A tour of Hokuryu and its surrounding areas and a social gathering with B&G Foundation Chairman Satoshi Sugawara and staff

September 28, 2020
Feature Articles, Hokuryu Town Board of Education
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Monday, September 28, 2020

Following the conclusion of the B&G Hokkaido Block Liaison Lecture Exchange Meeting, which was held the day after the FY2020 Hokkaido B&G Instructor Training Session, in the afternoon, together with B&G Foundation Chairman Sugawara Satoshi, General Affairs Division Chief Nakajima Hiroomi, and Marine Center and Club Division staff Kurihara Himeyuki, Mayor Sano Yutaka, Hokuryu Town Board of Education Superintendent Arima Kazushi, Division Chief Iguchi Junichi, staff member Shimizuno Riki, and community supporters Terauchi Noboru and Ikuko, toured Hokuryu Town and neighboring cities and towns.

Visit to Hokuryu Town and neighboring cities and towns

Mitani district, Hokuryu town

Starting at 2pm, we departed from Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen and travelled to Mashike town, passing through the Mitani area of Hokuryu town, where golden rice stalks sway, and Edaibetsu Tamu.

Inspection tour of the town and surrounding areas, driven by Section Chief Iguchi

On the train, we heard a lot about the state of this year's rice harvest, which is being cultivated with the pure waters of Edaibetsu Dam, as well as the relationship and current state of affairs between Mashike Town, Rumoi City, and Hokuryu Town.

Rice fields in Hokuryu Town before harvest

Mashike Town

Mashike Town was the hometown of Mayor Sano's mother, so he spoke nostalgically about what Mashike Town was like at the time and his memories of his parents.

Mashike Station

The first place we headed to in Mashike Town was Mashike Station.

I think back to the Rumoi Main Line, which was abolished in 2016.

Kunimare Sake Brewery

We visited Kunimare Sake Brewery, the northernmost sake brewery in Japan. Mayor Sano explained that Kunimare used sake rice from Hokuryu in the past.

Takakura Ken "Station" poster exhibition

Everyone was delighted as they compared different drinks in the tasting corner (though the driver had to hold back, of course!).

Rumoi City

Cape Golden

Afterwards, we moved to Rumoi City, where we visited Cape Ogon, a popular spot for watching the sunset.

With the Sea of Japan in the background!

Roadside Station Rumoi

We visited places such as Rumoi Roadside Station, which opened in July this year.

Hokuryu Town

They then took the Fukagawa-Rumoi Expressway to Hokuryu Town. Chairman Sugahara was surprised to see the name of the interchange, "Hokuryu Himawari Interchange," which uses the word sunflower in its name in addition to the local area name.

View Hill ~ Sunflower Village

View of the whole town from the observation hill.

Yawara Nursery School designed by Kengo Kuma

After touring the Sunflower Village and other attractions, the group toured the Yawara Nursery School, designed by Kengo Kuma, with Director Yasuhiro Sugiyama as a guide.

On Wednesday, December 25th, following the completion of construction of the "Hokuryu Town Yawara Nursery School" (December 20th), Mayor Yutaka Sano and others...

Construction work inspection for Hokuryu Town Yawara Nursery School, designed by Kengo Kuma, has been carried out and the nursery is scheduled to open in April 2020 - Hokuryu Town Portal (Hokkaido) - Japan's No. 1 Sunflower Village

The tour of the garden will be conducted by Director Yasuhiro Sugiyama.

Exchange between B&G and Hokuryu Town

After visiting Yawara Nursery School, we returned to Sunflower Park Kitaryu Onsen, took a one-hour break, and then had a social gathering.

"Menu" prepared by Chef Tomokazu Maeda

White plate

・Grilled sea bream with yuzu sauce ・Grilled snow crab ・Tachipon ・Shrimp and sea urchin terrine ・Tuna Nanbanzuke ・Cold chawanmushi ・A set of side dishes

sashimi

・Bluefin tuna ・Salmon ・Sea bream ・Scallop ・Botan shrimp ・Yellowtail

hotpot

・Sunflower pork shabu-shabu (with Kurosengoku dressing)

Western-style plates

・Homemade roast beef ・Hokuryu tomato seafood salad in farci style (with sunflower oil and basil sauce)

Fried food

・Shrimp and Hokuryu vegetable tempura and soy meat fried in sunflower oil

cooked rice

・Oborozuki from Hokuryu

Clear soup

・Kurosengoku udon (with Kurosengoku soybean flour)

Dessert

・Pumpkin pudding tempura with Kurosengoku flakes
・Sunflower melon (red flesh)

Thank you to Chef Tomokazu Maeda of Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen for the wonderful food!!!

The atmosphere was friendly and peaceful...

Chairman Sugahara visits B&G centers all over Japan, working closely with local people and thoroughly inspecting the region, carrying out important activities that contribute to the development of the region. He shared one unique story after another from his visits, causing waves of laughter...

We had a great time reminiscing about old times, smiling and having a great time deepening our friendship.

Full of smiles! Chairman Sugawara and Terauchi were colleagues while working at the Nippon Foundation. — Full of smiles! Chairman Sugahara and Terauchi were colleagues while working at The Nippon Foundation

At Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen...

The scenery of Hokuryu Town, overflowing with the power of golden rice ears

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we thank the B&G Foundation for its great work in contributing to the healthy development of young people who will lead the next generation through marine recreation that is alive in the blue seas and green land.

Other photos

・Photos (61 photos) of B&G Chairman Sugahara's inspection and exchange meeting in and around Hokuryu Town are here >>