Producers of rice cultivated with reduced chemical pesticides, cyclamen, and raw wood Shiitake mushrooms as “special products” certified by AsahiTown share their thoughts!

A monument built beside National Route 1. It is said that the rising sun symbolizes the development of agriculture, industry, and commerce.

While many local governments are busy taking measures to address population declines due to the declining birthrate and aging population, AsahiTown is enviable as the number of residents is increasing at a fast pace year after year. It's also a town.

Asahi Elementary School has a four-story circular school building that is rarely seen these days. In recent years, the number of children has increased, classrooms have been expanded, and the voices of children are constantly echoing.

This circular school building has been designated as a registered tangible cultural property by the country, and is widely loved by local residents as a symbol of the small but vibrant AsahiTown.

This "AsahiTown Special Product Certification Mark" is proof that the product has been recognized as a specialty product by the town.
In addition to the three items introduced this time, a total of seven items have been certified as specialty products, including four items: boiled bamboo shoots, Shiomi (Japanese sweets), Asahi blend (coffee beans), and Soleil Van White Plum (Western sweets). It has been.

The first place I visited was Rice Farm Agri Asahi.
This organization was established in 2015 by local farmers who wanted to produce rice that was safer and more environmentally friendly by reducing the use of chemical pesticides and recycling compost.

Takashi Yano is the representative of the group.
With the idea of ``delivering peace of mind and trust to the table'', we work hard every day to produce the ideal rice. In recognition of these efforts, we have received certification from the Mie Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Support Center, a third-party organization, as a ``safe food that is friendly to people and nature.''

Koshihikari and Milky Queen are recognized as AsahiTown 's specialty products.
In particular, Milky Queen, which is rarely cultivated nationwide, is characterized by its strong aroma and sweetness. Although the grains are small, they taste delicious even when cold, and are widely used in bento boxes and rice balls, and are said to be popular among the younger generation, who are increasingly away from rice.

``Koshihikari and Milky Queen both have the characteristic that if they grow too much, the rice plants tend to fall over.In order to get the right crop, we have to manage water and adjust fertilizers.That's what we need to be most careful about.'' Mr. Yano.
If you apply too much fertilizer, the yield will be higher, but the flavor will be lower and it will be more likely to lodge. It is said that it is difficult to maintain balance as it depends on the weather conditions.

With Katsuyuki Hayashi, a member of Agri Asahi.
``From now on, I will continue to work together with my four friends to pursue rice cultivation that minimizes the use of chemical pesticides.In addition to local production for local consumption, starting in 2018, we will be using the rice as a return gift for AsahiTown 's hometown tax. We have also received this designation.As a result, we are gradually becoming more well-known outside of the prefecture, so we would like to take this opportunity to further promote our products to consumers across the country.'' He gave it to me.

If you would like to purchase AsahiTown cho-certified specialty rice grown with reduced chemical pesticides (Koshihikari, Milky Queen), please contact Rice Farm Agri Asahi listed below or directly on the cell phone of the representative, Mr. Yano.

[Rice Farm Agri Asahi]

Address: 1092-3 Kaki, Asahi-cho, AsahiTown

TEL：059-377-2491

HP：090-2680-5087（携帯電話）

URL: https://agriasahi.base.ec/about/

Our next stop was Asahi Gardening, which has been cultivating cyclamen for over half a century since 1964.

This is a long-established store in AsahiTown that has won numerous awards at competitions in Mie Prefecture.

When you step inside the house, you will be overwhelmed by the colorful cyclamen in full bloom, including red, white, pink, and pastel!

``My father, who was originally a farmer, started cultivating rice because he wanted to do something other than grow rice,'' says Masaya Suzuki, the company's representative.
At first, they had no idea how to cultivate it, and it was difficult because it was a luxury product, but the turning point came in 1975 when Akira Fuse sang ``Cyclamen no Kahori'', which became a huge hit. This million-selling song made Cyclamen no Hana instantly popular.

All cyclamen seeds are self-grown. Furthermore, the base is an original blend of soil, which is made by mixing a large amount of high-quality leaf mold with the rich soil nurtured by nature at the foot of Mt. Suzuka and allowing it to mature.

It is because the soil is highly fertile and rich in nutrients that it is possible to enjoy large-flowered cyclamen for a long period of time.

“I think cyclamen is the most difficult flower to grow,” says Suzuki.
Other flowers take about six months to be shipped, but cyclamen requires 13 months. It's really difficult to manage, and it's difficult to maintain consistent quality.

He says he has experienced many failures, but that is what gives him the desire to "do better." Cyclamen is said to be a flower that has magical powers in a sense.

Cyclamen is so unique that it is said that you can tell who grew it just by looking at it.
Please pay attention not only to the flowers, but also to the thickness and hardness of the leaves. The key to longevity is that the leaves are strong and store water and nutrients.

"We want the people who buy it to enjoy it for as long as possible." The expression on Mr. Suzuki's face as he spoke was overflowing with his passion as a producer.

Cyclamen, a certified specialty of AsahiTown, can be purchased at the Obira, Tokiwa, Oyachi, Shimono, and hinaga stores of the farmers' market "Shikisai" operated by JA Miekita. However, as it is difficult to sell throughout the year, some products may not be available depending on the season.

[Asahi Gardening]

Address: 850-2 nao, Asahi-cho, AsahiTown gun

URL: http://www.wa.commufa.jp/~s-msy21/

*For inquiries, please contact us from our homepage.

The last place we visited was Mizutani Shiitake Farm, which produces log Shiitake mushrooms.
After walking for a while in the mountains, a field of shiitake mushrooms piled up with logs, commonly known as ``Hodaba,'' will spread out in front of you.
It is located on a slope at a high altitude, and the area is dimly lit with just a little sunlight filtering through the trees, and the only sound is the chirping of birds, creating a cool atmosphere.

More than 90% of the fresh shiitake mushrooms you often see in supermarkets are artificially cultivated shiitake mushrooms that can be harvested quickly. On the other hand, the log shiitake mushrooms at Mizutani Shiitake Garden are carefully grown over a long period of time in nature.

When you actually see it, the cap is firm and thick, and the color is glossy, and it looks like it's worth eating!

``We often hear that the flavor and texture of Shiitake mushrooms is different from Shiitake mushrooms,'' says Satoshi Mizutani, the company's representative.
Since they started growing shiitake mushrooms seven years ago, many customers who have tasted their products become repeat customers. Another important point is that it is a highly nutritious food that is rich in vitamin D and dietary fiber.

Mr. Mizutani does not grow in greenhouses, but instead grows in open fields. The logs we use are sawtooth oak and oak oak with dense annual rings from Tokushima Prefecture. The biggest problem is that the production volume is not constant. "There are times when we can ship a lot, but there are times when the humidity is low or it's cold and even if there are buds, they won't grow."

After all, it seems that the hardships that come with dealing with nature are constant.

"Is there a recommended way to eat it? Grill it and eat it with ginger soy sauce or salt...It's also good to stuff it with meat and grill it," Mizutani says. As long as they are dried rather than fresh, they can be obtained regardless of the season, so we hope you will enjoy the goodness of raw shiitake mushrooms.

In fact, dried shiitake mushrooms are said to be more nutritious than fresh ones!

[Mizutani Shiitake Garden]

Address: 1018-36 Ukinawa, AsahiTown, Mie-gun

TEL: 059--377-0054

URL: https://itp.ne.jp/info/244223144125180950/

Log shiitake mushrooms from Mizutani Shiitake Farm can also be purchased at the Super Center Okuwa Mie Asahi Inter Store. However, due to the limited quantity at the moment, they often sell out.

There are also plans to start selling other specialty products from time to time, so it's a good idea to stop by when you're in AsahiTown.

If you can't find it in stores, please contact each producer's contact information. If you are planning to visit AsahiTown, it might be a good idea to contact us in advance.

A number of unique products that convey the passion and warmth of the people who produce them. Keep an eye on this “AsahiTown Certified Specialty Product”!

*Some products are difficult to sell throughout the year, and some products are seasonal or limited in quantity, so we may not be able to prepare the products right away. Please note.

Inquiries regarding the entire AsahiTown specialty product initiative

[AsahiTown Town Hall Industrial Construction Division]

Address: 893 obuke, Asahi-cho, AsahiTown gun

TEL: 059--377-5658