Kuro Sengoku Soybean and Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative Association (Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido)

Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative
	31-1, Hekisui, Hokuryu-cho, Amaryu-gun, Hokkaido 078-2503, Japan ▶  Tel:0164-34-2377　Fax:0164-34-2388  (Opened in October 2016! (Directly managed, Kuro Sengoku online store)

Thanks!Selected by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency as one of the "300 Small and Medium Enterprises" in 2021

Thanks!Selected for the 5th Discover Agriculture, Mountain, Fish and Village Treasures 2018

Organization      What are Kuro Sengoku Soybeans?     President's Story     producer     History     Related Articles     Links

name	Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative Association (Kuro Sengoku Kogyo Kyodo Kumiai)
Location	31-1 Hekisui, Hokuryu-cho, Amaryu-gun, Hokkaido, 078-2503, JapanMap)
Contact	Tel:0164-34-2377　Fax:0164-34-2388 mail：info★kurosengoku.or.jp(Please replace ★ with @.)
incorporation (of a business corporation)	March 5, 2007
officer	Yukio Takada (General Affairs) Executive Director: Masaaki Tsuji (Treasurer) Directors: Kazuo Kimura, Hiroki Matsumoto, Osamu Yoshida, Koki Takada Auditors: Katsuhiro Nagai, Toru Kawada (FY2020 and FY2021) - Staff: 4
production area	Hokuryu, Shibetsu, Iwamizawa, Shintotsukawa, Takikawa, Oiwake, Biei/ Kamifurano, Imagane (R3 year, 9 districts)
business	Joint processing, joint sales, and joint storage of agricultural products handled by cooperative members Surveys and research related to business (iii) Providing education and information for the purpose of improving management and technology or disseminating knowledge of the Partnership's business. Businesses related to the welfare of association members, etc.
facility	Soybean preparation facility and warehouse: Hekisui, Hokuryu-cho Rice milling plant and milling machine: Hekisui, Hokuryu-cho
Public Relations information transmission	interpoint (interword separation)Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative Net Shop

Number of Producers, Area, and Yield Trends

　
From left: Changes in the number of producers, changes in planted area

What are Kuro Sengoku Soybeans?     Organization     President's Story     producer     History     Related Articles     Links

Kuro Sengoku is a very small-grained soybean. The seed coat is shiny black, and the cotyledons (the seed coat is removed) are green.
It is more difficult to grow than regular soybeans because it has more leaves, requires more hours of sunlight, and is easily affected by weather conditions.
(Kuro-sengoku beans have a higher integrated temperature, which is the sum of the daily temperatures from the time the seed is planted to the time the fruit matures. (Kuro Sengoku is 2,700 degrees Celsius compared to 2,300 degrees Celsius for regular beans.)

Kuro-sengoku, a species native to Hokkaido, has been called "phantom kuro-sengoku" since its cultivation ceased in the 1970s (Showa 45).
In 2001 (Heisei 13), Mr. Jun Tanaka, an agricultural researcher from Mori-machi, Kayabe-gun, Hokkaido, found the original seeds of Kuro Sengoku, from which about 50 were carefully selected and 28 were successfully germinated.
After that, Kuro Sengoku went to Iwate Prefecture, where it was cultivated under the guidance of world-renowned bean researcher Joji Arihara (Director of Kanto Tokai General Research Department, Chuo Agricultural Research Institute, 2014), but in 2004, it returned to its hometown in Hokkaido.
In 2005, 24 households in Hokuryu Town, Takikawa City, and Otobe Town started growing Kuro Sengoku.
In 2007 (Heisei 19), Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative was established in Hokuryu Town.

The nutritional components of Kuro Sengoku are highly evaluated, and the product becomes a topic of conversation in the mass media and magazines.
New processed products are being developed one after another, such as "Maboroshi no Kuro Sengoku Florentine," a baked cake made in collaboration with Kinotoya, a western confectionery company; "Kuro Sengoku Kaname Sugar" sold at the Isetan Shinjuku store of Eitaro Sohonshop in Tokyo; and "Kuro Sengoku Cha" bottled tea sold in Nichirosan packets.
In 2013 (Heisei 25), Kuro Sengoku Hatsudo Natto was adopted as a subsidized project by Sapporo City to promote the revitalization of the 6th industry, and in 2014 (Heisei 26), Kuro Sengoku Hatsudo Natto was born through a partnership with a natto specialty company, Mamezo.

The fantastic Kuro Sengoku has now been revived as the "healthy ideal bean" and continues to push forward with further development.

President's Story     Organization     What are Kuro Sengoku Soybeans?     producer     History     Related Articles     Links

We spoke with President Yukio Takada, 71, about Kuro Sengoku soybeans (April 2014).

Kuro Sengoku is a native species of Hokkaido

Kurozengoku is originally a native species of Hokkaido, and was cultivated in the old days as fodder for military horses and as a green manure crop. A long time ago, Hokkaido had low temperatures, and some kurozengoku pods did not bear fruit.
However, since the pods of kurosekishi also contained a large amount of nutrients, the pods that did not bear fruit were also fed to horses as fodder.

The extremely small Kuro Sengoku soybeans are labor-intensive to grow and are easily affected by weather conditions because of their high integrated temperature (the temperature obtained by adding the average daily temperature from sowing to maturity) and because they require more hours of sunlight than regular soybeans. Because of the difficulty of cultivation, its cultivation had ceased since the 1970s.

Revival of the old-fashioned "kinako-mame" (soybean flour)

◎Autumn, 1994 (Heisei 6)
A major natto (fermented soybeans) manufacturer contacted the Kuro Sengoku Cooperative to inquire about the availability of extra-small grain black soybeans in Hokkaido.
Former Chairman Murai recalls "kinako-mame" (soybean flour) from his childhood when he hears "very small black beans.
Those little black beans that my grandmother used to roast in a frying pan and grind into soybean flour!
The savory smell of that soybean flour of my childhood comes back to me, and thus begins the journey of Kuro Sengoku's revival.

Successful germination of 28 grains of Kuro Sengoku by agricultural researcher Jun Tanaka

◎ 2001 (Heisei 13)
Mr. Jun Tanaka, an agricultural researcher from Morimachi who had been conducting research, discovered the extremely small black bean "Kuro Sengoku" among his collection of beans. He carefully selected 50 of the original "Kuro Sengoku" beans and succeeded in germinating 28 of them.
Because growing Kuro-Sengoku required long hours of sunlight, it was considered difficult to grow in the climate of Hokkaido at the time. Therefore, Mr. Tanaka turned his attention to Iwate Prefecture (Hanamaki and Kitakami cities), which was considered the southernmost area where cultivation was possible due to its long hours of sunlight and warm climate.

Start of Kuro Sengoku cultivation in Iwate Prefecture

◎ 2002 (Heisei 14)
Iwate Prefecture worked on the revived Kuro Sengoku.
At the time, Kuro Sengoku seeds were brought to JA Iwate Hanamaki, an agricultural cooperative in Hanamaki City, as a substitute for rice paddies due to the government's policy of reducing rice acreage. Without any cultivation know-how, the process was a trial-and-error process. Thanks to their hard work, Kuro-sengoku became a specialty of Iwate Prefecture, and its cultivation expanded.

Small-bed sowing cultivation method; yields failed to increase.

Kuro Sengoku cultivation in Iwate Prefecture is a small-bed sowing cultivation method because the land is not well drained. However, yields were not as high as expected.

Mr. Joji Arihara, Director of Kanto Tokai General Research Department, Central Agricultural Research Center, Japan

In Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, he invited a world-class bean researcher, Dr. Joji Arihara, leader of the Soybean 300A Research Center of the National Agriculture and Biotechnology Research Organization (NARO)*, to give guidance on Kuro Sengoku cultivation and increase yields. President Takata went to Iwate to observe growers and received guidance from Mr. Arihara there. (* 2014, Director of Kanto Tokai Research Department, Central Agricultural Research Center)

Kuro Sengoku's return to Hokkaido

◎ Summer 2004
Former Chairman Murai learned of the existence of Kuro Sengoku, which is grown and cultivated in Iwate Prefecture, and launched the project.
Kuro Sengoku is a native of Hokkaido. Born and raised in Hokkaido, I am a genuine native of Hokkaido. It is best to go back home and raise them in their hometown."
Kuro Sengoku is a wonderful native species of Hokkaido that has not been bred. We hope to revive the kinako (soybean flour) that was once produced in Hokkaido, and to help further develop Hokkaido."
The passion of former Chairman Murai began to move those around him toward the cultivation of Kuro Sengoku soybeans in Hokkaido.

Kuro Sengoku Cultivation in Motion

Gen Murai's enthusiasm convinced Iwate Prefecture to move farmers in Hokkaido, where the amount of fallow land is on the rise. Mayor Koichiro Terashima of Otobe Town in southern Hokkaido endorsed Gen Murai's passion with his "Town and Agricultural Revitalization Plan (Soybean Project).

◎ 2005 (Heisei 17)
Kuro Sengoku cultivation started in 24 households in Hokuryu Town, Takikawa City, and Otobe Town.
A lecture on Kuro Sengoku was held in Takikawa City, inviting Dr. Jun Tanaka as a lecturer. About 40 people, who sympathized with the thoughts of ex-President Murai, gathered and listened to the lecture with great enthusiasm.

Kuro Sengoku cultivation started under the guidance of Dr. Jun Tanaka. Surprises abound!

Under the guidance of Dr. Tanaka, the company began cultivating Kuro Sengoku.
Sowed and leaves appear. However, while other soybeans flowered and bore fruit, Kuro Sengoku did not even flower.
It was after the Bon Festival when the flowers finally began to bloom. The growers were perplexed because they had never seen soybeans this late in the season.
The leaves finally fall at the end of October and the harvest is ready.
After harvesting with a combine harvester, the next step was to remove the mud.
Renting a warehouse from an agricultural cooperative, he repeatedly poured the beans onto a conveyor belt and sorted the mud and beans by hand.
The manual labor was done by the farmer's mothers. The mind-numbing work continued endlessly.

First harvest and installation of sorting equipment

◎ 2005 (Heisei 17)
The cultivation area was 27 ha with 22 growers. The yield was just under 43 tons.
While they were relieved, they scrambled to find a sorting device (to remove foreign matter) for next year's production.
After one summer of negotiations with countless suppliers, we decided to install the equipment.

◎ 2006 (Heisei 18)
With incentives for shifting crops, the number of producers and yields also increased. 141 producers and 422 tons of yield in 2006.

Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative established.

◎ 2007 (Heisei 19)
In March, Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative was formed.
The office is established in Hekisui, Hokuryu-cho, and the ship sets sail.
126 producers in 2007,
Cultivated area: 291 ha, yield: 415 tons.

Kurozengoku at its peak

Begins to be featured in the media.
The former chairman and president of the board of directors personally sold products at a stall at the "Kita no Megumi Aishoku Fair" held in front of the Sapporo Hokkaido Prefectural Government Office.
The mothers I met there said, "Kuro Sengoku is a delicious and wonderful bean!" They were the most supportive people I had ever met. They were the best support I could have asked for.
The opening of the Love Food Fair will continue in 2014, seven years later.
The first product commercialized was Kuro Sengoku Natto.
In 2007 and 2008 (2007 and 2008), the company secured an annual yield of around 360 tons, and management is going well. The future looks bright.

Bankruptcy of intermediary companies

◎ 2009 (2009)
During the economic downturn, a middleman who had been the sole buyer of Kuro Sengoku soybeans went bankrupt.
The situation changed drastically. Kuro Sengoku, which had been harvested well, was in stock and in the warehouse.
With no prospect of receiving payment, the date of payment to the producer looms.

Kurozengoku buried in snow

To make matters worse, Kuro Sengoku was buried under snow this late fall.
With the harvest season just around the corner, snow fell on the Kuro-sengoku, turning the fields of Kuro-sengoku into a nightmare.
With over 100 million yen in inventory, they were unable to pay their growers, and moreover, their carefully nurtured Kuro Sengoku soybeans were emphatically buried under snow just before harvest.

You can't even choose to die.

◎December 2009
Chairman Takada bowed down to each and every one of the farmers.
No matter how much abuse I received, I could only bow my head around inevitably with no words of apology to return.
Chancellor Takada was so distraught with despair that he prepared to die if his own insurance money could pay for it.
However, the insurance amount does not cover the payment amount.
He could not even choose death.

The sincerity of the producers who saved the day and patiently watched over us

Producers are unable to finish the year without receiving payment for their Kuro Sengoku soybeans.
People who are in dire straits and leave without stopping.
However, there were producers who gritted their teeth and waited patiently, even though they were suffering.
In order to respond to the wishes of these people, Chancellor Takata risked his life and scrambled from east to west.
People who have been through hell and suffered through it together.
Kuro Sengoku exists today because of the people who continue to watch over and support us.

God of salvation is here

◎ April 2010 (Heisei 22)
Someone had been watching over this worst-case situation for four months. One phone call came in from Azuma Foods Corporation (Tochigi Prefecture).
They are willing to buy 200 tons of Kuro Sengoku directly from us.
With a grateful heart, he sold the remaining 300 tons all over Japan in a desperate effort to help the producers.
The furthest is Tokushima, Shikoku.

The sincerity of those who watched over and supported Kuro Sengoku

Even when I was at this rock bottom, there were people who worked with me to tell more people about the beauty of Kuro Sengoku and supported our sales. These are people I will never forget. The invaluable sincerity of the people who supported and cheered the producers of Kurosekishi enabled Kurosekishi to climb up from the bottom.

◎ March 2011 (2011)
Payments to producers are completed.
However, in FY2010, compared to the previous year, the number of producers decreased dramatically from 93 to 36, the cultivated area from 297 ha to 85 ha, and the yield from 359 tons to 139 tons.

◎ 2012 (2011)
The farmers' individual income compensation system is launched. Kuro Sengoku soybeans are removed as a major agricultural product.
Hokuryu Town decided to subsidize the planting of Kurokusengoku. The town started its own support for Kurokusengoku, a specialty of the town.

Kuro Sengoku in the spotlight

◎ 2011 (2010)
The world began to pay attention to the outstanding nutritional properties of Kuro Sengoku, and it was picked up by the food industry and mass media (STV "TV Shopping," "Ambitious! and various magazines).
Steady participation in the Aishoku Fair in Sapporo led to encounters with Dr. Sachiko Hoshizawa and many other people who supported the event.

◎ 2013 (2011)
Kuro Sengoku Natto was introduced in the nationwide TV program "Tokoro-san no Gakko de Gakko wa Taught Konnkoro! Kuro Sengoku Natto was introduced on the national TV program "Tokoro-san no Gakko de Gakko-no-Teaching-no Koko!

◎ 2017 (2017)
Held a Beiryu-cho product exhibition "Rice, Kuro Sengoku Soybeans, Sunflower Oil" at Yuh Mao Ya (Taichung City, Taiwan), a large high-end food supermarket selling mainly additive-free foods. The exhibition was a great success.

◎ 2018 (2018)
Mr. Takashi Sanbuichi, an advisor to the Kuro Sengoku Cooperative Association and professor emeritus at Takushoku University Hokkaido Junior College, breeds a new variety, "Ryukei No. 3".

◎ 2019 (2019, the 1st year of 2019)
Attend Discover Agricultural and Fishing Village (Mura) Treasures, 1st Summit 2019 (Tokyo Midtown)

Kuro Sengoku to be commercialized

◎ July 2011 (Heisei 23)
interpoint (interword separation)New sales of "Kuro Sengoku Cha" PET-bottled tea from Nichirosan PackThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

◎ September 2011 (2011)
Baked goods "Maboroshi no Kuro Sengoku/Florentin" (Maboroshi no Kuro Sengoku/Florentin), a collaboration with "Western confectionery Kinotoya", was newly released.

◎ November 2011 (Heisei 23)
interpoint (interword separation)Eitaro Sohon Sho in Tokyo to sell "Kuro Sengoku Kaname Sugar" at Isetan Shinjuku Store.The following is a list of the most common problems with the

◎ 2017 (2017)
interpoint (interword separation)Kuro Sengoku Witch "Miracle of the Earth" newly released (Ferme La Terre, Biei, Biei-cho)The following is a list of the most common problems with the

◎ 2018 (2018)
interpoint (interword separation)Kuro Sengoku Soybean Sunflower Oil Dressing - Renewed and RelaunchedThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

◎ 2019 (2019, the 1st year of 2019)
interpoint (interword separation)All-in-one cosmetics "Lumatan" launched by Manai Cosmetics Co.

2020 (2020)
interpoint (interword separation)World's First! Kuro Sengoku Soybean Meat" is now on sale! New menu development by restaurants in Hokuryu Town!

New processed products are being developed one after another.

winning (a prize)

◎ 2010 (Heisei 22)
interpoint (interword separation)The 6th HAL Agriculture Award "Challenge Award" (November 11, 2010)

◎ 2014 (2014)
interpoint (interword separation)2013 Kitashin "Hometown Promotion Fund/Kitashin Industrial Technology Encouragement Award".(March 26, 2014)

◎ 2016 (2016)
interpoint (interword separation)Yukio Takada, Chairman of the Board of Directors, was certified as a Local Specialty Meister by the Japan Specialty Agricultural Products Association.(Feb. 22, 2016)

◎ 2018 (2018)
interpoint (interword separation)Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative selected as one of the "5th Discover the Treasures of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Villages" by the Cabinet Secretariat and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.(Nov. 22, 2018)

◎ 2019 (2019, the 1st year of 2019)
interpoint (interword separation)Award Ceremony of "Hokkaido's Food to Inherit" Video Contest & Exchange Party (Sapporo, organized by Hokkaido Agricultural Administration Office)(Mar 18, 2019)
interpoint (interword separation)Discover Agricultural and Fishery (Village) Treasures, 1st Summit 2019 (Tokyo Midtown)(June 26, 2019)

2022 (2022)
interpoint (interword separation)Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative was selected in the demand acquisition category of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency's "300 Small and Medium Enterprises" for 2021 and awarded a letter of appreciation!(February 1, 2022)

 Kuro Sengoku Hatsudo Natto (sprouted fermented soybeans)

◎ 2014 (2013)

Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative's project is adopted as a subsidized project by Sapporo City to promote the revitalization of the 6th industry. Development of Kuro Sengoku germinated natto begins in collaboration with Mamezo Co.

◎ March 2014 (2014)
Kuro Sengoku Hatto Natto" was created in cooperation with Mamezo Co!

Kuro Sengoku Soybeans Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Cultivation, Protecting the Health of the Japanese People

◎ March 2015 (2015)
Kuro Sengoku soybeans were first cultivated in 2005, and will celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2015.
Kuro Sengoku Soybeans, a highly functional food, is a start for the next generation as a food produced in Hokkaido that protects the lives of Japanese people!

Kuro Sengoku Soybeans" store name

Mr. Tansetsu Ogino

Born in 1939 in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture. While working mainly in graphic design, he began to devote himself to calligraphy around 1970. His works range from purely textual works based on traditional calligraphy and sumi ink to abstract paintings. Among the many works he has created for product design and mass media are the titles for Suntory Whiskey's "Hibiki," the "Sakuya Kono Hanakan" (Flower Expo), and the Taiga Drama "Shin-Sen-Gumi! and the title of the TV drama "Shin-Sen-Gumi!

Kuro Sengoku Recipes by Hokuryu Town Residents

Kuro Sengoku Recipe

Kuro Sengoku recipe by the Hokuryu Town Portal Operations Manager (Photo: Vegetable Garden Pressed Sushi with Kuro Sengoku Soybean Meat)

▶ For more information on Kuro Sengoku Soybeans recipe, click here > >.

Kuro Sengoku Recipe

Kuro Sengoku recipe by Mihoko Nagai, wife of a Kuro Sengoku soybean producer (Photo: Mixed rice with Kuro Sengoku soybeans)

▶ For more information on Kuro Sengoku Soybeans recipe, click here > >.

We interviewed Dr. Takashi Sanbunichi, Professor Emeritus of Takushoku University Hokkaido Junior College, about the new Kuro Sengoku soybean variety "Ryukei 3" - Portal of Hokuryu Town (Hokkaido), the proudest sunflower village in Japan

On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, Dr. Takashi Sanbuichi, advisor to the Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative (Yukio Takada, President, Hokuryu Town),...

Producers and executives      Organization      What are Kuro Sengoku Soybeans?      President's Story      History      Related Articles      Links

▶ officer
Yukio Takada Chairman of the Board	Masaaki Tsuji Executive Director	Kazuo Kimura Director	Hiroki Matsumoto, Director	Osamu Yoshida Director
Koki Takada Director	Katsuhiro Nagai Auditor
▶ producer(To be published in due course)
Masaaki Tsuji (Hokuryu Town)	Kazuo Kimura (Hokuryu Town)	Hiroki Matsumoto (Hokuryu Town)	Hiroaki Ito (Hokuryu Town)	Koki Takada (Hokuryu Town)
Minoru Nagai (Hokuryu Town)	Kawakami Health (Hokuryu Town)	Ken Yoshida (Hokuryu Town)	Hideaki Tsuji (Hokuryu Town)	Osamu Yoshida (Hokuryu Town)
Mitsuhide Sakai (Biei Town)	Hiromitsu Makita (Yasuhira Town)	Hideki Okayama （Iwamizawa City)	Koki Kamatsuka （Urausu Town)	Tadashi Fujii (Shintotsukawa Town)
Mikio Tamaki （Takikawa, Japan)	Masanori Ezaki （Takikawa, Japan)	Mamoru Takehashi (Hokuryu Town)
▶ personnel

History      Organization      What are Kuro Sengoku Soybeans?      President's Story      producer      Related Articles      Links

Related Articles      Organization      What are Kuro Sengoku Soybeans?      President's Story      producer      History      Links

winning (a prize)(Click to enlarge on another screen)

Selected by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency as one of the "300 Small and Medium Enterprises" in 2021 (February 1, 2022)	Discover Agricultural and Fishing Village (Mura) Treasures, 1st Summit Exchange Meeting 2019 (Tokyo Midtown) (June 26, 2019)	Discover Agricultural and Fishery (Village) Treasures, 1st Summit 2019 (Tokyo Midtown) (June 26, 2019)	Award Ceremony of "Hokkaido's Food to Inherit" Video Contest & Exchange Party (Sapporo, organized by Hokkaido Agricultural Administration Office) (Mar 18, 2019)
Selected as the 5th Discover Agriculture, Mountain, Fish and Village Treasure (Nov. 22, 2018)	Yukio Takada, Chairman of the Board of Directors, certified as a Meister of Local Specialty Products (Feb. 22, 2016)	Received the "Hometown Promotion Fund/Industrial Technology Encouragement Award" in 2013 (March 31, 2014)	Received the 6th HAL Agriculture Award "Challenge Award (Dec. 2, 2010)

Cultivation and processing　Sales Shop　Kuro Sengoku Menu　setting up a food stall or booth (bazaar, festival)　Announcements, etc.　publicity　goods

▶ Cultivation and processing (7 items)
(Satake Corp. introduces "Versatile Belt Type Optical Sorter Beltuza". (November 20, 2020)	Kuro Sengoku New Seed "Ryu Series No. 3" Breeding Struggles (May 14, 2018)
Kuro Sengoku from Sowing to Harvest 2014 ＜Youtube＞ (Dec. 22, 2014)	Sowing of Kuro Sengoku soybeans begins! (May 16, 2012)	Kuro Sengoku from Sowing to Harvest 2010 ＜Youtube＞ (October 21, 2010)	Kuro Sengoku Soybeans nearing harvest at Yukio Takada Farm (October 11, 2010)	Sowing of Kuro Sengoku at Takada Farm (May 18, 2010)
▶ Stores for sale (3)
TOMIZ (TOMIZ, Tomizawa Shoten, Sapporo) Sapporo Stellar Place Store (October 27, 2020)	Appare Kuro Sengoku! Appare Kurozu-ya (Sapporo City), Rice and Bread (January 20, 2012)	Koki Takada's (Hokuryu-cho) naturally grown rice at AGT (Sapporo) (August 14, 2012)
Click here for an "original menu only available in Hokuryu Town" using Kuro Sengoku >> Roadside Station Sunflower Hokuryu, Restaurant Windmill (11:00-20:00, open year round)
▶ Kuro Sengoku Menu, Sunflower Park, Hokuryu Onsen (17):Some menus are currently closed.)
KUROSENGOKU Curry Bread" using "KUROSENGOKU Curry Roux with Vegetables" is newly released! (April 20, 2020)	Kuro Sengoku Nabeyaki Udon at Restaurant Windmill (Dec 10, 2019)
Sunflower Park Hotel's breakfast and dinner menus (April 15, 2014)	Tenryu Tendon, Bukkake Kuro Natto Udon, New Menu in 2014 (April 5, 2014)	Kuro Sengoku Udon, newly introduced this fall as Hokuryu Town's local udon! (October 22, 2013)	Black curry, sea urchin bowl, and yakisoba bread are new at Restaurant Windmill. (May 1, 2013)	New "Kuroryu Miso Ramen" at Restaurant Windmill! （October 10, 2012)
Summer Buffet, Vegetables for Health @ Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen 2012 (July 3, 2012)	(Information) Summer Buffet - Vegetables for Health (June 24, 2012)	Kuroryu Wasamusubi" (black dragon wasabi musubi), fragrant with the finest mountain wasabi from Hokuryu Town (March 15, 2012)	Only in December, limited to 15 servings a day for 500 yen, Kuro-chan Menchikatsu (black fried pork cutlet) is available! (December 15, 2011)	Kuro Sengoku Natto! Perfect with brown rice, good! (October 13, 2011)
Hamburger steak with Kuro Sengoku Tofu, plenty of salad, good (May 12, 2011)	Started selling Golden Week specialty, Kuro-chan series! (April 29, 2011)	Christmas buffet at Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen 2010 (December 24, 2010)	Kuro Sengoku Spaghetti & Tomato Spaghetti Newly Arrived! @Restaurant Windmill (November 12, 2010)	Kuro Sengoku Onigiri & Golden Week Onlyinterpoint (interword separation)Shopping Rally 2010(April 30, 2010)
▶ Kuro Sengoku Menu and Townspeople's Recipes (6)
New "Ramen Salad" using Ajidokoro Hachihachi's original "Kuro Sengoku and Sunflower Oil Dressing (July 19, 2018)
Kuro Sengoku Soybean Recipes by Hokuryu Town Mothers and Fathers (November 25, 2014)	Hokuryu Town won the excellence award in the 2012 "Producers' Favorite Food Cooking Contest! (January 21, 2013)	Mihoko Nagai's "Rice Flour Bread Trio with Kuro Sengoku" Cooking Class Held at "Kira☆Sora (February 2, 2012)	Mihoko Nagai won the Excellence Award in the 2011 "Producers' Favorite Food Cooking Contest! (January 16, 2012)	Birth of "moffle," a collaboration of Kuro Sengoku soybeans and Hakucho mochi (July 28, 2011)
▶ Store openings (30)
Kamisunagawa Seikatsu Marche at Machi no Eki Flat (Kamisunagawa Town) (January 26, 2022)	Ebisuya, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America (January 19, 2022)	Hokuryu-cho Sunflower Tourism and Products Fair 2021 (Chikaho) (November 8, 2021)	Seka Shokudo "Sekai to Nihon wo Tsunagu Food Business Meeting with Shinkin (November 5, 2021)	Donation of Kuro Sengoku Soybean Meat to Kita Sorachi Area School Meal Association (September 10, 2021)
Hokuryu-cho "Sunflower Tourism and Products Fair" at 2020 Chikaho (November 5, 2020)	Face-to-face sales of Kuro Sengoku soybeans at Sorachi Fair 2020 (Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza Sapporo) (October 19, 2020)	Kuro Sengoku Soybeans" is added to the lineup of Hokkaido Ouen Todok (Co-op Sapporo). (September 28, 2020)	Kuro Sengoku Don" is added to the lineup of Hokkaido Ouen Todok (Co-op Sapporo)! (June 25, 2020)	2019 Good Job Fair at Tokyo International Forum (Oct 15, 2019)
Sales Fair of Hokuryu Town Specialty Products @ Mitsui Outlet Park Kitahiroshima (July 1, 2019)	Discover Agricultural (Village) Treasures, 1st Summit Marche 2019 (Yurakucho Station Square) (Jun 26, 2019)	Sapporo Autumn Fest 2018 (Sapporo) All Hokuryu Town booth was a great success! (October 9, 2018)	Beiryu Town Product Exhibition "Rice, Kuro Sengoku Soybeans, Sunflower Oil" at Yu Mao Ya (Taichung, Taiwan) (Dec. 11, 2017)	Kuro Sengoku Sprouted Natto (Sprouted Natto) "What a Wonderful Kuro Sengoku Natto" Aishoku Fair appeared. (March 17, 2014)
Food Corner at the 36th Hokuryu Town Cultural Festival 2013 (November 6, 2013)	Sapporo Autumn Fest 2013 - Last day for Hokuryu Town booth (October 3, 2013)	Sapporo Autumn Fest 2013, Hokuryu Town Booth Day 2 (September 29, 2013)	Autumn Fest 2013, Day 1 - Kuro Sengoku, Black Dragon Miso Noodles, very popular! (September 27, 2013)	Black Dragon Miso Noodles and Plenty of Black Sengoku at Autumn Fest 2013 (September 18, 2013)
Kuro Sengoku Soybeans, Ekimarche (co-hosted by Eat Marche 2013, Asahikawa, Japan) (September 17, 2013)	(Notice) Participated in Kuro Sengoku Soybeans "Kita no Blessing Eat Marche 2013"! (September 3, 2013)	Participated in the Kuro Sengoku Soybean and Kita no Megumi Food Fair (Sapporo) for seven consecutive years! (May 27, 2013)	Kuroryu Miso Ramen" makes its first appearance in Yanshu Yokocho (Rumoi City)! (November 14, 2012)	(Notice) Kuroryu Miso Ramen appears at Yanshu Yokocho (Rumoi City)! (November 6, 2012)
(Notice) Held on November 3! Kuro Sengoku Soybean Harvest Festival 2012  (October 31, 2012)	Hokuryu Town to Appear at Sorachi Fair 2012 (Sapporo) Introducing "Kuro Sengoku Soybeans" and Other Products (October 31, 2012)	Hokuryu Town is making a big effort at the Sapporo Autumn Fest 2012! (October 4, 2012)	Ramen noodles with 2-year aged Kuro Sengoku Miso, very popular at Autumn Fest! (September 29, 2012)	Kuroryu Miso Ramen" makes its first appearance at Sapporo Autumn Fest 2012! (September 22, 2012)
（Kuro Sengoku Soybeans to appear at Ekimarche 2012 @ Asahikawa Station (September 13, 2012)	Kuro Sengoku Soybeans and Other Products on Display and for Sale at Sorachi Fair @ Sapporo Dosanko Plaza (November 2, 2011)	Kuro Sengoku Soybeans" will be on sale at Sorachi Fair @ JR Sapporo Station! (October 26, 2011)	Hokuryu-cho Specialty Products on Sale at Hikarigaoka Festival 2010 (Tokyo, Japan) (July 21, 2010)	Kuro Sengoku Soybeans on Sale at "Kita no Megumi Aishoku Fair 2010 (July 21, 2010)
▶ Presentations, etc. (11)
Diet Members' Group Hokuryu Town (Hokkaido) Local Roundtable Meeting on Revision of the Seeds and Seedlings Law (September 25, 2020)
Film "Whose Seeds are Seeds" Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative on location for interviews. (June 25, 2020)	2028 Workshop of Kita-Kuochi Land Improvement District Management Council (Hokuryu Town) "Kuro Sengoku Soybeans, the Source of Life" was lectured. (Nov. 5, 2019)	The 13th Ordinary General Meeting of Kurozengoku Business Cooperative Association in 2028 (Oct 29, 2018)	Kuro Sengoku Soybean Harvest Experience and Agricultural Cooperative Tourism "Noh-Kan Juku Bus Tour for Learning about Food and Agriculture" Held (Oct 29, 2018)	Teachers and students from Obihiro Agricultural High School in Hokkaido visit Mr. Yukio Takada, President of Kuro Sengoku Cooperative Association in Hokuryu Town. (Mar 24, 2016)
Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative's 10th Anniversary Celebration - Everyone Shared in the Joy! (Mar. 23, 2015)	The 19th Gathering of Rural Community Network 21 Hokkaido in Hokuryu Town (August 7, 2013)	(Announcement) The 19th Hokkaido Gathering of National Rural Community Network 21 (June 3, 2013)	1,500 bottles of Kuro Sengoku tea were sent to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. (March 24, 2011)	Kuro Sengoku from Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative was introduced in a lecture by Tetsuhide Tomita on food cultivation. (April 29, 2010)
▶ Publicity (media coverage) (15 items)
Soybean Meat Using "Kuro Sengoku" Released [NHK Hokkaido NEWS WEB]. (December 28, 2020)	Kuro Sengoku and Mame Gohan set was introduced @ HBC TV broadcast "Today's Dokkitto! (Aug 19, 2019)	Kuro Sengoku Soybeans appeared on the nationwide TV program "Chikyu-Iryo ga Sukakeru Sosho" (TV Tokyo affiliate). (Jan. 8, 2015)	Ichi-oshi! ＋Plus" (HTB) will feature "Hokuryu Town's Miraculous Revival of the Phantom Kuro Sengoku"! (November 1, 2013)	Oborozuki and Kuro Sengoku will appear on "Tokoro-san's School Doesn't Teach You That! and will appear on "Tokoro-san no Gakko ga Kyo ni Kajunai Koko no Koko! (October 5, 2013)
Interview with Kira☆Sora, a group of young female farmers, for the agricultural magazine "New Country (January 25, 2013)	Kuro Sengoku Soybeans Featured in Hokkaido Government's Public Relations Newspaper "Hokkaido (September 14, 2012)	Kuro Sengoku Dock "Gutchi's Today's Doki! (HBC)" filming! (August 13, 2012)	Kuro Sengoku appeared in "Ando Natsu" (Big Comic Original)! (March 26, 2012)	Ultimate Miso Ramen (Takatoshi Ranch) with Kuro Sengoku soybean miso! (January 17, 2012)
Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative (Hokuryu Town) was featured in the February 2012 issue of "Ie no Hikari" and other publications. (January 9, 2012)	Kuro Sengoku Soybean Packs appeared on Sapporo Television (STV)'s "Zokkun! Hokkaido Passion Market". (January 10, 2012)	Yukio Takada, President (Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative), appeared in "D! Ambitious (December 25, 2011)	Yukio Takada (Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative, Hokuryu Town) appeared in D! Ambitious! (October 30, 2011)	New specially cultivated rice, Oborozuki (from Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido) at Full Sky Blue Sky Restaurant (October 22, 2011)
▶ Products (16)
World's First! Kuro Sengoku Soybean Meat" is now on sale! New menu development by restaurants in Hokuryu Town! (December 7, 2020)
Kuro Sengoku Soybeans & San San Sunflower Oil & Dressing Gift Set (Dec. 5, 2019)	The "Hokkaido Vigor (Support) Project" has been launched. (Jun 10, 2019)	Kuro Sengoku Bean and Rice Set with Sprouted Brown Rice to be sold! (May 1, 2019)	Kuro Sengoku Soybean Sunflower Oil Dressing is relaunched! (July 14, 2018)	Kuro Sengoku Witch "Miracle of the Earth" newly released! @Ferme La Terre, Biei (Biei-cho) (May 29, 2017)
Black Curry" retort with plenty of Kuro Sengoku (May 6, 2014)	Kuro Sengoku Hatsudo Natto "What a magnificent Kuro Sengoku Natto" (Mamezou) (March 17, 2014)	New version of "Kuro Sengoku Soft" (2013) is now available! (June 5, 2013)	Kinako no Hana" supervised by Ms. Sachiko Hoshizawa and sold at the store! (April 9, 2013)	Kuroryu Miso Ramen" - sold only at Autumn Fest and very popular! (September 29, 2013)
Kuro Sengoku Kuro Soybean Curry" retort curry with Kuro Sengoku soybeans is newly released! (August 19, 2011)	Revived Black Bean and Kuro Sengoku Tea" using 100% Kuro Sengoku produced in Hokuryu-cho is newly released. (August 2, 2011)	Kurochandon" made from Kuro Sengoku soybeans, newly released without additives! (May 19, 2011)	Began selling canned drink "Kuro Sengoku Cha" (limited to Hokkaido). (March 26, 2011)	Okinawa Yakuzen Chura Miso" using "Kuro Sengoku Soybeans" goes on sale. (January 25, 2011)
Kuro Sengoku Soybeans (Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido) from Sowing to Harvest 2010Youtube (3'03″)

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◇ Photography and editing by Noboru Terauchi Interview and text by Ikuko Terauchi (Interviewed April 2014; Updated February 7, 2021)