Have any of you ever visited Kitahiroshima City?
Kitahiroshima City is located next to Sapporo City. Situated between Sapporo and Chitose, it takes approximately 16 minutes to Sapporo and 20 minutes to New Chitose Airport by rapid train.

Some of you may have visited Sapporo or Chitose, but have never toured Kitahiroshima City.
This time, we'll be sharing information about the attractive tourist spots and gourmet food of Kitahiroshima City. Let's get started!

Table of contents

1. National Historic Site: Former Shimamatsu Post Station
2. Hokuren Food and Agriculture Interaction Farm Kururu no Mori
3. Strawberry picking
4. Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima
5. Takeyama Kogen Onsen
6. Elfin Road

[Gourmet Edition]
7. Anjushin Confectionery
8. Uno Foods "Spicy Kyoto-style fried tofu"
9. Kita-Hiroshima Welfare Association: "Dr. Clark's Stone-Milled Whole Wheat Bread"
Final thoughts

First, let me introduce the "Former Shimamatsu Post Station, a National Historic Site."

This area was created in 1873 when Sapporo Hondori, Japan's first Western-style road for carriages and horses, was opened.
A post station was a facility equipped with a station building, horses and people, and other amenities to facilitate lodging and transportation.

This post station is also known as the place where Dr. Clark left behind the famous words, "Young people, be ambitious!" upon his return home.
Knowing the context in which Dr. Clark's famous quote originated gives his words a different kind of weight.

It is also famous as the birthplace of rice cultivation in cold climates.

It was a man named Hisazo Nakayama who took on the challenge of growing rice in the southern and northern parts of Hokkaido, an area where cultivation was previously considered impossible.
We have developed a cold-resistant rice variety called "Akage-shu" (Red Hair variety).
This is said to have been the catalyst for starting rice cultivation in Sorachi and Kamikawa.

The red-haired variety is said to be an ancestor of the "Yumepirika" rice variety.

The second place I'd like to introduce is "Hokuren Food and Agriculture Interaction Farm Kururu no Mori".
Located in the Omagari district of Kitahiroshima, this facility offers opportunities to experience farm work and food processing, as well as a direct sales store where you can buy fresh agricultural and livestock products from Hokkaido, as well as processed goods from various parts of the prefecture.

The direct sales facility carries products that are hard to find in supermarkets, so it's fun to browse.

There are also rural restaurants that promote the use of locally sourced ingredients.
You can enjoy simple and comforting dishes such as salads, tempura, and desserts.

Since it's a buffet style, you can eat as much of your favorite food as you like.
It's very popular because you can enjoy fresh ingredients from Hokkaido.

In addition, there is a cafe where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh ingredients from the direct sales market.
This facility offers a variety of agricultural experiences for both adults and children. Why not visit and experience the abundant blessings of Hokkaido's nature?

The third activity I'd like to introduce is "strawberry picking."
In Kitahiroshima City, efforts are being made to promote "strawberry tourist farms" where producers and customers can interact with each other.

At strawberry farms, you can enjoy fresh strawberries growing in the fields from mid-June to mid-July.
Some farms offer the opportunity to eat strawberries of varieties unique to Hokkaido.

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which is effective for whitening and improving skin condition.
While there's a limited time period for strawberry picking, I highly recommend visiting at least once to enjoy strawberries that have soaked up plenty of sunshine.

The fourth place I'd like to introduce is "Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima".
You'll find a variety of domestic and international fashion and sports brands, as well as select shops. It's a great place to buy high-quality items at outlet prices.

Additionally, there are restaurants and a food court, which is convenient when you get hungry after shopping or want to take a short break.
Many people drive from outside Kitahiroshima City to visit this outlet mall while they're out shopping.
If you enjoy shopping, you probably wouldn't get bored even if you spent the whole day there.
Because it's all-weather, you can shop with ease even on rainy days.

If you have some time before your flight, it's a good idea to buy some bargains at Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima before heading home.

The fifth place I'd like to introduce is "Takeyama Kogen Onsen".
One of the attractions is the authentic open-air rock bath, made with approximately 600 tons of high-quality stone from Hokkaido. It is located in a place rich in nature, where you can see Mount Tarumae and Mount Eniwa in the distance.

The spring water is an alkaline simple hot spring, and the water is coffee-colored.
It's also effective for neuralgia and poor circulation, so take your time soaking in the hot springs and let your body heal. It's said that your skin becomes smooth after soaking in the hot springs.

The sixth place I'd like to introduce is "Elfin Road".

Elfin Road is the nickname for the Kitahiroshima City section of the cycling route that connects Kitahiroshima City and Sapporo City.
With minimal elevation changes and surrounded by greenery, this spot is popular with visitors because it offers a pleasant and relaxing experience.

This section includes Kitahiroshima Recreation Forest, a place of relaxation for the citizens of Kitahiroshima, and a waterside plaza where you can enjoy forest bathing.
Additionally, there is a "bicycle station" at the halfway point.

Since there's a place to take a break, it might be a good idea to rest here if you're feeling a little tired.
If the weather is nice, a trip to Sapporo by bicycle, or even on foot, would be a great idea.

[Gourmet Edition]

First, let me introduce you to "Okashi no Anjushin".
This store has two locations in Kitahiroshima City.

Driven by the desire to provide everyone with safe and secure sweets, they offer delicious confections made with genuine care.

Anjushin originally started in Yubari City in 1968. In 1987, it expanded to Kitahiroshima and has become a beloved confectionery shop among local residents, known as a "Kitahiroshima specialty."
While their cakes and whole cakes are delicious, I would recommend their baked goods.

There are sweets with names related to Kitahiroshima, such as the busse pastry called "Elfin," the coffee-flavored dough of "Rek no Mori" which is not too sweet, and "Kaitaku Kyuzo Monaka" which is named after Kyuzo Nakayama, who succeeded in developing a red-haired breed that is resistant to cold climates.

They all have a gentle and delicious taste. If you come to Kitahiroshima, these are sweets you should definitely try.

Next up is Uno Foods' "Spicy Kyoto-style Fried Tofu."

There are many different types of fried tofu, but this particular type is striking for its slender, rectangular shape.
We use "Toyomasari" soybeans from Hokkaido. This is a safe and reliable fried tofu made with soybeans from Hokkaido.
It has also been certified as a "Northern Brand" by the Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The certification was apparently based on the evaluation of the product's enhanced value, achieved through its unique manufacturing process and the use of soybeans from Hokkaido.

I quickly cooked it and ate it with mayonnaise.
It's soft and easy to eat, and the spicy kick is addictive. It also makes a great snack to go with drinks.
This is a fried tofu dish that adults will especially enjoy.
I think it would be great to eat it with meat and vegetables during a barbecue.

This product can be purchased at Kururu no Mori and other stores. It's a must-try for anyone who loves fried tofu.

The third item I'd like to introduce is "Dr. Clark's Stone-Milled Whole Wheat Bread" from Kitahiroshima Welfare Association.

As I mentioned earlier, Kitahiroshima City is a place associated with Dr. Clark.
This bread is said to be a reproduction of the bread that Dr. Clark, the first headmaster of Sapporo Agricultural College, which was established in the early Meiji period, used to eat.

Just looking at it gave me the feeling that a gentle flavor would fill my mouth.
When you actually try it, it's simple and truly delicious. You can enjoy the rich flavor of the bread even without adding anything.

It's a wonderful opportunity to encounter the kind of bread that Dr. Clark, who encouraged his students to eat bread rather than rice or noodles, might have eaten himself.
This might make a good souvenir for students aiming to attend Hokkaido University.

Final thoughts

What did you think.
We've introduced some of Kitahiroshima's tourist attractions, including the nationally designated historical site, the former Shimamatsu Post Station, as well as some of the local cuisine you should try when you visit Kitahiroshima.

Kitahiroshima City is located within easy driving distance from central Sapporo. Please consider taking a trip to Kitahiroshima.
You're sure to make some new discoveries!

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