Flower Dream Marche a Big Hit! May 3 (Sat) – May 5 (Mon) The spring Nishiokoppe Village Marche ran for three days. As expected this time too, the Roadside Station parking lot filled with cars 🚙 When I arrived, I started by savoring venison with Ezo deer balls and red wine stew. A bowl of soba or udon topped with spring mountain vegetable tempura slid down smoothly. The mountain vegetables were yomogi (mugwort) and gyoja garlic (wild garlic). I felt the spring and replenished my energy. For souvenirs, I took home Setoushi-kun yaki and a chiffon cake. I had been looking forward to the fluffy chiffon cake, so I was glad to get one before it sold out! The children’s festival booth buzzed with candy fishing and a lottery to win toys. Booths selling plums, garlic, and tea added to the scene, and the vendors looked friendly and cheerful. There were moments when strong winds threatened to disrupt things, but the three days concluded safely. Thank you very much to everyone who visited! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Flower Dream #Nishiokoppe Village Marche #Ezo deer balls #Yumemura Mori no Garden #Baishin #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi

Grass Roll Painting Returns! Last year, we painted Setoushi-kun on a pair of stacked grass rolls, and the result proved more popular than expected, so we decided to do it again this year! Grass Roll Painting This year’s installation is in front of the management building at the Forest Park. If you spot a large orange object from around the intersection by the post office, that’s the grass roll. Using oil-based paint and markers, and with help from children visiting the park, we finished the painting. There’s even the autograph of that person who visited during Golden Week! The display will remain until around autumn. If you pass by, please come and take a look. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Forest Park #Grass Roll #Painting #Orange cow pattern #No face #Setoushi-kun

[Outdoor Screening & Star‑Gazing Night] Saturday, May 24 Would you like to watch a movie and the stars in Nishiokoppe Village? We will set up a screen at the Forest Park and show the French animated film Linda Wants to Eat a Chicken! Japanese dubbed version. Running time: 76 minutes. This colorful film tells the story of a mother and daughter who chase the taste of memories. Look forward to it. 🌃After the movie, it’s star time🌃 The mobile observatory vehicle Polaris No. II will come from Nayoro Municipal Observatory Kitāsubaru. After a 20‑minute talk about the stars, you can use Polaris No. II until around 9:00 p.m. Whether you usually look up at the night sky or you rarely have time to see the stars, let’s all gaze at the same sky together that night. ☂️In case of rain☂️ The venue will move to the Community Center (Hotel Rimu) large hall, where we will hold the screening and the star talk. [Event Details] Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Venue: Forest Park ※In case of rain: Community Center large hall Fees: High school students and older: 700 yen Junior high school students and younger: 300 yen Preschool children: Free Snacks and drinks will be sold at the venue. Restaurant Ku‑raku offers both dine‑in and takeout options 🤤 For event inquiries, contact below ↓↓ Tourism Information Facility “Sato‑zum” 0158-85-7125 ※Phone hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Please bring mats or chairs. Nights are still chilly, so dress warmly. We look forward to seeing you there. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Event #Screening #Linda Wants to Eat a Chicken! #Star‑gazing #Nayoro Municipal Observatory Kitāsubaru #Polaris No. II

Kam Flower Park Snow still paints the surroundings white, but flowers that welcome spring have begun to show their faces. The flower park attached to the Roadside Station "Kam" had been closed for winter, but it opened on Saturday, April 26. The park is free to enter through Golden Week. After that, normal admission fees apply. Here are a few flowers photographed on Friday, April 25. azumaichige ezōengosaku katakuri kibananomana Christmas rose daffodil chionodoxa puschkinia (white, blue) European katakuri (still in bud. The yellow flowers will bloom in a little while) When you stop by Kam, why not take a short walk out to the flower park? Roadside Station "Kam" CAPO Marche in Nishiokoppe Village runs May 3 (Sat) to May 5 (Mon)! Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a public holiday, closed the day after the holiday) Admission: Roadside Station ⇒ free Flower Park ⇒ 200 yen for high school students and older Contact: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Kam #Flower Park #flowers

[Kamu hosts a Marche!] The Nishiokoppe Marche takes place every spring and autumn. It’s happening again this year! May 3 (Sat) – May 5 (Mon) 10:00–15:00 Enjoy foods like Ezo venison balls and udon or soba, plus a children’s fair. Since last year, umeboshi and candied sweet potato sticks have been added to the lineup. There are plenty of events across the village during Golden Week. After playing at Komu Forest Park, relax with a break at Kamu (*^-^*). [Roadside Station "Kamu"] May 3 (Sat) – May 5 (Mon): Nishiokoppe Marche! Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Tuesdays *If Tuesday is a public holiday, the following day is closed. Admission: Roadside Station ⇒ Free Flower Park ⇒ 200 yen for high school students and older Contact: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Kamu #Nishiokoppe Marche #Ezo venison balls #Yumemura Forest Garden #Doremi Puppet Theater Circle #Baishin

[Kimu’s GW Festival] Golden Week is just around the corner. We recently announced an event at the Forest Park, and this time we’d like to introduce the Golden Week festival at the forest art museum Kimu. The festival runs for three days from Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 5. 〇 Saturday, May 3 Singer-songwriter JUN will perform live! He will play both original songs and covers. Performances are from 13:00–13:30 and 15:00–15:30. 〇 Sunday, May 4, 13:00 Join the Mölkky knocking contest, where you throw wooden pins (Mölkky sticks) to topple wooden skittles. The first 10 people to arrive can participate. There are participation prizes, so please join in. 〇 Monday, May 5 Why not try decorating a wooden castanet? This popular workshop is becoming a regular feature. The fee is 200 yen per item. Workshop times are 10:00–11:30 and 13:00–15:00. Each session is limited to 20 groups. Both the Mölkky contest and the castanet decorating workshop take registrations on the day on a first-come, first-served basis. Please enjoy the exhibits inside Kimu as well as the events! ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ Because a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, the museum’s closed days before and after Golden Week differ from the usual schedule. Please check the opening schedule before visiting. [Forest Art Museum Kimu] Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 Admission: 500 yen for high school students and older / 300 yen for 4th–6th graders and junior high students / 100 yen for ages 3 to 3rd grade elementary / free for under 3 Inquiries: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Event #Forest Art Museum Kimu #GW #JUN #Mölkky #Decorating wooden castanets

Hydrangea Wreath Thursday, April 10 From Onesmanorgarden We invited garden planner Instructor Sato to lead a hydrangea wreath-making lesson. How to make the wreath: Attach dried hydrangeas and other flowers, berries, and leaves to a base. It sounds very simple in words, but dried flowers crumble easily, and the attaching work requires a lot of technique. It’s hard to handle them gently while securing them firmly… Looking at the other participants, they used a unified color palette for their materials and arranged them thoughtfully. They balanced areas with abundant, soft volume and places made sleek and tidy. I just attached things as they came and barely finished, but seeing the completed piece still filled me with joy. I also learned how to make a stylish ribbon. Thank you, Instructor Sato, and everyone who joined the lesson! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Spring #Wreath making #Hydrangea

Window Art at KAMU Saturday, April 5 Children and adults gathered at KAMU, picked up crayons, and painted pictures on the windows. Being able to freely draw on the windows of a public building has become a regular event in Nishiokoppe Village, but it may still be a rare opportunity for many. From large panes to narrow ones, the windows filled up with drawings. Some people focused on a single window by themselves, while others created collaborative works with friends next door. One great thing about window art is you can capture both the artwork and the artist’s expression from across the way in a single photo. Photos posted on social media often hide faces, but we still managed to take many lively shots this time. Midway through the event, shadows of the drawings and the artists appeared on the floor, so we snapped a photo. We were also happy that a parent and child who happened to stop by KAMU joined in the drawing. The window art will be on display until around the end of Golden Week in May. If you’re nearby, please come and see the artwork. The five windows beside the mechanical organ are adorned with works by volunteer villagers, so don’t miss them. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Spring #Roadside Station KAMU #Window Art

Full Bloom Could this be the earliest in Hokkaido…? The cherry trees have bloomed earlier than usual this year. Inside the Forest Museum Kimu. The Kimu staff worked together to create the tree, grow its branches, and bring the flowers to life. Mornings and evenings are still chilly, but seeing the cherry blossoms makes us feel spring is drawing near. When you visit Kimu, please enjoy the cherry trees in full bloom! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Earliest Bloom #Cherry Blossoms #Forest Museum Kimu

Fire in the Snow Late March during spring break. Just when it seemed to be warming up, Nishiokoppe Village experienced unsettled weather, feeling a bit chilly with snow flurries in the sky. Still, the children who gathered despite the cold built bonfires and played in the snow, showing lively energy. The children started the bonfires themselves. They practiced using matches and thought about how to arrange the wood so it would catch fire easily. Once the bonfire was burning well, the smoke completely hid the faces of those standing on the far side. Beside the fire, adults and children alike engaged in a wholehearted snowball fight. The roasted sweet potatoes turned out warm and delicious. The season when you can see both snow and bonfires may be coming to an end soon. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #winter #snow #spring break #bonfire #roasted sweet potatoes #snowball fight

Marigold Dyeing On an unspecified day in March, a wood-learning activity for preschoolers included a dyeing experience. As the marigolds simmered, the clear water gradually took on color. The children twisted bottle caps into the fabric and tied them tightly with rubber bands. They then dropped the mysteriously shaped bundles of cloth into the pot one after another. After some time, they took the cloth out of the pot and dipped it into a liquid with “magic powder” dissolved in it… The cloth came out dyed a gentle yellow. The marks from the caps and rubber bands formed pleasing patterns, creating original dyed fabric. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #flowers #dried flowers #dyeing #wood learning

Make a wreath using dried hydrangea! On Thursday, April 10th, a wreath-making workshop will be held! The instructor is garden planner Yuka Sato. Last year she led a gathering design class and a workshop on New Year’s straw-decoration–style arrangements. As you work while listening to Sato’s little stories, you get absorbed and time slips away before you know it. We’re as excited to hear what she’ll talk about this time as we are about the workshop itself! Date and time: Thursday, April 10th, 2:00 p.m. ※About two hours Participation fee: 3,000 yen Venue: Tourism information center Rizumu (Rizumu) Apply: Rizumu 0158-85-7125 Deadline: Thursday, April 3rd, by 5:00 p.m. We know weekdays during the day can be hard for many to attend, but if this time works for you, please feel free to get in touch. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Flowers #Dried flowers #Wreath making

"Paint on the windows and welcome spring" At Roadside Station Hanamu We will hold a window art event! Date and time: Saturday, April 5th, 10:00–11:00 Meeting and dismissal point: Roadside Station Hanamu This event's theme is "Flowers and Insects." We hope the interior will feel full of spring. Participation is free. Everyone is welcome. We will use water-soluble crayons, so please wear clothes that can get dirty. Also, preschool children must attend with a guardian. Registration: Until 5:00 PM on Friday, April 4th Please contact the phone numbers below. 0158-85-7125 (Tourist Information, Kurashima) 090-1384-4167 (Komai) The drawings you create will be exhibited until around the Golden Week holidays in May. Volunteer works by residents of Nishiokoppe Village will also be on display, so when you visit Nishiokoppe Village, please stop by Roadside Station Hanamu. We look forward to your participation in the event! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station Hanamu #Window Art #Event #Spring

[Special Exhibition Now On!] At the Forest Museum Komu, a special exhibition has been on display since late February! “Colorful Woods” and tek’s room “tek’s Room” Step through Komu’s entrance and you’ll be greeted by a wide selection of goods. If the bird ornaments catch your eye and you move closer, you’ll find small wooden accessories, puzzles, card cases, and tek’s original stamps and cards on display. Next to the shelves are mini mirrors and Moku Animal gachapon. I spun it once myself and won an Ezo deer! Beyond the large slide and wooden sandbox, there is an exhibition area with works you can touch and play with. When I tried the puzzle I’d noticed at the entrance, it was really difficult…! It’s the kind of challenge many people should try and experience with their hands. Please also take your time to admire the works displayed in the glass cases. The exhibition runs through Monday, March 31st. Opening hours: 10:00–16:30 Closed on Tuesdays Admission fee required For inquiries, please call the number below 📞 0158-87-2600 We look forward to your visit! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu #Special Exhibition #Tanno Seisakusho #tek #Stamp Rally

CAPO Marche Here is information about our pop-up in Sapporo📢 We will be selling local specialties at CAPO, a shopping facility directly connected to oyachi station. You can find the specialty products we recently introduced on this account, including Setoushi-kun-yaki, canned venison and bear meat, and dairy products. In addition to Nishiokoppe Village, booths will feature delicious items from Morimachi, Nanae Town, Shikabecho, and Setanacho. Period: Friday, March 14th to Sunday, March 16th (three whole days!) Time: 10:00–17:00 Location: 1F event space When you visit CAPO, please stop by the event space. ＊＊＊＊＊ capo oyachi Ooyachi Higashi 3-3-20, atsubetsu ward, Sapporo City ☎︎011-893-3100 (9:30–18:00) https://www.capo-ohyachi.jp... ＊＊＊＊＊ #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #capo oyachi #Sapporo #Event #CAPO Marche #Venison can #Bear can #Setoushi-kun-yaki #Milk Design

Kon-gari, Fluffy Setoushi-kun Cakes Setoushi-kun Cakes These baked sweets, shaped like Nishiokoppe Village’s mascot Setoushi-kun, resemble baby castella cakes. They are made by Yume-mura Mori no Garden. This group tends the garden behind Hotel Rimu and Kourakuen, and developed a souvenir confection that visitors can take home, launching sales in 2021, the Year of the Ox. Setoushi-kun Cakes are made like taiyaki, poured into Setoushi-kun molds and baked. Skilled hands precisely and swiftly pour just the right amount into each mold. When the timer rings and the mold opens, a golden-brown Setoushi-kun appears. Freshly baked ones are rarely available to eat on the spot, but I enjoyed one between shots during the photo session. Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside. They have a comforting, gentle flavor. The batter includes white birch sap harvested in Nishiokoppe, which gives them their natural sweetness. (White birch sap is rich in 17 types of amino acids, minerals, and vitamin C—one of the selling points of Setoushi-kun Cakes😎) * * * * * From summer through autumn, they appear at events, and are sold once a month at various village facilities. (Q Mart, Roadside Station Kam, Komu Museum of Art, and Hotel Rimu) Flavors: plain and chocolate chip 10 pieces 300 yen If you see them, why not try one? #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Yume-mura Mori no Garden #Setoushi-kun #Setoushi-kun Cakes #Baked confection #white birch sap

[February Pop-up by Yukimichi Bookshop] Wednesday, February 12 With Valentine’s Day nearing, the books on display that day were chosen around the theme of "love." A plush "t" hanging in the room was irresistibly cute. If you look closely, there was also something black hiding behind the books 🐕 Next to the room of books sat perfectly round chocolate treats. While nibbling the sweets, visitors could try making bookmarks from scraps of deerskin. We stamped letters with a wooden mallet to emboss names or favorite words into the deerskin. Paired with colored cords (also deerskin!), the result was absolutely lovely. I only snapped a few photos and left early that day, so I want to take my time browsing the books next month… The location is unchanged The venue is Pom, between the village office and Kikuchi Store. Feel free to drop by. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Yukimichi Bookshop #Shimokawa Town #Bookstore #Pop-up #Pom #February 12 #Record

Hampelman Making and Special Exhibition with Tanno Seisakusho & tek —Komu Museum of Art— Usually a play space, this week the venue becomes the site of a special exhibition for about one month. On the opening day of the exhibition you can make a Hampelman. Pull the string and parts of this wooden toy flap and move. Hampelman The sound of the word is lovely. It slightly brings to mind hanpen, although it has nothing to do with hanpen. —Hampelman Making— Date and Time: Saturday, February 22, 1:30 PM–3:00 PM Participation Fee: Free ※Museum admission is charged separately Capacity: 10 people ※Reservations given priority Instructor: tek Tanno Yuri —Special Exhibition— "Colorful Woods" — The Play of Tree Colors  & tek's room: "tek's Room" Exhibition From Tanno Seisakusho there will be displays of wooden stationery, puzzles, and small items made from scrap wood. From tek come animal-motif objects and other works. Exhibition Period: Saturday, February 22–Monday, March 31 10:00 AM–4:30 PM ※Open from 1:00 PM on the first day 〇Closed on Tuesdays 〇Museum admission required For inquiries about either event, please call the number below📞 0158-87-2600 We look forward to your visit! Enjoy the gallery’s refreshed displays too. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu #Special Exhibition #Tanno Seisakusho #tek #Hampelman Making

Racing Down on Cardboard Sleds Tuesday, February 11 As an event to celebrate 30 years with zero traffic-fatality accidents, a cardboard sled race was held. There were individual and team categories, and cardboard sleds that must have been crafted with great care sped down the ski slope! Even though they were all made from the same material—cardboard—each sled had its own personality. I joined the team category and built a sled one week before the race. When I added nylon to the parts that touch the snow, it slid with surprising speed. The sled bounced over small bumps, making for a very thrilling ride. Including the time spent building the sled, it was a fun event! The sled that won the team category is on display at the ski area. Feel free to slide and play with it until it breaks! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Traffic Safety #Cardboard Sled Race #Ski Area

I visited Saijo Shibetsu store! Saijo Shibetsu store is holding a birthday festival to celebrate its 28th anniversary! For two days during the festival, wooden toys from Nishiokoppe Village were placed in a special area on the first floor. From the Komu Museum of Art we brought a wooden sandbox filled with hundreds of wooden balls, wooden puzzles, toy cars, and a Miracle Korokoro Tower where marbles roll for fun. A castanet-making workshop was also held in one corner of the venue! We spent two soothing days listening to the happy voices of visiting children and the warm sounds of the wooden balls. Next to the Nishiokoppe Village booth was a croquette vendor from Bifuka. Both the potato and pumpkin croquettes were delicious! They were wonderfully crispy. And Setoushi-kun collaborated with Bifuka-kun and Bifuka-chan! Some children looked puzzled when the mascots appeared, but it was heartening to see those who were delighted. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! Once again, congratulations to Saijo Shibetsu store on its 28th anniversary!! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Saijo Shibetsu store #Birthday festival #Congratulations #Komu Museum of Art #Leather craft #Local specialty sales #Setoushi-kun #Bifuka-kun #Bifuka-chan

[We are open on the public holiday!] A message from Komu Museum of Art in the forest. Next week, Tuesday the 11th is a public holiday, so we will be open! Instead, we will be closed on Wednesday the 12th. Please note that our closed days differ from the usual schedule. On the 11th, a cardboard sled race will take place at the ski area! The event is scheduled from 10:00 to 11:30. Only village residents can compete, but what kinds of sleds will appear, and will the contest heat up… Come and see for yourself! [Komu Museum of Art in the forest] Admission: 500 yen for high school students and older / 300 yen for 4th–6th graders and junior high students / 100 yen for ages 3 to 3rd grade elementary / free for under 3 years old Contact: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu Museum of Art #Indoor play area #Open on public holidays #February 11th

30-Unit Kite Flying Challenge Friday, January 24 A challenge praying for 30 years without traffic fatalities was held. Thirty kites, each hand-drawn by elementary school students from Nishiokoppe Village. It had been snowing lightly that day, but when it was time to fly the kites the snow stopped and a gentle wind picked up. The students lined up in a single row holding the kites. Starting from one end they let go in order, and after a few attempts the kites shot into the sky to cheers. Once they caught the wind the kites showed no sign of returning to the ground, swaying in the breeze (their tips whipping wildly). #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #30-Unit Kite Flying #Prayer #Traffic Safety #Kids enthralled by the drone #Challenge a great success

Hoarfrost Has Appeared Wednesday, January 22 A friend messaged me, "It looks beautiful right now," and I was able to take a good look at the hoarfrost. Just driving a short distance from the town toward Okoppe, I spotted trees with white-tipped branches here and there. It was a clear, sunny day. The blue sky behind the hoarfrost was beautiful. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Hoarfrost #Nature #Snowy Scenery #Animal tracks at my feet

[Demons Are Waiting] Winter break ended, and ski classes have begun in Nishiokoppe Village. Komu Museum of Art has changed its indoor decorations for the season. Handmade snakes, oni demons, and ehomaki sushi rolls crafted by the staff welcome visitors. Was Setoushi-kun eaten, or did Setoushi-kun become an oni...? Come see the real thing for yourself! ＊＊＊＊＊ [Now Recruiting Participants for Woody Winter School] Komu Museum of Art is an indoor wooden playground. Why not play to your heart’s content on large wooden play equipment and handmade wooden toys? Opening hours (winter): 10:00–16:30 Closed: Tuesdays (the following day if a public holiday) Admission: High school and above 500 yen / Grades 4–6 and junior high 300 yen / Ages 3 to Grade 3 100 yen / Under 3 free Inquiries: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu #oni #Setsubun #ehomaki #Setoushi-kun #snake #indoor decorations

Let’s Light Up Winter Nights Just when the cold seemed to deepen the temperature rose, leaving a strange feeling. In Nishiokoppe Village this month marks 30 years with zero traffic fatalities on the 30th. To celebrate the achievement, ice candles will be lit from Monday the 20th through Thursday the 30th, from the nursery in front of Hotel Rimu. The nights remain sharply cold, but may the sight of these lights warm your heart. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Hotel Rimu #Ice candle #Prayer #Traffic safety #Lights also burn in front of Satozumemu

Bookstall Yukimichi on the Road From neighboring Shimokawa Town with books in tow They came again this year. Yukimichi Bookstall. Curated selections around a theme are displayed at Pom. January’s theme was ecology. It’s fun to flip through the changing monthly lineup wondering which books are here today. Quietly snapping photos of people absorbed in their books. That day also featured an English picture-book reading by the ALT from Nishiokoppe Village. Next month is scheduled for February 12. The location is a bit hard to find, but it’s between the village office and Kikuchi Shop. Please drop by. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Yukimichi Bookstall #Shimokawa Town #Bookstore #Pop-up #Pom #Souvenir Lucky Bag #January 15 #Record #Next: February 12

[Ski Resort Opening] From Wednesday, January 15th Miyanomori Ski Resort has opened! With little snowfall, the lifts operate only to the mid-station. Please wait a little longer for access to the summit. Lift rides are free of charge. Night skiing is available on some days of the week! Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and more to your heart’s content. Contact: Nishiokoppe Village Board of Education 📞0158-87-2501 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Ski Resort #Winter #Now Open

Woody Winter School is starting! From Saturday, February 1 to Friday, February 28 We will hold the 28th Woody Winter School! Would you like to build a Unic truck with woodworking instructors? Held every week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Time: 10:00–16:00 ※Lunch break 12:00–13:00 Location: Nishiokoppe Village Somukan woodworking room Participation fee: ¥10,000 (¥5,000 for village residents) ※Accommodation and meals are not included. This woodworking class lets you work at your own pace during the period. Estimated building time is about 15 hours (3–4 days). Capacity is five groups! If you are interested, please contact Komu Museum of Art. 📞0158-87-2600 Application period is until Saturday, February 8. We look forward to your participation! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #woodworking #mokuiiku (wood learning) #woodworking class #woodworking instructor #Woody Winter School #Somukan

Woodworking Instructor and Box Making Held at the Childcare Support Center A box-making class led by a woodworking instructor. This is the woodworking instructor who has been with Nishiokoppe Village since April last year. We often meet and talk, but I rarely get to observe a woodworking lesson, so I decided to watch the box-making class. The materials and tools needed are wooden boards, wood glue, nails, and a sledgehammer (genno). They were making a box the perfect size for a pen holder. The four boards for the sides had grooves to fit the bottom board. There were even nail starter holes where the nails would be driven. (With these holes you can tell exactly where to drive the nail and the nail stays steady, so it’s easier to hammer.) Even for a simply constructed box, such thoughtful details make the work much easier to carry out. This time, to get used to handling the sledgehammer, they deliberately included the step of driving nails into the box. After gluing the boards together to form the box, they drove nails to secure the boards to each other. Driving nails straight and keeping the boards from shifting is fairly difficult. Watching the woodworking instructor handle it lightly with a rhythmic “ton, ton, ton,” I thought, as expected, they’re skilled. We moved to Somukan (a workshop the villagers can use for free!) to finish with sanding and other final touches, and then it was complete. That was a look at the box-making class. ＊＊＊＊＊ From Saturday, February 1 to Friday, February 28, the 28th Woody Winter School will take place! Details will be posted in another update📢 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #woodworking #mokuiiku (wood learning) #woodworking class #woodworking instructor #childcare support #sledgehammer (genno) #I had always called it a tacker or hammer #Woody Winter School

Making Miso The other day, I attended a miso-making gathering. It was a small event where people who make miso for their own table met with local adults and children from the nursery school. At the nursery in Nishiokoppe Village they grow vegetables in a field, and one of the crops they raised this year was soybeans. "Miso is made from soybeans, isn’t it?" "What else is made from soybeans?" While reading a picture book, they connected the story to their own experiences and thought about soybeans and miso. The first task was to crush the soybeans that had been cooked in advance. They put the soybeans into a mincer, and when they turned the handle, the beans became a paste. Both the person holding the mincer base and the person turning the handle needed a lot of strength. The little makers worked hard, crushing the beans with steady force. They mixed salt and koji with the soybeans, formed miso balls, and tossed them into a barrel. The beans that had gleamed and shone gradually smoothed out over about an hour and a half. Miso takes more than six months from making to being ready to eat. As the gentle, mellow scent of soybeans filled the air, we thought we would have to wait until next year… but then— One of the group brought miso they had made last year, so we all enjoyed miso soup together. For me, miso had become something I just bought. This showed me that making it myself is an option too. The miso we made this year will sleep soundly until next year. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #miso making #miso #handmade #nursery school #soybeans #field #mokuiiku (wood learning) #miso soup