We would like to introduce our recommended agricultural experience. This tour lets you discover the appeal of our signature products: beans and fresh vegetables. You will visit a farm that independently cultivates a variety of beans, including rare types. While walking through fields normally closed to the public, you will hear about the careful methods used to grow beans and take part in everyday farm work. You will also create an original spice blend that pairs well with beans, and prepare onigiri, an essential part of Japanese food culture, for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit a vegetable farm and experience crops from a farmer’s perspective. In the evening, you will assemble hamburgers using a range of vegetables and compare the flavors of fried potatoes made from different potato varieties, a signature local product. Enjoy the distinctive tastes of each potato. For more details, please visit the URL below. We would like to introduce our recommended agricultural experience. This tour allows you to learn about the appeal of our representative products, “beans” and “fresh vegetables.” You will visit a farm that grows various beans, including rare varieties, on its own. While strolling through fields you normally cannot enter, you will hear stories about the careful cultivation of beans and try the day-to-day fieldwork the farmers do. You will make an original spice mix that pairs with beans and, for lunch, make onigiri, a staple of Japanese food culture. In the afternoon, you will visit a vegetable farm and engage with crops from the farmer’s viewpoint. In the evening, you will make hamburgers combining various vegetables and taste-test fried potatoes made from different potato varieties, a representative product of the region. Enjoy the differences in potato flavor. For details, please see the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/tokachi-beans-and-vegetable-farms-gastronomy-tour/...

Here are some recommended eco-friendly tours. This is a two-day, one-night trip where you can experience organic farming that is gentle on the environment and your body. You will visit wine producers and farmers who practise organic farming, and see their farms where they grow their produce with care and attention, relying on the power of nature without using any chemical fertilisers or pesticides. You will enjoy tasting different organic wines and lunch and dinner made with plenty of vegetables, and experience the difference in flavour. Accommodation is in ‘glamping,’ a unique outdoor experience in Tokachi. The next day, you will create eco-friendly upcycled products using discarded vegetable peels and participate in traditional Japanese paper-making. This organic experience offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the environment and health. We aim for participants to connect with producers they wouldn't normally meet, learn about the care and thought behind the ingredients, and savour the distinctive flavours of these foods. Through this experience, we hope participants will gain new insights and values, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. Those interested may apply via the URL below. We introduce a selection of eco-friendly tours. This is a one-night, two-day trip where you can experience organic cultivation that is gentle on both the environment and the body. You will visit wine and agricultural producers who practise organic farming, touring farms where they cultivate with dedication and care, relying on nature without any chemical fertilisers or pesticides. You will sample organic wines, enjoy lunch and dinner abundant in vegetables, and savour the difference in taste. Accommodation is glamping, a signature outdoor experience in Tokachi. The next day you will make eco-conscious upcycled products, using discarded vegetable peels, and take part in traditional Japanese papermaking. This organic experience provides a great chance to reconsider the environment and health. We hope participants meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about the passion behind the ingredients, and taste thoughtfully produced food. Through the experience, participants can gain new discoveries and values that lead to a healthier, richer life. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/tokachi-organic-farms-and-glamping-premium-tour/...

Here are some recommended agricultural experiences. Okamoto Farm in Nakasatsunai Village is committed to environmentally friendly, sustainable farming and to producing safe, reliable crops. On this tour, you will harvest vegetables with your own hands and use the produce to make Hokkaido’s local dish, jingisukan. You will also learn how to prepare vegetables deliciously, taught by the farmers themselves. For dessert, you can enjoy cream puffs made with sweet, high-sugar tomato berries. Through these agricultural experiences, we hope participants will meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about the thoughts behind the ingredients, savor the region’s flavors, and deepen their connections with producers. We also hope that through these experiences participants will discover new things and values and go on to lead healthier, richer lives. If you are interested, please apply at the following URL. We introduce these recommended farm experiences. Okamoto Farm in Nakasatsunai Village practices environmentally conscious, highly sustainable agriculture and grows safe, trustworthy produce. On the tour, you will harvest vegetables with your own hands and use the harvested vegetables to prepare the Hokkaido specialty jingisukan. The farmers will teach you their tips for enjoying vegetables at their best. For dessert, you can enjoy cream puffs made with tomato berries that are high in sugar and wonderfully sweet. We want these farm experiences to let you interact with producers you wouldn’t normally meet, to learn the care and thought behind the ingredients, to enjoy the region’s food, and to deepen your ties with producers. Through the experience, we hope you gain new discoveries and perspectives and live a healthier, more fulfilling life. If you are interested, apply from the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/okamoto-farm-harvesting-and-jingisukan-lunch/...

Here are some recommended experiences. Tokachi-Honbetsu Town has a large temperature difference between day and night and long hours of sunshine, making it ideal for growing high-quality beans. Why not try your hand at making tofu, an essential healthy food on Japanese tables, in Japan's leading bean-producing town? On this tour, you will join local farmers' wives in making tofu using traditional methods, and then make a salad using okara, the pulp left over from tofu production, ensuring that every part of the soybean is utilised. Tofu is a healthy food that also promotes beautiful skin. Through agricultural experiences, we want people to meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about the care and intentions behind the ingredients, and taste the flavours of the local cuisine. We also hope these experiences will lead to new discoveries and values, helping people enjoy a healthier and richer diet. If you are interested, please apply at the following URL. Tokachi-Honbetsu is a town where the wide temperature swings and long hours of sunlight allow cultivation of high-quality beans. In Japan’s top bean-producing town, why not try making tofu, a healthy staple of Japanese dining? On this tour, you will work alongside local farmers’ wives to try time-honoured tofu-making methods, then prepare a salad using okara, the pressed soybean pulp left from making tofu, so that every part of the soybean is used without waste. Tofu supports health and also contributes to beautiful skin. These farming experiences let visitors connect with producers they normally could not meet, learn the intentions behind the ingredients, and taste the region’s food. Through the experience, we hope participants discover new insights and values that lead to a healthier, more fulfilling diet. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/tofu-making-and-bean-rice-cooking-in-honbetsu/...

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Bakkansai returns to Otofuke, the town that leads Japan in wheat production, bringing another celebration of the new harvest 😊 This is Otofuke’s wheat harvest festival, where you can enjoy the year’s freshly harvested wheat “earlier, tastier, and more joyfully” than anywhere else. The festival takes place across three spots along the town road known as the Otofuke Melody Line, running from Otofuke-Obihiro IC to Tokachigawa Onsen!! 📍Michi-no-Eki Otofuke Natsuzora no Furusato 📍Miura Farm 📍Tokachigawa Onsen Garden Spa Local eateries and famous restaurants traveling from Osaka, a culinary hub, will offer one-day-only menus using freshly harvested wheat! Families can also enjoy plenty of activities, including a balloon ride that offers panoramic views of a giant wheat art installation 🎵 A stamp rally that visits all three venues will also take place!! Collect stamps for a chance to win prizes on a first-come, first-served or lottery basis 😍 ※Please note that prizes are limited and may run out. Finish your day by relaxing in the mall hot spring at the Michi-no-Eki Garden Spa and soak in the soothing waters 😊 Bakkansai is an event where you can experience Otofuke’s deliciousness, fun, and warm hospitality through wheat 🎵 Bring your family and friends and come join the fun 🤗 Date and Time: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 10:00–15:00 Venues: Michi-no-Eki Otofuke Natsuzora no Furusato Miura Farm Michi-no-Eki Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen https://tokachibare.jp/event/xo_event-22310/...

Otofuke is a perfect 🌄 match for sunset The sky is wide, the fields are continuous, and it is 🍃 a very attractive town It is also recommended 🚗 to stop by while driving leisurely

Tokachigawa Onsen district has welcomed its fifth winery in the area, Tokachigaoka Winery, which opened on April 18th. Each grape cluster is tended carefully over time, grown organically while daily efforts keep pests under control. Basked in sunlight, the grapes develop high sugar levels and a perfect balance of acidity. Inside the shop, paid tastings of Otopuke Roman are available (with cheese snacks), so be sure to give them a try.😊 We also sell cheeses that pair well with wine, Aizawa Winery’s Sacherella and Ryunosuke, Memuro Winery’s Yorokobu, Tokachi Wine’s Jewel of Tokachi, and Tokachi Makiba no Ie Winery’s Yusui. Please stop by when you visit Tokachigawa Onsen.🤗 ● Access: about 20 minutes by car from Obihiro Station About 30 minutes by bus from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal (get off at Michi-no-Eki Garden Spa and walk about 5 minutes) ● Inquiries: Tokachigaoka Winery TEL: 0155-67-1981

Potato field 🥔 in Otofuke Potato flowers were 🌼 blooming Potato flowers have different colors depending on the variety, such as light purple, pink, and white~! This scenery is also unique to ✨ Otofuke

This photo was taken from the Ferris Car when I went to Huis Ten Bosch. I took the place where the illuminations started just as the sun began to set. The contrast between the red color of the tower and the blue of the river is Beautiful.

Introduction to a One-Day Experience Tour 😄 —See Tokachi’s signature industry, crop farming, with your own eyes!— A 1‑DAY tour in Kamishihoro and Memuro that will leave you amazed by the taste of fresh vegetables The vast Tokachi Plain stretches wide. More than 150 years have passed since pioneers cleared virgin forest with the strength of people and horses to start crop farming, and the area has become one of Japan’s leading agricultural regions. Tokachi’s delicious vegetables, enjoyed across Japan and around the world, are consistently high quality and full of flavor. Join this 1‑DAY tour to visit real production sites that are normally closed to the public, experience farm life as if you were part of the family, and discover the secrets behind the flavor. Tour Schedule 9:00 Gather at JR Obihiro Station 10:00 Sekiguchi Farm — Visit the bean fields, try farm work, and taste beans Meet the actual beans in the fields and get hands‑on with farm work. After working up a sweat, relax beside the fields. 11:40 Craft Kitchen — Spice blending experience and bean dish lunch Try blending spices that pair with Tokachi vegetables. 14:45 Shin-Arashiyama Sky Park Observation Deck Take in panoramic views of Tokachi’s farms, an area said to have a food self‑sufficiency rate of over 1000%, and feel the region’s vastness. 15:20 Takano Farm — Field walk and seasonal vegetable harvesting experience Explore the fields from a farmer’s perspective, touch the crops, and discover the charms only farmers know. 17:00 Original burger dinner in a popcorn field Create your own burger using Tokachi wheat buns, a Memuro beef patty, and an assortment of Tokachi vegetables. 19:30 Disperse at JR Obihiro Station Operating period: June to early August Time: 9:00–19:30 (about 10 hours 30 minutes) Participant capacity: 2–8 people Price: Per person For double occupancy Adult 159,500 JPY For groups of 3 or more Adult 115,500 JPY, Elementary school student 20,000 JPY per child *With English interpretation, the prices are as follows.* Per person For double occupancy Adult 198,000 JPY For groups of 3 or more Adult 137,500 JPY, Elementary school student 20,000 JPY per child Please make a reservation at least seven days before your desired date of use. (We may not be able to accommodate your preferred date due to guide availability.) Would you like to peek behind the scenes of agriculture and food while hearing directly from producers? This is also a great opportunity to interact with producers up close. We hope that a day of hands‑on experience will bring new discoveries and perspectives, enriching your lifestyle. We’d be happy if your visit to Tokachi becomes a memorable page in your travel story. 😄 If you’re interested, please visit the following URL on our federation’s official website: "BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE — Journeys connecting you to Tokachi, the source of food" Contact Knau Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com Add a comment… https://tokachibare.jp/behindthegoodtaste/...

Nice to meet you. This is the Otoineppu Village Tourism Association. Our Otoineppu Village is the smallest village in Hokkaido, located in the northern part of Hokkaido. From now on, through this Account, I hope that many people will know the charm of Otoikofu, including the scenery of the Village, the Specialty products of the Village, the Information of the Events, and even the small events of daily life. Thank you very much.

Introducing a One-Day Experience Tour 😄 — Where Local Sake Is Made — A one-day tour from Obihiro to Urahoro to enjoy fine drinks and delicious food In Tokachi, a region rich in nature and known for its strong agriculture, producers use the bounty of the land to craft a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. This program takes you to the production sites of wine, sake, and craft beer to uncover the secrets behind their great flavors. The more you hear from passionate makers, the more their products taste remarkable. For dinner, we prepare special dishes paired with each drink! Savor them together with Tokachi’s local ingredients. Tour Schedule 9:00 Pickup from JR Obihiro Station, Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, or city hotels 10:00 Aizawa Farm Vineyard tour and wine tasting Visit Aizawa Farm, where grapes are grown naturally without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. 11:30 Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Heiun-gura Brewery tour and sake tasting Using the moderately hard spring water from the Satsunai River system, which originates in the Hidaka Mountains and is celebrated as one of Japan’s purest streams, this brewery makes sake that pairs well with Tokachi’s cuisine. 12:30 Rancho El Paso Lunch featuring pasture-raised “dorobuta” pork and local craft beer “Obihiro Beer” 14:45 RIKKA Barley field visit At RIKKA, a brewery established in 2025, join field work in a barley crop. 16:45 RIKKA Brewery tour and beer tasting Take time to taste beers nurtured by Tokachi’s fertile land. 18:00 Torino-me Shop Special dinner by culinary researcher Kanako Sasaki, paired with drinks Enjoy a special dinner designed to complement Tokachi’s wines, sake, and beers. 21:00 Drop-off at JR Obihiro Station, Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, or city hotels — Tour ends Operating period: Year-round Time: 9:00–21:00 (approx. 12 hours) Group size: 3–8 people Price: Per person: JPY 132,000 ※With English interpretation the price is as follows: Per person: JPY 154,000 ■Please make a reservation at least seven days before your desired date. ■Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date due to guide availability or other circumstances. Would you like to peek behind the scenes of beverage production, agriculture, and food while meeting the producers? We hope that through this one-day experience you will discover new insights and values that enrich your lifestyle. We would be delighted if this Tokachi experience becomes one memorable page in your travel story 😄 If you are interested, please visit the federation’s official website page “BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE — Journeys Connecting to Tokachi, the Source of Food” on our official site (access the federation’s official site from the profile link tree). Contact Knaue Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com https://tokachibare.jp/behindthegoodtaste/...

Introducing an experiential tour you can enjoy in Tokachi, Hokkaido 😄 Harvest experience on the fields of the Tokachi Plain At Okamoto Farm in Nakasatsunai Village, taste freshly harvested vegetables with a Jingisukan lunch Located in the southwestern part of the Tokachi Plain in Nakasatsunai Village, Okamoto Farm works to reduce environmental impact while supplying safer, more reliable produce that consumers want. After harvesting potatoes and onions by hand, you’ll take a special ride on a harvesting machine for an added harvest experience. The vegetables you harvest are washed immediately and enjoyed alongside Jingisukan. Okamoto Farm also processes and sells the vegetables it grows. After the meal, enjoy a tomato berry cream puff at the shop where products are sold and tour the processing facility to learn what makes it so delicious. Tour Schedule 10:00 Meet at Okamoto Farm 10:05 Farm introduction, harvest experience in the field, and harvesting machine ride Experience harvesting potatoes and onions with your own hands in the field, then ride a harvesting machine not usually open to visitors and observe harvesting across the vast fields. 11:30 Jingisukan lunch made with the harvested vegetables and ingredients from Nakasatsunai 13:00 Cream puff tasting at Okamoto Farm’s shop and processing facility tour Taste a tomato berry cream puff and tour the processing facility while hearing about tomato production and processing. 13:30 Tour ends Operating period: mid-August to September Time: 10:00–13:30 (about 3 hours 30 minutes) Group size: 2–12 people Price: Per person ・For 2 people: Adult ¥24,200 ・For 3 or more: Adult ¥17,600 *With English interpretation, prices are as follows. Per person ・For 2 people: Adult ¥13,200 ・For 3 or more: Adult ¥9,900 ■Please make a reservation at least seven days before your desired date. ■Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date due to guide availability or other circumstances. Okamoto Farm uses local ingredients to create more natural, pure products that you can enjoy with confidence. The tomato berry they grow is a cute mini tomato known for its sweetness and high sugar content! This is a great opportunity to meet farmers and learn about the behind-the-scenes of agriculture and food production!! We hope that through this experience you will discover new insights and values that enrich your lifestyle. We would be delighted if a Tokachi experience could become a memorable page in your travel story 😄 If you’re interested, please visit the following URL on our association’s official website: "BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE – A Journey Connecting to the Source of Food in Tokachi" Contact KUNAU Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com https://tokachibare.jp/behindthegoodtaste/...

Introducing hands-on tours you can enjoy in Tokachi, Hokkaido 😄 — Ride across vast pastureland — Tokachi Toyokoro: Leisurely Bicycle Journey Toyokoro, located in the eastern Tokachi plain, is a nature-rich town with mountains, rivers, and the sea. You’ll join guided cycling tours led by local cyclists who will take you along scenic routes for nature and history exploration, plus forest roads (gravel roads) that offer magnificent views. For lunch, deepen your connection with producers through a soba-making experience using ingredients from local farms. The basic course covers 40 km. Electric-assist rental bikes are available, so beginners can enjoy the ride. You can also switch to an 80 km course or tailor the route to your available time. Tour Schedule 9:00 Meet at Kokoro Terrace 9:05 Bike preparation and course briefing For rental bikes, you can choose from five cross bikes or three mountain bikes with electric assist. 9:30 Cycling tour across pastures and forest roads Once ready, we leave Toyokoro town and head out to a spectacular road lined with wide pastureland. 12:30 Soba-making experience using local ingredients After cycling, take part in a soba-making session and then taste the noodles you made. 14:00 Tour ends Operating season: July–October Time: 9:00–14:00 (about 5 hours) Group size: 2–10 people Price: 26,400 yen per adult ■ Please make your reservation at least 14 days before your planned date. ■ Due to guide availability and other factors, we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date. Thank you for your understanding. Why not take in the expansive scenery while cycling and enjoy a refreshing break from everyday life? After the exercise, the soba-making experience offers a great chance to meet locals and learn more about the town’s charm, agriculture, and food culture. The soba you make yourself will taste even more special. We hope the Tokachi experience will become a memorable page in your travel diary 😄 If you’re interested, please visit the federation’s official website page “BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE — A Journey Connecting to Tokachi’s Food Origins” via the URL below. Contact KUNAU Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com https://tokachibare.jp/behindthegoodtaste/...

Introducing an experiential tour you can take in Tokachi, Hokkaido😄 —The Nation’s Top Bean Town— Tofu-making Experience with Local Farm Wives in Honbetsu Town Located in Tokachi’s upland and mid-mountain area, Honbetsu Town enjoys large temperature swings and long hours of sunshine, making it Japan’s premier town for growing high-quality beans. To share the charm of these proud beans, the group called the Bean-Proud Farm Wives Association formed, bringing together farm wives who process and sell their harvest as tofu, deep-fried tofu, miso, and more. You will tour the production sites of soybeans, an indispensable ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and try traditional tofu-making alongside the farm wives. You will also try making farmer-style meals using okara (soy pulp) and local vegetables, guided by the mothers’ time-honored recipes. [Tour Schedule] 10:00 Meet at Ms. Yamada’s home, Bean-Proud Farm Wives Association 10:05 Visit the soybean field See the soybeans grown in a home garden plot and learn about growing tasty beans from Ms. Yamada’s many years of experience. 10:30 Move to Senbiricho Community Center for tofu-making experience Try the tofu-making methods the farm wives have passed down through generations. 12:00 Cooking experience: bean rice and okara salad Make miso soup with freshly made tofu and use the leftover okara to make an okara salad. 12:30 Lunch Enjoy lunch featuring bean rice made generously with Honbetsu beans. 13:30 Tour ends Operating period: July–October Time: 10:00–13:30 (about 3 hours 30 minutes) Group size: 3–12 people Price: Per person Adult JPY 8,800 *If English interpretation is requested, the fees are as follows. Per person Adult JPY 16,500 ■ Please make a reservation at least 14 days before your preferred date. ■ Due to guide availability and other reasons, we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date. Thank you for your understanding. This is a great opportunity to learn about agriculture and food production firsthand through traditional tofu-making with farm wives in a region known for excellent beans!! We hope this experience will spark new discoveries and values, enriching your lifestyle. We would be delighted if you could add a Tokachi experience to the pages of your travel memories😄 If you are interested, please visit the federation’s official website page "BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE — Journeys Connecting to Tokachi, the Source of Food"! Contact Kuna Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com

Introducing hands-on tours you can enjoy in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region 😄 ~Enjoyed on a wooden deck at the farm~ Savor Matsuhashi Beef BBQ at Matsuhashi Farm in Sarabetsu Village Matsuhashi Farm has run livestock operations in Sarabetsu Village for over 90 years. The farm manages every stage from breeding and fattening to sales, and also grows wheat and soybeans. Yasuhiro Matsuhashi, the fourth-generation owner, is rethinking Tokachi agriculture, shifting from yield- and income-focused farming to sustainable, self-sufficient practices. His current theme is stockpiling and seed preservation so the next generation will not go hungry. The cattle raised by Mr. Matsuhashi are called Matsuhashi Beef. They focus on preserving the beef’s natural lean flavor with minimal marbling. This plan lets you taste that proud beef on a BBQ terrace built on the farm grounds. From the wooden deck you can see vast fields. Eating locally raised beef amid a panorama that seems to blend into the fields makes the flavor especially memorable. Tour Schedule 11:30 Gather at Matsuhashi Farm 11:35 Farm introduction and walk / Introduction to Matsuhashi Beef Learn from Mr. Matsuhashi about the care he takes in raising Matsuhashi Beef. 12:00 BBQ with Tokachi fields spread before you Enjoy the lean flavor of Matsuhashi Beef and the taste of locally grown vegetables on a perfect BBQ deck with sweeping field views. 13:30 Commemorative photos in the fields Put on shoe covers and take commemorative photos against the spectacular backdrop. 14:00 Tour ends Operating season: June–August Time: 11:30–14:00 (about 2 hours 30 minutes) Participants: 4–100 people Price: ◎ Vegetable Course / A BBQ course focused on freshly harvested vegetables with less meat (mid-July–end of August) ・Without English interpretation: 9,900 yen per person ・With English interpretation: 14,300 yen per person ◎ Matsuhashi Beef Standard Course / Standard plan to enjoy Matsuhashi Beef ・Without English interpretation: 13,200 yen per person ・With English interpretation: 17,600 yen per person ◎ Matsuhashi Beef Premium Course / A luxury plan featuring rare cuts of Matsuhashi Beef ・Without English interpretation: 20,900 yen per person ・With English interpretation: 25,300 yen per person ※As an option, an all-you-can-drink plan is available for 2,000 yen (tax included) for each course. Please make a reservation at least seven days before your desired date of use. (We may not be able to accommodate your requested date due to guide availability or other reasons.) Visitors who have been living abroad within seven days before entering Japan cannot enter hygiene-controlled areas for quarantine reasons, so please understand. Depending on the World Organization for the Animal Health’s reported global outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, participation in the tour may be refused. Please be aware of this in advance. This experience offers a great opportunity to meet producers, learn about Matsuhashi Beef and Mr. Matsuhashi’s philosophy, and discover the behind-the-scenes of livestock farming and food production!! We hope this Tokachi experience will become a memorable page in your travel story 😄 If you are interested, please visit the relevant page on our official website, "BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE – A Journey Connecting to Tokachi, the Source of Food." Contact Knau Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com

Introducing experience tours you can take in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region 😄 ~A journey to glimpse the second life of pharmaceutical scientists~ An experiential tour titled “Visiting the medicinal herb fields of Rikubetsu, Japan’s coldest town”!! Rikubetsu is known as Japan’s coldest town. In a place where winter temperatures can drop below minus 20°C, a couple tends their own medicinal herb fields and develops products gentle on people’s everyday lives. The couple, Mr. Yu Hinata and Ms. Mikie Hinata, originally worked for a major pharmaceutical company in the Kansai region. Mr. Hinata also holds a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences. With abundant knowledge and experience, the Hinatas moved to Rikubetsu in 2017. Living in the remote, mountainous Rikubetsu area, they visit the herb fields every day and pursue cultivation methods suited to cold climates while developing products at the same time. This retreat program invites you into the Hinatas’ daily life in Rikubetsu to learn about life there, the herb fields, and medicinal herbs. You will touch herbs and plants and enjoy a relaxing program for the mind and body. After working in the fields, you will try blending an original herbal tea using the herbs the Hinatas cultivate. Beside the fields, sip your own herbal tea and enjoy herb-based sweets while sharing a quiet, peaceful time with the Hinatas. Tour Schedule 13:00 Gather at Jotoma Exchange Center and travel to the herb field In the fields surrounded by rich nature, about 20 kinds of medicinal herbs are cultivated. 13:15 Farm work and herb harvesting experience Surrounded by fragrant plants, you will harvest herbs and try weeding and other farm tasks. 14:00 Move to the seed-growing research facility 14:20 Original herbal tea blending experience Using dried herbs, you will blend your own original herbal tea. 14:50 Tea time with the herbal tea you made Finally, relax with the herbal tea you made and herb-based sweets made by the Hinatas. 15:30 Tour ends Operated: June to September Time: 13:00–15:30 (about 2 hours 30 minutes) Group size: 2–12 people Price: For 2 people: 13,200 yen per person For 3 or more people: 11,000 yen per person *With English interpretation, prices are as follows. For 2 people: 24,200 yen per person For 3 or more people: 18,700 yen per person ■Please make your reservation at least three days before your desired date. ■Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your requested date due to guide availability or other circumstances. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet producers through hands-on experiences and learn about their lives, medicinal herbs, and the behind-the-scenes of farming and food production!! Why not make a Tokachi experience part of a page in your travel memories? We would be delighted if you did 😄 If you are interested, please visit the official website of our federation and see “BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE – A journey connecting to Tokachi, the source of food.” Contact KUNAUPublishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email address: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com

【Making miso】 The other day, I witnessed the making of miso. There were people making miso for their own eating, and it was a small gathering of local Adult and children from the nursery school. At the nursery school in Nishiokoppe Village, vegetables are grown in the field. Some of the crops we grew this year were soybeans. "Miso is made from soybeans, isn't it?" "What else is made of soybeans?" Picture book while reading Combined with our own experience, we think about soybeans and miso. How to get started Crush the soybeans that have been boiled beforehand. Put the soybeans in the mincer When you turn the handle around, the beans become a paste. There are also those who hold down the foundation of the mincer Turning the steering wheel is also a very force-intensive task. The little makers crush the beans with great force and effort. Mix salt and glue, mix in soybeans Throw the miso dama you made into the barrel. The beans that were shiny and sparkling Over the course of about an hour and a half, it became smoother. From the time you make miso to the time you eat it It would take more than six months. In the gentle mellow aroma of soybeans Do you want to keep it until next year? Or so I thought. One of the students brought us the miso we had prepared last year, so we all had miso soup. For me, it was a matter of course to buy miso. It makes me realize that I have the option of "creating" by myself. For the miso prepared this year Let them get a good night's sleep until next year. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Miso making #Miso #Tezukuri #Nursery school #Soybean #Field #Tree education #Miso soup

Okinawa Winter Tradition "Kikumination" / In various parts of Okinawa, the chrysanthemum fields are illuminated from 11 p.m. ~ 3 p.m. every year from December ~ March. It is "electric chrysanthemum". Cultivation of chrysanthemums has become popular in conjunction with the New Year and the New Year, and the flowering time of chrysanthemums is adjusted by lighting at night. There are electric chrysanthemums on the mainland, but I hear that they are mainly House cultivation and cannot be seen from the outside. The warm Okinawan scenery and fantastic scenery will Unfolds! In Okinawa, it is called "Kikumination", which is a combination of chrysanthemums and illumination^^ Actually, I went to see it for the first time. (-_-;) The location is in the Obazura district of Itoman City. As you walk through the darkness, you will suddenly see a light. How many chrysanthemums are growing? It seems that the lighting time is different, and I was surprised when the light bulb in the next field suddenly turned on. ^^; When you come to Visiting the site, don't Squid into the field because it's private land...

【 Towns where you can meet red-crowned cranes, Taiki Town 】 In Taiki Town, there are many red-crowned cranes, a special natural monument of the country. The most common season is autumn, just around this time. You can often see them looking for food in the fields after the crops have been harvested. The location gives the impression that it is more common on the sea side than on the mountain side. Please look for it! By the way, the small bird in the middle of the first photo is not a red-crowned crane, but a crowned crane. It is also attractive that various kinds of creatures can be seen together in Taiki Town ✨

【Vegetable Harvesting Experience】 We enjoyed 😊 harvesting Sweet potatoes, Green peppers, eggplants, and peanuts In the vegetable harvesting experience, you can take a bag full of seasonal vegetables as much as you want! Reservations are preferred, but same-day reception is also possible! As of October 14, Sweet potatoes, burdock roots, radishes, komatsuna, etc. can be harvested. For details of the experience, please check the Toyooka Travel Time Home page!

[Digging potatoes in a neighboring town] I had a and and went to Takinoue Town to dig Sweet Potatoes! At an elementary school in Nishiokoppe Thereare a morning class day once a month from this academic year. Empty afternoon hours. I want to do something that excites children... and Pom members who planned it. With elementary school students and a little preschooler Take the village bus and depart for Takinoue Town. When we all get on the bus, it's like an excursion, and it already looks fun. When I arrived at the field and looked at the Sweet Potatoes Adult alike are surprised by its size! Each person can dig two plants and take them home Once you've decided where to dig, it's time to start digging potatoes. Trying to get the potatoes out of the soil Scenes of first-graders and sixth-graders stepping on the same posture. While using tools such as shovels where necessary In the blink of an eye, the bag I brought with me was empty. Potatoes that cannot be dug out by one person There was also a scene where it took four people to pull it. Thank you very much for the potato digging experience and the provision of sweet potatoes! It seems that bonfires will Events and Village in October. It is also a pleasure to eat sweet potatoes. #Nishiokoppe Village #Harvest Experience #Sweet Potato #Takinoue Town #Bus excursion #Potato digging #Pom #Handmade sweet potato kempi very popular

In Hokkaido, rape flowers are in full bloom from the middle of May. It's early summer in Honshu around this time! A farming tractor pulls a wagon with tourists in the rape fields that spread all over the hill, disappears once over the hill, and then returns to this side. The sheer size of this scale is what sells.

It is still snowing in April in Hokkaido. It's almost time to play in T_T the snow, which I love Play until ^^ the sun goes down

This is Mt. Yotei this morning. At this time of year, a little snow makeup and autumn leaves collaborate ^^

We helped harvest in the vineyard of Tokachigawa Onsen! This year, the temperature was warm, and the grapes grown in a lot of sun seemed to be very sweet ☺️.

It is the morning glow from Rusutsu Resort on an autumn morning, ^^ and the color changes ^^ every moment.

【Potato digging】 He says he raises it as a hobby. Potato field. Since the beginning of October About 7 people gathered on holidays I went to dig potatoes! First of all, it is on the soil After removing the grass With a potato digging fork, so as not to pierce the potatoes I'm going to dig it out. After digging out Give it to the sun a little dry the surface, Easily sort between large and small sizes I put it in a bag and loaded it onto a truck. Even after 2~3 days I still have muscle pain in my legs laughs In a while Good sweat!

[Giant pumpkin appears!? ] 】 From West Okoppe City Area Beyond the Seto Ushi Pass A giant pumpkin was growing. Some of them are It looks like it was eaten by a deer ... I would like to use it for Halloween decorations! The last photo is It is a mini pumpkin that I was given to share.

The first snowfall on Mt. Yotei! !️ I could ^^ see it from my house. The daughter who is in the Alpine Boys' Club is overjoyed ✨ It's snow shoveling season for adults... However, the first snowfall is ✨ exciting every year.