Friday, January 30, 2026
- 1 Packing sincerity into a box: Behind the scenes of shipping "Sunflower Rice," a gift in return for Hokuryu Town's hometown tax donation program
- 2 YouTube videos
- 3 Other photos
Packing sincerity into a box: Behind the scenes of shipping "Sunflower Rice," a gift in return for Hokuryu Town's hometown tax donation program
In recent hometown tax donations, demand for rice has increased more than ever before. In particular, as awareness of safe and secure food grows, Hokuryu Town's pride and joy, Sunflower Rice, continues to be chosen by many people for its high quality. It's winter in Hokuryu Town, covered in deep snow. In contrast to the quiet scenery outside, the workshop at Hokuryu Town Agricultural and Livestock Direct Sales Store "Minoricchi Hokuryu" is filled with excitement as people try to convey their gratitude to people all over the country.
Japan's No. 1 pride, "Sunflower Rice" to the whole country
When you enter the workshop, the first thing that catches your eye is the mountain of neatly stacked rice bags. Each pallet contains 324 5kg bags. Today, 840 shipments were made in one day. All of this is "Sunflower Rice," a product that Hokuryu Town is proud of. It is "reduced pesticide JAS certified rice," and is grown using more than 50% less synthetic chemical pesticides, making it truly "rice that saves lives."
The farmers of the Hokuryu Sunflower Rice Producers Association, winner of the Grand Prize in the Collective Organization category at the 46th Japan Agriculture Awards (2017), have lovingly nurtured the crop as if it were their own child. The crop has received the JAS production information disclosure agricultural product certification, and is fully traceable, showing who grew it and where. This peace of mind and safety is proof of the trust that Hokuryu Town has built with people all over the country.
Careful handiwork where tension and a sense of responsibility intersect
Shipping is carried out twice a week. On the day we visited, a team of three to four people were packing the rice. They were packing the rice delivered from the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu branch into cardboard boxes according to the order details.
However, this is not just a simple "job." Yumepirika, Nanatsuboshi, Oborozuki, Kitakuririn. The varieties vary, and the weights are divided into 5kg, 10kg, 15kg, and even 6 go. Each combination is carefully checked against the receipt, box by box.
"I'm definitely always thinking about how to get work done more efficiently. There are days when I think too much and can't sleep at night."
The words of the person in charge warmed my heart. It was with painful sincerity that he wanted to respond to "the feelings of each and every person who chose Hokuryu Town," rather than just sending out packages. His hand, pointing and checking, was imbued with a deep respect and sense of responsibility for the donors.
Along with the "treasures" of Hokuryu Town
It's not just rice. The "Rice Cake Set" boasts firmness and stickiness, pounded by farmers without the use of additives. "Sunflower oil" is made with the first pressing of the sun, rich in oleic acid and vitamin E. And the miraculously revived "Kurosengoku soybeans," packed with polyphenols. These treasures, nurtured by the earth, sun, and harmony of the people of Hokuryu Town, are carefully boxed and ready to be served on your dining table.
Hokuryu Town's thank-you gift: Sunflower rice [Furusato Choice]
Sunflower Rice [Hometown Choice]During breaks, we serve homemade bread made with love!
With gratitude and prayers
The warmth of the stove was even more than the warmth of the hearts of the people working there. Assembling the boxes, putting the rice in, and taping it all up... It felt like every single action was done with prayers in mind: "May the food be delicious" and "May the people be happy."
The producers and staff of Hokuryu Town have sent these gifts with love. We hope that they will reach you and nourish your body and mind.
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we hope that many people will be able to enjoy the rice, rice cakes, sunflower oil, and Kurosengoku soybeans that have been grown with love, passion, and heartfelt care by the producers of Hokuryu Town, as if they were their own children, and that this will bring smiles to everyone's faces and a calm heart.
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