I attended a preview of Takutetsu Kinokotan, which opens on Saturday, April 6. Takutetsu Kinokotan is a facility run by Hokkaido Takutetsu Bus that offers hands-on harvesting experiences for shiitake mushrooms grown on logs in Shintoku. This site once hosted Minami-Shintoku Station of the Hokkaido Takushoku Railway, the predecessor of Takutetsu Bus, which ran between Shintoku, Shikaoi and Kamishihoro until its closure in 1968 (Showa 43). The Takushoku Railway also carried timber and other goods, which reportedly led to the start of log-grown shiitake here. For that reason, the facility includes a corner exhibiting photos, equipment and materials from its railway days. Located one minute from National Route 38 and about 1.5 km from JR Shintoku Station, it’s a roughly five-minute ride if you use the free rental bicycles available in front of the station, so please stop by. Also, the cute stationmaster Kinokotan will be waiting to welcome you! #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku #Shintoku Tourism Association #Takutetsu Kinokotan #Stationmaster Kinokotan #harvest experience #log-grown shiitake #mushrooms #Hokkaido Takushoku Bus #Hokkaido Takushoku Railway