers #hokkaido_love #ilovehokkaido #hokkaidotrip #hokkaidolikers #hokkaidolove #hokkaidosgram #hokkaidotravel #tokachi #shintoku #welcomeshintoku

From Wednesday, March 5 to Monday, March 24, the 22nd Spring Hokkaido Products and Tourism Fair will take place at Tenmaya Okayama Main Store as part of Tenmaya Department Store’s 100th anniversary celebration. Jagachokotto makes its first appearance! It also makes a great White Day gift. Tenmaya Okayama Main Store Address: 2-1-1 Omotecho, Kita Ward, Okayama City TEL: (086) 231-7111

Nov. 27th in 2024 Today, the gluttonous Kasai went to a Japanese sweets shop for research again!!! It's Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch! But, everyone, do you notice anything in the pictures? Look! Look!!! I was so excited to go to Engetsu-dou that I forgot to take a picture of the shop's exterior... I'm really driven by my appetite... I'm ashamed... I'll make sure to do it next time! I spoke with Mrs. Katagiri, the proprietress of Engetsu-dou Hompo! It seems that they started with a different shop name 78 years ago (Showa 21), before it became Engetsu-dou. At first, it was in front of Kamisuwa Station! Four years later, they expanded to Kowada, and eight years after that, to Shimizu. Now, they have the Shimizu store and this Fukushima store, which opened in 1992, offering Japanese sweets at two stores in the city!!! The proprietress's recommendations are the revived "Kojou Monaka" and "Kabuto Monaka"!!! There are about four types of Monaka, and there are many different kinds. According to the proprietress, "Each Japanese sweets shop has a different red bean paste, so it's fun to try and find your favorite!" Also, she said "Recently, the number of foreign customers has been increasing little by little, and I think they may be paying attention to red bean paste because it is lower in calories than Western-style cream." ◎ Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch 📍Nakasu-Fukushima, 5398-1 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-58-1547 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Shimizu and Fukushima stores, every Tuesday ◎ Engetsu-dou Hompo Shimizu branch 📍Shimizu 1-2-12 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-52-1543 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 Nov. 27th in 2024 Today I went to Engetsu-dou Hompo which is Japanese traditional sweets (Wagashi) shop in Suwa city! “Wa” means Japan. “Gashi” means sweets. So, Japanese traditional sweets call Wagashi? They have two shops in Suwa, Shimizu-machi area and Fukujima area. I went to Fukujima location. Don’t you notice about pictures??? Did you? I was focus for Wagashi… That’s why I forgot to take a picture about Engetsu-dou’s exterior… That’s big mistake! Horrible!!! I’m so sorry about that. I’m gluttony. Wagashi was right front of me, I lost from Wagashi’s temptation. So, I forgot took the shop’s exterior photo… Ms. Katagiri (landlady) introduce her shop and Wagashi. They founded in 1946. About 78 years. The shop was front of Kamisuwa station. They started with the different name of the shop. It became Engetsu-dou in 1950. Shimizu-machi branch opened in 1958. Fukujima branch opened in 1992. I asked her, “what is your recommendation Wagashi?” She told me Kojou Monaka and Kabuto Monaka. Monaka is a Japanese sweet that is bean‐jam‐filled wafers. Also, she said “You can enjoy Wagashi every season, and each shop has original sweetened red bean paste. So, you can enjoy to find your favorite shop. Now, gradually increasing foreign customers. I think they realized Wagashi is less than calories compare to cake.” ★ Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch 📍Nakasu-Fukushima, 5398-1 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-58-1547 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Shimizu and Fukushima stores, every Tuesday ★ Engetsu-dou Hompo Shimizu branch 📍Shimizu 1-2-12 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-52-1543 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00

That day, greedy Kawanishi visited a wagashi shop he had long been curious about! It was Koshido, located in Suehiro, Suwa. I spoke with President Kurita. To my surprise, this long-established wagashi shop has been in business for 99 years since Taisho 14 (1925). The current president appears to be the third generation. By chance, five days before my visit, a local newspaper ran a story saying students from Suwa Jitsugyo High School had designed the shop’s classic packaging and stickers. Even amid such history, I was charmed by this flexible approach and arranged an appointment. According to the president, the Suwa Confectioners’ Association once included 60–70 shops, and many were in the city, but now only 17 remain. I want to cherish the wagashi culture left by earlier generations and pass it on. I personally love anko (sweet red bean paste), so I’ve always liked wagashi. That day I learned that wagashi can be enjoyed in every season, and I gained new insights!!! In spring there are sakura-mochi and kashiwa-mochi; for the equinoctial week there are botamochi and ohagi; in autumn there are inoko-mochi and tsutsugayu, and more. I hope to introduce these delicate and delicious wagashi to everyone! ◎ Koshido 📍 Suehiro 12-12-9, Suwa, Nagano Prefecture ☎ 0266-52-0920 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 – 18:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Closed Wednesdays ◎ Online shop: www.okashi-net.com/mall/koshido/ That day, I went to Koshido, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop in Suwa. Mr. Kurita is the shop’s president and craftsman. The shop has been open for 99 years, and he is the third generation. On November 9th, I saw a newspaper article about the shop: students from Suwa Jitsugyo High School designed stickers for the product. He told me that long ago there were 60–70 wagashi shops in Suwa city, but now only 17 remain. I feel it’s important to preserve this great tradition for future generations. I didn’t know wagashi could be enjoyed across the four seasons! It’s true. In autumn there are dango, inoko-mochi, and tsutsugayu; in spring there are sakura-mochi and kashiwa-mochi, among others. I still have much to learn about traditional Japanese sweets, and I will continue to write about seasonal wagashi from now on! ◎ KOSHIDO 📍 Suehiro 12-12-9, Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan ◎ Tel: 0266-52-0920 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 – 18:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays ◎ Online shop: www.okashi-net.com/mall/koshido/

Fashionable café in Minato Mirai The sea and the night view were beautiful

Sano-kaze Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo On this day, food lover Kasai visited Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo. This hand-baked senbei shop has been at this location for about 35 years. On the day, President Hiroko Kitahara, who also bakes the senbei, showed us around. Stepping inside, the first thing that struck me was the wide variety. For a true senbei fan like Kasai, the selection was almost bewildering 🍘. Among them were many kinds, including shimi senbei and lacquered senbei. Popular No.1 is nori No.2 is twice-dipped No.3 is apple senbei Next is nozawana wasabi Nozawana wasabi is quite unusual, isn’t it? You often see nozawana in prefectural souvenir shops, but “nozawana wasabi” is rare. Apple, nozawana, and wasabi are all Nagano specialties. Quince is a specialty of Suwa. Apricot, matcha, white sugar, brown sugar, shichimi, ichimi, miso, negi miso, walnut miso, garlic, and more… There may be more varieties here than anywhere else in Nagano Prefecture. Kasai’s recommendations are “garlic” and “twice-dipped.” The garlic offers a subtle garlic aroma, while the twice-dipped has a rich, well-infused flavor that lets you enjoy the savory depth of soy sauce. Because they are hand-baked, the texture is superb—this shop is recommended for those who like firm senbei. Among the standout items is “Fukutoku”!!! Some of you may recognize the name “Fukutoku.” It was made by President Kitahara’s grandfather. Unlike fortune cookies, Fukutoku contains a lucky charm inside!!! President Kitahara has apparently succeeded in reviving it in her generation, wanting to restore it somehow. And above all, Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo is hand-baked and right in front of the Grand Shrine!!! They sell by hand, and the shop sits very close to the torii of the Main Shrine ⛩. When visiting Suwa Grand Shrine’s Main Shrine, be sure to look for your favorite flavor or souvenirs at Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo, and take a stroll along the North Approach. ◎ Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo 📍 201 Nakasu, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture 392-0015 (Suwa Grand Shrine North Approach) ☎ 0266-58-1235 Hours: Weekdays 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (may vary) : Sat, Sun, and holidays 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ◎ Closed: Open year-round

[Autumn-Sky Market] Autumn markets often bring rain and chilly winds. This year was rare: the sun watched over us on both days. The market took place on September 22 and 23, and many people attended on the 22nd, the middle day of the three-day holiday. The soba and udon noodles sold out mostly on the first day alone, wiping out two days' worth of noodles. The chiffon cakes sold only at the event were so popular that they sold out by midmorning on both days. The piping-hot Ezo deer meatballs and venison braised in red wine were comfortingly warm and delicious. Vegetable stalls came from Seiryu no Sato, with rows of green onions, daikon radishes, and potatoes, and many people bought them as souvenirs. The children's festival booths were mobile on the first day and set up next to the Ezo deer meatballs on the second day, adding to the market's lively atmosphere. For 100 yen, kids could try the candy-fishing game three times, and a little expert who had the knack appeared, catching four sweets in one go. There was also a sales corner for ume and tea, making the market even livelier. Thank you to everyone who came! #Nishiokoppe Village #Market #Autumn #Roadside Station #Kamu #three-day holiday #Ezo deer meatballs #venison braised in red wine #Yume-mura Mori no Garden #soba and udon #chiffon cake #Setoushi-kun-yaki #Seiryu no Sato #vegetable sales #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi #children's festival booths

On this day, foodie Kawanishi visited Tokoro Terrace in Shiga Akanuma, Suwa, Nagano Prefecture. This stylish spot, known in Suwa for selling kanten, also houses a cafe and dining area.☕ Tokoro Terrace promotes making kanten part of everyday life with the motto “bringing kanten closer to you.” The person who introduced the shop that day was manager Kurane. Next to the shop and cafe is a factory specializing in tokoroten, so the tokoroten served here comes fresh from the adjacent factory!!! I dislike vinegar-and-soy dressing, and since I learned about kuromitsu I’ve been hooked♪ It’s virtually zero calories (excluding the kuromitsu lol)!!! Kanten comes in many forms—block kanten (bō kanten), string kanten, and powdered kanten—and it’s a versatile ingredient you can add to rice, miso soup, or salads. As a child, I couldn’t wait for the school lunch day with mandarin orange milk kanten and used to pace around the serving area... Kanten provides dietary fiber and doesn’t overpower other ingredients, so it shines in main dishes, appetizers, and desserts alike—truly the Shohei Ohtani of the ingredient world!!! That day I found a pack of 100 sticks of kanten; some customers buy that size a few times a year!!! The quantity and enormity were astounding lol At the cafe, they use that kanten in tokoroten, cream anmitsu (their most popular item), soft serve, and even the hugely popular pudding. They serve lunch (11:00–14:00), where a salad with added kanten enhances the flavors of the main dish. The place is welcoming to men and has counter seating, so you can easily enjoy a casual cafe visit or lunch.🍴 You can also enjoy coffee made from beans by Yuhigahama Coffee of Matsumoto alongside the sweets, so try them together.☕ The entire shop is barrier-free, so customers in wheelchairs can enter with confidence. Many visitors come in three generations—grandmother, mother, and grandchild—and enjoy the cafe together. Why not consider this as a souvenir from Suwa? ◎ Tokoro Terrace 📍 1545-1 Shiga, Suwa (5-minute drive from Suwa I.C. toward Lake Suwa; parking for 40 cars) ☎ 0266-52-1056 ◎ Hours: 10:00–18:00 ・ Shop hours: 10:00–18:00 ・ Cafe hours: 10:00–17:00 (Lunch 11:00–14:30) ◎ Closed: Thursdays and during the New Year holidays (Dec 31–Jan 2) ◎ Online shop available.

Nouvelle Bairindo Suwa Store (Confectionery House Nouvelle) On this day, foodie Kawanishi visited Nouvelle Bairindo Suwa Store (Confectionery House Nouvelle). It’s such a famous shop that virtually everyone in the Suwa area knows it! The exterior is stylish and, true to its name, evokes a charming confectionery house. Among Nouvelle’s offerings, the flagship item “Kurumi Yamabiko” is one of Kawanishi’s personal favourites. It uses fresh milk from the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Shinshu to make a slowly cooked special walnut caramel, which is wrapped in a crisp cookie. The cookie shell is not sweet, the walnut caramel inside is pleasantly sweet, and the balance between them is perfect!!! This treat is so addictive that you really can’t stop. Apart from my eldest son and second daughter, who have nut allergies, my whole family—including my parents—are huge, huge, huge fans www The company’s current president is said to be the creator of this hit product! Thank you so much for the supremely delicious Kurumi Yamabiko! It was released in 1985, so this year marks its 39th anniversary!!! The person who assisted us that day was Yudasaka, section chief of the administration department. According to him, Bairindo strongly values using local ingredients. Did you know each store also has shop-limited sweets? Here they are ↓ ・Suwa Store → Cream puffs ・Okaya Main Store → Waffles ・Shimosuwa Store → Shaved ice and pies (custard pie available at all stores plus a Shimosuwa-only original flavor) ・Chino Store → Soft serve ice cream (also sold at Okaya; Yamabiko soft is Chino-only) ・Cheesecake appears to be another store-limited sweet, so please do visit the stores! Hot on the heels of “Kurumi Yamabiko” is “Suwa no Tsuki.” The walnut caramel inside is the same as Kurumi Yamabiko, but here it’s mixed with white bean paste, making it extremely popular with elderly people who find Kurumi Yamabiko hard to swallow. Mixing in white bean paste improves the texture and throat feel, making it easier to eat than Kurumi Yamabiko — that’s why it’s so popular! It’s an impressive innovation. This conversation gave a glimpse of why it appeals to so many people. Ranking in the top three is Suwa Kurumi Caramel!!! It started with four designs representing nearby locations: Suwa → Karin, Shimosuwa → Manji stone Buddha, Okaya → Silk-rearing deity, Chino → Jomon Venus. The president was so eager to have representations for Hara Village and Fujimi that Hara Village’s celery and Fujimi’s tomato were created, completing characters for six neighboring municipalities. There’s actually a backstory behind Fujimi’s highland red ruby. A tomato grown by students in the horticulture department at Fujimi High School had been selected for judging at the Tokyo Olympics, but as everyone knows the Games were postponed by one year. When the president learned about the students’ tomatoes left without an outlet, he simply said, “Let’s use them as ingredients for the Highland Ruby!” That kind of manly decisiveness is electrifying. Those tomatoes continue to be sourced to this day. It made me think that the president’s commitment to local produce has produced these big hit items. Finally, Yudasaka’s top recommendation that day was the “Asaichi Cocco Sable.” The eggs come from chickens raised at Yatsugatake Central Agricultural Practical School in Hara Village. It’s a simple sable that remains soft while retaining a solid buttery flavour. Foodie Kawanishi’s personal top pick is the exquisite Kurumi Yamabiko!!! I learned for the first time that they also sell whole uncut loaves in their original shape, with wooden boxes or special knives included… it’s a dream product 🌟 If no one was watching, I’d probably bite straight into it www These appear only a few times a year!!! Maybe I’ll buy one as a birthday present 🎶 It’s an irresistible item for Kurumi Yamabiko lovers! Nouvelle Bairindo’s products also make wonderful souvenirs. Many sweets are inspired by or made with ingredients from the Suwa area. When my family brings souvenirs, Nouvelle Bairindo is our one and only choice w When people think of popular sweet souvenirs from the Suwa region, they think of Nouvelle Bairindo. If you visit the Suwa area or find their products at a retailer, please do buy and enjoy them!!! ◎ Nouvelle Bairindo Suwa Store (Confectionery House Nouvelle) 📍 1-2556-7 Jonan, Suwa, Nagano Prefecture 〒 ☎ 0266-54-7971 Hours & Closed days: 10:00–19:00 Closed only on New Year’s Day

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho specialty souvenir: Hanameguri (yokan and yuzu yokan) Hanameguri is a handmade yokan made from Gokase-grown azuki beans that are slowly simmered over time and carefully kneaded by hand for many hours. You can taste the full flavor of the azuki beans, and the exquisite balance of sweetness and saltiness reveals a profound flavor that opens your eyes the moment you bite into it. Enjoy a peaceful moment with this Gokasecho specialty paired with the rare kama-iri tea, a local prized tea.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho local product and souvenir: Babba Club’s karinto Karinto made by the Kawanochi district processing group Babba Club These additive-free snacks focus on safety and peace of mind. They also make Adam cookies and longevity senbei. Handmade pickles are also popular.

Today, I managed to get my favorite shiroi koibito in Hachioji, so I'm enjoying it paired with Yamazaki, a flagship Japanese whisky. An absolutely perfect match!

"Shintoku Jinja-yama DE Spring Festival" will be held. On Sunday, April 28th at 10:00 AM, the "Shintoku Jinja-yama DE Spring Festival" will take place on Shintoku Jinja-yama (the event will proceed in light rain and be canceled in severe weather). The day will feature performances by a brass band and a magic show, as well as food trucks, stalls from local shops, a candy toss, and a raffle, so please come and join us. Also, from Thursday, April 25th through Wednesday, May 10th, Shintoku Jinja-yama will host the "Shintoku-yama Jinja Night Cherry Blossom Light-Up," illuminating about 2,300 Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees from around the shrine office up the stairway into the precincts and nearby the shrine. The light-up runs daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and we look forward to welcoming many visitors. #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku-yama #Shintoku Shrine #cherry blossoms #Ezo-yamazakura #Shintoku Jinja-yama DE Spring Festival #brass band #magic show #food trucks #stalls #candy toss #raffle #night cherry blossoms #light-up #event

【Dango Information from Flowers ➀】 Although the cherry blossoms are still in bloom、、、 "Shinshu Suzaka sweets" of dumplings rather than flowers This is an introduction to the Limited Time sweets of "Chiyoka Seishindo" in front of Suzaka Station ~! !! Pure white sweets !️ 😋 😋 in the shape of "Shimaenaga", which is said to be a snow fairy and lives in Hokkaido Chiyoka Seishindo 1272 Babacho, Suzaka City 📞026-245-0385

【Botamochi Stone】 Because the shape of the stone is round and looks like a "botamochi", It is called "botamochi stone" or "botamochi masonry". "Botamochi stone" is a stone wall in which large round stones are stacked, and round stones are processed and stacked so that there are no gaps. It can also be seen in the Omi region, but it is rarely seen in other areas. The time and effort required to process it is enormous, and it takes more time and money than ordinary masonry. It is said that it took several days to stack one stone so that the outer surface was flat while processing the adhesive surface of the adjacent stones. It is said that the stonemasons in this region called it "totting" to fit the stone perfectly, and it was also said that "one stone should be attached to it a day." Since it is such a difficult and time-consuming construction method, there are no masons who have inherited the current masonry, and it is one of the things that reminds us of the time when Suzaka was greatly prosperous with raw silk. "Botamochi stone" can be seen at the Suzaka Classical Art Museum, Tanaka Honke Museum, Fuganji Temple, etc. I can. Enjoy walking around the city to see the masonry skills of the time. With the guidance of the Shinshu Suzaka tourist guide, you can walk around the city while listening to an easy-to-understand explanation of history and sightseeing. <Shinshu Suzaka Tourist Guide> ●About the number of people Used We will respond to a wide range of people, from one person to a group. ●Guide fee About 2 hours 3,000 yen About half day 5,000 yen Up to 20 people will be accommodated at the above price ●How to apply As a general rule, please apply to the Shinshu Suzaka Tourism Association at least one week before the date of use. There is no resident guide. Please be sure to make a reservation. Phone or fill out the prescribed application form, fax, e-mail, or bring it to us. The application form can also be downloaded from the Shinshu Suzaka Tourism Association Home page. The tourism association will contact you for confirmation at a later date. ●Inquiries Shinshu Suzaka Tourism Association ☎026－215－2225 FAX026－215－2226

Screening and Donut Sale We used Guesthouse GA.KOPPER in Nishiokoppe Village to hold film screenings on January 19 and 20. Photographers captured Hokkaido’s wildlife. Set to music and shown on a grand scale, the film offered about 80 minutes of close attention to their lives and deaths. After the screening on the 20th, we held a sale of handmade sweets, including donuts. Hot drinks such as bamboo-grass chai and royal milk tea were also very popular. Donuts, chocolate, bagels, and cookies— the handmade, charming treats sold out in no time as people hardly had a moment to admire them. Thank you to everyone who came out!

[Screening and Homemade Sweets Sale] The documentary film "Ikitoshi Ikeru Mono", which has previously been shown in cinemas, captures wild animals living in Hokkaido. By chance, we will hold a screening in Nishiokoppe Village in January. The venue is Guesthouse GA.KOPPER in Nishiokoppe Village. The screening schedule is as follows: Friday, January 19th, 18:00–20:00 Saturday, January 20th, 10:00–12:00 On the 20th, homemade sweets such as donuts will also be on sale. We look forward to your visit to the screening.

Nishiokopper Live On the night of December 25 last year, Christmas night. One after another, cars began to stop in front of Guesthouse GA.KOPPER. When I opened the entrance, the first thing that caught my eye was the Christmas market. Handmade cookies and bagels were lined up in a row, and a few children were helping out at the stalls. In the dining hall that served as the venue, decorations sparkled. The windows filled with visitors’ drawings and writings had their own charm. While watching the performances by “Nishiokopper,” we relaxed and enjoyed food and drinks that night. We saw many sides of Nishiokopper: instrumentals and singing with dancing, a video presentation, and a reading set to koto music as background. The pumpkin parfait I had after my turn was very delicious. I’ll patiently wait for the day when Nishiokopper gathers again.

[New Year's Event] We held various New Year's events on New Year's Day! Here's how it 💁🏻 ♀️ looks First of all, we distributed candy lucky bags for children! A lucky bag 🍭 with a lot of sweets such as delicious sticks We prepared two types, lion dance and dharma, but it seems that 😏 the dharma bag was more popular For adults, behave 🍶 sake Japan sake from New Year's Day is exceptional! When you put salt on the spout and drink it, the taste of the sake stands out and is delicious, so I also prepared salt. Please try 💁🏻 ♀️ it at home And we also had mochitsuki! First, the general manager and deputy general manager show off their mochi tsuki! By the way, the general manager is 🐲 a man who is old this year At the end, we handed out red and white mochi! There were two colors of rice cakes, red and white, which are ♪ perfect for the New Year In addition, we were able 👏🏻 to hold an event full of New Year's feeling, such as offering afternoon tea🧁 limited to New Year's at noon We hope you enjoyed it! This year, we will continue to plan more and more events that will please everyone, so please join 🙋🏻 ♀️ us

The hit series “Uma Musume Pretty Derby” has teamed up with Tomakomai’s famous sweet “Yoi Tomake”!! Sansei’s “Yoi Tomake” appears in a collaboration package!! 🥳🎉 On the side of the package, Tomakomai tourism ambassadors Uma Musume “Hokko Tarumae” and Tomachop appear together in a photo!! 💖 The inner package features a profile of “Hokko Tarumae,” so if you’re curious, please visit Tomakomai!! 📢⚡ Available at the Tomakomai Tourist Information Center as well! 🙋‍♀️ Uma Musume Pretty Derby Yoi Tomake Hokko Tarumae Ver. Price: 780 yen (tax included) Where to buy: Sansei and Tomakomai Tourism Association