Stylish from the outside! A complex facility combining four shops.

Biei Senka is located in the heart of Biei. Look for the square, glass-fronted building facing National Route 237.

One of them had a polka-dot pattern, which looked very stylish against the blue sky. I found myself engrossed in taking pictures even before entering the store.

But what about "Biei Senka"?

• Farm produce direct sales store "Senka Ichiba"
- "Senka Kobo," a shop selling sweets and other items made with Biei vegetables.
・Biei wheat bakery "Komugi Kobo"
- Restaurant ASPERGE, which was awarded one star in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido edition.

These are all integrated into a single complex. This time, I'd like to mainly introduce the fruit sorting market and the ASPERGE restaurant, which are easy to combine with a trip.

Take home freshly picked vegetables from the fruit sorting market.

When traveling, some people struggle to find souvenirs, but why not consider some vegetables from Biei?

At the "Senka Ichiba" (Sorting Market), a wide variety of locally grown vegetables are available throughout the seasons, and can be purchased at reasonable prices ranging from 100 to 500 yen.

All of these vegetables are freshly picked and grown in the vast soil of Hokkaido, bathed in plenty of sunshine. Especially during the peak season for summer vegetables, the colorful display in the store is a heartwarming sight.

The shop also sells processed goods unique to Biei, such as jams and alcoholic beverages. Next to the haskap jam was aronia jam. It looks very similar to blueberry jam, and apparently, it's made from fruit grown in Biei.

Looking at the product shelves like this is interesting because you can make some local discoveries.

Once you've selected your souvenirs, you can move on to preparing them for shipping. You'll need to separate the boxes based on whether or not they need refrigeration, so it's best to group them together if possible.

While I usually think of melons when I think of Hokkaido, this time I packed it with seasonal vegetables from Biei, such as potatoes and sweet corn. (And I even sneakily added some Aronia berries...) I'm sure my family was happy!

Also, members of Biei Senka ( Senka Club ; no membership fee or annual fee) can enjoy discounted shipping rates, so don't forget to register as a member before checkout.

Enjoy a full course meal at "Restaurant ASPERGE"

Among the Biei Senka restaurants, "ASPERGE" is a place where you can fully enjoy locally grown vegetables.

In fact, it's a famous restaurant that has been awarded one Michelin star in the Hokkaido edition of the Michelin Guide.

Both lunch and dinner offer a choice of three different courses. On this particular day, I visited in the evening and opted for the most reasonably priced course, which cost approximately 4000 yen including tax.

Pan con tomate
- A platter featuring 20 kinds of vegetables from Biei's farms.
Boiled broccoli and slow-roasted ripe tomatoes marinated overnight.
Grilled pork loin from Biei
・Crème Dungeon
Black bean chocolate

The lineup, featuring seasonal vegetables, is particularly eye-catching.

What surprised me the most was the "boiled broccoli," which is usually just a side dish but takes center stage.

Because they've just been boiled, the green color is even more vibrant, and the delightful combination of crunchy and tender textures is simply irresistible.

Furthermore, by pairing it with a broccoli sauce made from the same ingredients, the natural flavor of the vegetables is enhanced more directly.

And above all, the highlight of ASPERGE's course meal is this vibrant assortment of appetizers.

The way the ingredients are cut and arranged creates a sense of depth, making the dish look like a work of art. Two glossy sauces and black pepper add a nice accent!

I was amazed by the natural characteristics of the ingredients—sweetness, bitterness, sourness, astringency, and more—that I tasted with every bite, and I found myself eating it all in a frenzy.

In addition, they offer homemade bread made with locally grown potatoes, which is chewy and fluffy, and

The combination of mountain wasabi and potato creates a pleasant texture that melts in your mouth, making "Overwintered Potato Puree ~Foam Snow~" a delightful treat.

And then there's the "Grilled Biei Pork Loin," which boasts a concentrated aroma and rich flavor.

Using only ingredients sourced from Biei, the dishes, while simple in appearance, are incredibly flavorful. The fact that vegetables are the main focus, yet the overall satisfaction level is astonishing, seems to symbolize the richness of the Biei region.

Finally, I enjoyed the after-dinner treat of "Crème d'Ange," with its light sweetness and lingering tartness from the haskap berries, along with a cup of tea.

The joy of savoring the bounty of Biei to your heart's content as a gourmet meal. These once-in-a-lifetime culinary encounters leave vivid memories of your trip that will last forever.

Enjoy the bounty of the land at Biei Senka.

Biei boasts many charming landscapes, including its rolling hills. But why not take the opportunity to purchase and savor some of Biei's unique natural bounty?

"Biei Senka (Restaurant ASPERGE)," the flagship store of the Biei brand, is sure to enhance your travel experience many times over. Be sure to stop by when you visit Hokkaido.

美瑛選果

Address

2-6 Omachi, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido

HP

https://bieisenka.jp/

Remarks

• Fruit sorting market Telephone number: 0166-92-4400
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. No regular closing days.
Asperge Telephone number: 0166-92-5522
Closed on weekdays in November, and from December 2nd to the end of March.
Lunchtime 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Tea time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Dinner time: 17 PM - 19 PM
*Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays in November.
(Lunch 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM / Dinner 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)

Business hours

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