Spinning
In early December, I visited a home school in Engaru for the first time. When you put yourself in the calm flow of sunlight through the trees, I feel like I'm being released from the tensions of everyday life. In the chapel, there are todomatsu cut out from the forest on the site and ancient volcanic stones excavated from the ground. Is used. The chapel, which is more than 100 years old, is itself a part of nature and harmonizes with it. Local people can freely enter the home school. The ancestors who sought this land have continued to protect We are healed when we live naturally and come into contact with the things and thoughts we have cherished. I will also be a member of the next generation.
Responsibility / Yuko Endo
Photo courtesy of Hokkaido Family School
People in OKHOTSK
People who live in Okhotsk. Stories about their activities and thoughts.
Mitsuru Kiyosawa
all the way to white
About 4 km northwest of the town, when you stand at the main gate of the school, the dignified cold air of early winter wraps your whole body. The Hokkaido Family School was founded in 1914 (Taisho 3) as a branch school of the Tokyo Sugamo Family School (at that time) by Kosuke Tomeoka, a pioneer of social welfare in Japan and a practitioner of inspirational education....
Akira and Tokiko Tokumura
The forest is a place where various lives live
It was December 29th that I visited "Forest Children's Village" in Takinishi, Takinoue Town. Although there is little snow in Okhotsk this year, the village of "Kumaide no Sawa" was completely buried in the snow at the innermost part of Okhotsk, which is closer to Teshio and the mountains of heavy snow from Takinishi....
Shuhei Takahashi / Seiji Katakura / Katsushi Iwamoto / Takashi Kuwahara
Monbetsu is an international city for drift ice research ~ Four scientists who take over "Aota Ism" ~
In Monbetsu City, which advocates the international city of drift ice research, the Northern Region International Symposium "Okhotsk Sea and Drift Ice" has been held every February, where researchers from ...
This is the real Okhotsk
"HARU", which has been completely renewed in 2018 as a free paper to disseminate Okhotsk tourism, is celebrating its 5th year. We have taken up the appearance of people practicing a way of life rooted in the land of Okhotsk and conveyed the real thrill of this land, but can it be packaged as a travel product? With that in mind, Okhotsk Teroire, a general incorporated association, with the cooperation of tourism associations in various parts of Engaru, conducted the first monitor tour "'A Journey to Meet the Real Okhotsk' HARU Tour'Enjoy the Terror of Okhotsk in Early Winter'". We went on a route around Engaru and Takinoue towns on November 27th and 28th, 2009. Repels residents inside and outside the jurisdiction who are interested in local history and food culture.For this reason, a total of 23 people participated, including those involved in tourism in the northern part of Kamikawa. Immerse yourself in the space-time of the mountains and rivers of the dead field while touching the landscape, food, history, and culture created by the climate. We will tell you about the tour of the day.
On this trip, We visited Akito Ezura, who runs the "Ezura Farm" in Shiratakishiyubetsu, Engaru Town, which was mentioned in the first free paper, and woodworkers who moved from Osaka to Takinoue Town about 30 years ago. Masami Takeuchi, who is active in various fields such as exploring local history. The meeting place, Maruseppu Station, was covered with snow, and welcomed us in a perfect mood for our early winter trip.
Simple sweetness, Shirataki Potato make a difference when you try it
Arrived at Ezura farm in about 5 minutes from the Shirataki IC on the Asahikawa Monbetsu Expressway. "Shirataki Jaga(potato)", which grows in Shirataki at an altitude of around 400m, is said to become more sweet and starchy as it slowly matures due to the extreme temperature difference between day and night. We were shown the storehouse, which matures the harvested potatoes. The inside of the storehouse was moderately cool, but the room temperature seems to drop further as winter progresses. According to Mr. Ezura, the temperature is
Below 3 ° C, the potatoes become "hibernating" and germination is suppressed. Then, the potatoes start to store sweetness by themselves because they don't spend energy on growth. The taste of "Shirataki Jaga" is made in this way.
After that, we had the grown potatoes boiled and french fries. The taste changes 180 degrees depending on the variety. The "Danshaku" is thick, and the yellow flesh "Inca no mezame" has a soft texture. We could feel the strong sweetness of potatoes without sprinkling salt. The pizza that Ms. Ezura and the daughter of an elementary school student baked in a stone oven in the barn was also excellent.
The selling point of this tour is not just eating. When you leave the farm and arrive at Tengudaira, which spreads out in front of the Kitataisetsu Ski Area, the curator of the Town Buried Cultural Property Center, which is a visitor facility of the Shirataki Geopark, will teach you the secret of the deliciousness of Shirataki potatoes from a geological point of view. gave. Volcanic ash poured into the Shirataki area due to the pyroclastic flow generated by the eruption 1.3 million years ago. This led to the formation of well-drained soil suitable for growing potatoes. The soil produced by volcanic activity laid the foundation for industry, and upland farming continues to this day. Participants listened to the explanation in a convincing manner.
Overwhelmed by the piers of the forest railway that supported the prosperity of Takinoue Town
From Okushirataki to Ukishima on the Asahikawa Monbetsu Expressway, the piers of the Nigori River Forest Railway are everywhere on the way to the center of Takinoue Town. From here, Mr. Takeuchi guided me around the spots where I could see the piers. As the snow fell, We walked through the bamboo bush in Takinishi and saw a concrete pillar towering in the river. This is the pier. It has been more than 60 years since the line was discontinued in 1959, but the piers have not deteriorated and have maintained their original appearance. Mr. Takeuchi, who has been enthusiastically researching the formation of forest railways triggered by "Takinoue Local Studies" by the Town Tourism Association, said, "Compared to other towns, Takinoue Forest Railway has a short history. It was established and the strength was improved. "
On the second day, We followed in the footsteps of Mr. Takeuchi's life on Takinoue. Following the forest road of Yuhaku, which is located in the depths of the city of Nigori River, when We climbed a snowy hill, We saw the branch of the Shokotsu River and the Oshiranep River. A quiet space where you can only hear the sound of the wind without the hustle and bustle. We spent a time entrusting myself to nature while emptying my mind. By the way, it is said that this hill was the location of the original movie "Luminous Woman" by Haku Kohiyama, a novelist from Takinoue.
As a coffee break, We also visited Mr. Takeuchi's workshop and home along National Highway 273. There is also a porch where you can enjoy the sun and the warmth of the wood. Go up to someone else's house and have coffee. It's not possible if you think about it normally, but We feel comfortable somewhere and the time goes by slowly. There was a polite way of life of Mr. and Mrs. Takeuchi who sought the utopia of life in Takinoue.
We had lunch in a cafe,named "KAR-SUI", that is open only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This shop has been renovated and opened from a coffee shop in the center of town for a long time. There is a baby bed specially made by Mr. Takeuchi under the counter. The heart of Mr. Takeuchi's mother and child, who said, "I originally wanted to be a childcare worker," is oozing out everywhere. What's interesting is the place where the pub is connected to the kitchen. The bar with a retro Showa era that is different from "KAR-SUI" is quite cool.
A full-course meal of gourmet that makes the best use of the climate of the distant crest
In the Takinoue Hotel Keikoku, where we stayed, a special dinner was introduced, in which the chef put his skill on the ingredients that were nurtured by the climate of Enmon. The fresh cheese "Tsuki no Cheese" from Takinoue, which is made into the local cuisine "Cerver de Canu" in Lyon, France, goes well with smoked cherry salmon from Monbetsu. The sourness of the cheese enhances the fragrant and thick smoked flavor. The cream stew that uses plenty of Gouda cheese from Okoppe, milk from Takinoue, and vegetables from the Okhotsk jurisdiction is especially excellent. It had a rich but smooth taste, and was well received by the participants, saying, "Cooking made with genuine ingredients is delicious."
By the way, at the breakfast buffet in the Hotel Keikoku, you can enjoy a limited amount of egg-grained rice from "Takinoue Jidori," which is produced by Mayor Eiichi Nagaya. The yolks are rich, and eating them will give you a great start to your day.
Participants who came into contact with the industry, history, and people of Enmon during the two days commented, "It was a very meaningful tour because I learned a lot for the first time" and "It was helpful in creating a tourism program." .. The second monitor tour is scheduled to take place soon.
Okhotsk area information
* The contents may be changed or canceled due to the prevention of the spread of new coronavirus infection.
"Hokkaido Family School" and supporters' association full of family love and school knowledge
A family school is a child welfare facility that provides support for independence to children who need lifestyle guidance due to family or other environmental reasons. The understanding and support of many people supports and manages the work of the school.
Admission to the supporters' association and facility tour / year-round
address / 14 Tomeoka, Engaru-cho
Inquiries / Hokkaido Family School ☎0158-42-2546
Road Station "Engaru Forest Okhotsk"
Roadside station with the first ski resort in Hokkaido. Except for winter, there are plenty of hands-on activities such as "zip line". At the food court "ENGARU TERRACE", you can enjoy a menu that makes use of ingredients from Engaru Town such as "Shirataki Jaga".
Business hours / 9: 00-18: 00 (toilet is 24 hours)
Address: 150-1, Nogami, Engaru-cho
Inquiries / ☎0158-42-4536
The most thrilling in the Orient "OWL in the Zipline Forest"
Opened in August last year at the roadside station "Engaru Forest Okhotsk". The "zip line" uses the slope of the ski resort, and the slope is 25%, so you can experience the thrilling of the Orient. On a clear day, you can see the Sea of Okhotsk and Lake Saroma.
* Please check the website of "Ohotsuku in Engaru Forest" for business days.
Business hours / 10: 00-16: 00 (last reception 15:00)
Address: 150-1 Nogami, Engaru-cho
Roadside station Engaru Mori Okhotsk
usage fee / 3,500 yen (half price for Engaru townspeople)
Inquiries / ☎0158-42-4536
Look at the drift ice at Giza! Touch! learn! "Hokkaido Prefectural Okhotsk Ryuhyo Science Center GIZA"
-20 ℃ The real drift ice that you can see up close in the freezing air temperature experience room is impressive. In addition, the drift ice aquarium where sea of Okhotsk is soaked in ice and the experience of freezing soap bubbles are indispensable! Please experience the dome theater with a 360-degree screen and many Clione limacs.
Opening Hours / 9: 00-17: 00 Closed the day after holidays on Mondays (January 4th to March 31st, no closed days)
Address: 11 Motomonbetsu, Monbetsu City Admission / Admission + Theater 750 yen (High / Large) 250 yen), admission only 450 yen (high / large 150 yen), free for junior high school students and younger
Inquiries / ☎0158-23-5400
Okhotsk Information
From the editor
The cover of HARU4 is full of metaphors. The frozen sea, the harbor closed by drift ice, the light falling between the gray-blue clouds, and a bird heading up in the cold sky. As if to suppress all life activities Okhotsk in the middle of winter. But under that heavy and silent tranquility, certain power and life are alive for the time when it buds. The theme taken up by HARU4 is "Learning and teaching that Okhotsk should convey." Through the interviews, I thought that it was not "people" but "nature" called Okhotsk that guided the learning and teaching. The person is just the mediator. "Haru" is an Ainu word that means "what you get from nature." If so, I think that learning and teaching are both HARU.
HARU vol.04
Published March 2022
Issued by General Incorporated Association Okhotsk Terroir (Representative Director Hiroshi Daikoku)
Issued by Kazuo Furuya and Shinichi Chonan
Editing / Design / Printing / Hokkai Minyu Shimbun Co., Ltd.
Cover photo / Tetsuya Kurosawa (Okoppe Town) Interview / Photo / Yuko Endo, Kazuo Furuya, Shinichi Chonan, Nobuyuki Takizawa (Hokkaido Minyu Shimbun Co., Ltd.), Hiromu Takahashi (Hokkaido Minyu Shimbun Co., Ltd.)
Photo courtesy of Hokkaido Family School, Hokkai Minyu Shimbun Co., Ltd.
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