The legendary Kurosengoku soybeans are a big hit at the Asahikawa Station Marche and in vending machines in Fukagawa! Hokuryu Town's challenge is hot

Friday, September 19, 2025

Kurosengoku, the rare soybean that Hokuryu Town is proud of, is attracting attention with a new venture. The Kurosengoku Business Cooperative promoted the appeal of the soybean at the Asahikawa Station Marche, held at JR Asahikawa Station from September 13th (Saturday) to September 15th (National Holiday). Meanwhile, frozen Kurosengoku natto is so popular that it keeps selling out at a vending machine installed across from the roadside station in Fukagawa City. This new sales strategy, born from the town's passion, is bringing smiles to many people's faces.

Hokuryu Town's Kurosengoku soybeans shine in a new challenge

Kurosengoku is a rare soybean that Hokuryu Town is proud of. The great power and story contained in each small grain is now captivating many people in a new location.

Face-to-face sales at JR Asahikawa Station and a unique vending machine in Fukagawa City.

The town's challenge, along with the smiles of its people, is leading to the future.

Participating in the vibrant Asahikawa Station Marche

JR Asahikawa Station is a busy place with many people coming and going.
The northern food festival venue, "Northern Blessings Asahikawa Food Marche," began as an event in 2010!

The event took place from Saturday, September 13th to national holiday, September 15th, and featured approximately 200 stores from Asahikawa City and other municipalities across northern Hokkaido, as well as Asahikawa's exchange cities.

Events such as the "Station Marche," "Art Marche," "Shopping Park Venue," "Children's Marche Exciting Exposition," and "Shichijo Midori-dori Performance Area" are being held simultaneously.

Among these is the Asahikawa Station Marche, a popular event that brings together delicious local foods and lovely handmade products.

This is where our Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association opened its store.

Asahikawa Shinkin Bank

This is the information page for the "Station Marche 2025" event. Asahikawa Shinkin Bank is looking back at its origins as a regional financial institution and working to build a community that is closely connected to people's lives.

Station Marche venue map
Station Marche venue map

Opening in the best location!

Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association Opening
[No. 25] Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association store opening
[No. 25] The best place!
[No. 25] The best place!

A place where producers' passion is directly conveyed

The store is lined with lovingly crafted products, including boiled and roasted Kurosengoku beans, as well as tea.
The association's staff carefully explain to each customer about the history, deliciousness, and nutritional value of Kurosengoku.
There was a passion to not just sell products, but to directly convey the warm feelings of the producers.

Popular Kurosengoku soybeans
Popular Kurosengoku soybeans
Kurosengoku Kinako & Baked Donuts "Himawari Ring"
Kurosengoku Kinako & Baked Donuts "Himawari Ring"
Kurosengoku dressing and sunflower oil!!
Kurosengoku dressing and sunflower oil!!

Kazuhiro Ushiro, Director of Development and Manufacturing

Kazuhiro Ushiro, Director of Development and Manufacturing
Kazuhiro Ushiro, Director of Development and Manufacturing

"We have a wide selection of Kurosengoku-related products available. Please be sure to try our delicious Himawaring, baked doughnuts made from rice flour!" says Ushiro enthusiastically.

Manufacturing Department, Yoshihiro Kasai, Chief

Manufacturing Department, Yoshihiro Kasai, Chief
Manufacturing Department, Yoshihiro Kasai, Chief

"I'm Yocchi, also known as Kawanishi Yoshihiro, the rising star of Kurosengoku! Nice to meet you!!!" says Kawanishi with a cheerful smile as he promotes himself.

A visit of encouragement from Chairman Takada Yukio!

Inside the booth, Takamori Okada of Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank helped promote Kurosengoku soybeans.

From the left: Chairman Takada Yukio visits to encourage the group! Support from Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank's Takamori Okada
From the left: Chairman Takada Yukio visits to encourage the group! Support from Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank's Takamori Okada

The Kurosengoku booth was a big hit with customers!

The Kurosengoku booth was a big hit with customers!
The Kurosengoku booth was a big hit with customers!
Thank you for your purchase!
Thank you for your purchase!

Art Marche

Outside the station, an outdoor tea ceremony was held, and at the event's art market booths, many creators set up stalls selling handmade accessories and other items. The venue was filled with a gentle, creative atmosphere, with a lineup of unique and moving works.

A tea party held outside the station
"Nodate/Tea Ceremony" held outside the station
Art Marche Accessories
Art Marche Accessories
Leather art works, etc.
Leather art works, etc.
Lots of cute creations!
Lots of cute creations!

We moved on to Fukagawa Roadside Station "Rice Land Fukagawa".

A hot topic! Fukagawa's frozen natto vending machine

Another thing that is attracting a lot of attention is a vending machine in Fukagawa City.
The location is the Fukagawa Wholesale Market Vending Machine Office, directly across from the roadside station Rice Land Fukagawa.
Among the rows of vending machines, one stands out.

Vending machine corner at the Fukagawa Wholesale Market Vending Machine Sales Office
Vending machine corner at the Fukagawa Wholesale Market Vending Machine Sales Office
Various frozen meat and fish products for sale
Various frozen meat and fish products for sale

The vending machine "Doreemon" sells meat, fish, and sweets!

The fish section has tuna sashimi, boiled hairy crab, sweet cod roe, tuna collar, yellowfin tuna, scallops, salmon roe in soy sauce, and more.

In the meat section, you can find chicken tataki with sauce, umami salted innards, Raijin gyoza, yakitori, and more.

Sweets include Kurosengoku Himawari Ringo and Mireika Strawberry Cream Catalana (with strawberry sauce).

Selling out fast! The legendary Kurosengoku natto

Amazingly, you can buy "Frozen Kurosengoku Natto" and "Hima Ring Baked Donuts" 24 hours a day. This unusual initiative has become so popular that even when they are restocked, they sell out immediately.

The convenience of being able to buy it anytime and the deliciousness of Kurosengoku natto itself have created many repeat customers.

This truly marks the beginning of a new era, where traditional flavors and modern technology are combined.

Superfood Kurosengoku Natto! It was sold out!
Superfood Kurosengoku Natto! It was sold out!
Kurosengoku's sunflower donuts "Hima Ring"!
Kurosengoku's sunflower donuts "Hima Ring"!

A new story spun by Kurosengoku in Hokuryu Town.
We will continue to keep an eye on this challenge.

Long lines for charcoal grilled yakitori and Tarikibongan!

There is always a long line at the extremely popular "Charcoal Grilled Yakitori/Tariki Hongan" booth next to the vending machine!

Charcoal grilled yakitori relying on others!
Charcoal grilled yakitori relying on others!

The rice ball shop "Kappougi" looks delicious!

Next door is Kappougi, a rice ball shop that sells rice balls made with Nanatsuboshi and Oborozuki rice grown in Fukagawa!

Onigiri shop "Kappogi"!
Onigiri shop "Kappogi"!

Kuro-chan, the nutritious and healthy Kurosengoku soybean, sets up stalls at various markets across Hokkaido, spreading his energy and running all over the prefecture!

With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, we offer "Kuro-chan of Kurosengoku Soybeans!", a superfood that brings bright smiles, energy and happiness to people all over the country.

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