Kitami City is located on the eastern side of Hokkaido. Currently, Kitami City is famous as the city of Japan's top producer of onions, yakiniku (grilled meat), and curling, but in the past, it was the city of mint, boasting the world's largest mint production with a 70% share of the global market.

This time, we'll introduce a hands-on experience making rich cream using rare Japanese mint in Kitami City, where the historical mint industry still thrives.

Rare Japanese mint has a refreshing yet warming scent. The rich cream, made while enveloped in this fragrance, is perfect as a memento of your trip!

Table of contents
1. Kitami Peppermint Memorial Museum, which continues to convey the goodness of Kitami peppermint.
2. At the Peppermint Distillation Hall, you'll be amazed by the peppermint piled up to the ceiling!
3. Experience mint distillation and make a rich aroma cream.
4. Making aroma cream begins during distillation.
5. How to use the finished cream
6. Relax with a seasonal blend of herbal tea after the experience.
7. Summary

The Kitami Peppermint Memorial Museum was originally built as a research institute for the Hokuren Peppermint loading plant, which opened in 1934 (Showa 9).

Later, in 1986, it was converted into a memorial hall exhibiting the history of the mint industry and historical materials from that time. In 2007, its contributions to laying the foundation for Kitami City were recognized, and it was designated as a Japanese Modern Industrial Heritage site.

In addition, during the warmer months, there is a herb garden surrounding the memorial hall where you can see a variety of herbs. Herbs and mint harvested from the garden can be used to make herbal tea or in the distillery, allowing you to enjoy them throughout the year.

The Peppermint Distillation Museum was completed in 2002 to make the peppermint distillation process of that time more accessible. It is modeled after the original peppermint huts. Here, visitors can witness the distillation process, which takes place twice a day, up close.

Upon entering the building, the first thing that catches your eye is the towering piles of mint. This is where the mint harvested that year is stored. In addition, you can see the distillation equipment that was used at the time, and the building is designed to allow visitors to learn through sight, smell, and experience.

Also, during the winter season, you can see the menthol that appears in the steam distilled oil.

The needle-shaped crystals that appear when you tilt the oil bottles collected at the distillery are truly mystical. If you ask a staff member, they will show you.

At the Peppermint Distillation Center, you can experience making aroma cream using Japanese mint.

This program lasts approximately 90 minutes. It's an experiential program where you can enjoy the refreshing scent, learn about the history of mint, and create your own cream with your preferred blend.

Let's start the experience!

The staff will explain the program content and also teach you about Japanese mint. There are various types of mint, even though they are generally called mint, and you can learn about the Japanese mint that was produced in this region in an easy-to-understand way.

Main experience contents

The main activities offered are a distillation experience and aromatherapy cream making. The distillation experience is a unique opportunity that you won't find anywhere else. The additive-free, gentle cream is also fun to imagine who you'll give it to as a gift.

You can experience authentic oil extraction using a mini distiller.

In this hands-on program, you can experience extracting raw oil using a mini distiller. Though it's called "mini," it's quite professional. Because it's made of glass, you can easily observe how the distillation process works.

First, dried mint leaves are packed into a bottle. As the dried mint leaves are packed tightly, a faint minty scent is released. Then, when heated, steam gradually rises and distillation begins.

After a while, the distillation was a success! The extracted oil is lighter than water, so it separates. The final step, separating the distilled water from the extracted oil, is the most nerve-wracking part.

This is the freshly extracted mint oil. Of course, the distilled water also has a strong mint scent, so you can use it in a humidifier or as aromatherapy water. You can also take this home with you.

While the distillation is in progress, you can start making your aroma creams. You can make three types of aroma creams: one with your favorite Japanese mint, and the other two using your favorite essential oils. You can also combine several oils, so choose according to your needs.

The cream is made using only natural ingredients. The base is created by heating it. Watching it slowly melt and deciding on the final proportions is part of the fun. The choice is made based on the intended use.

Add your preferred essential oils to the can and mix them together. Adjust the scent to your liking, so work carefully.

Stir well and it's done! You've made three original aroma creams. A considerable amount is produced. This cream is made only with natural ingredients, so it is of course gentle. It can be used by people of all ages.

Here are just a few examples of how to use this aroma cream, which can be incredibly useful if you know how to use it.
Because it is gentle and non-irritating to the skin, it can be used in various places.

1. Apply to areas that are prone to dryness, such as hands and elbows.
2. Apply to the area under the nose and around the temples (Japanese mint cream)
3. Apply to your wrists or other areas to enjoy as a solid perfume.
4. Apply to lips and use as a lip balm (Japanese mint cream)

The experience concludes with a seasonal herbal tea. As a souvenir, in addition to the cream, you can take home the distilled oil, the distillery's original distilled oil, mint water, and mint cookies.

7. Summary

The distillation experience and aroma cream making at the Kitami Peppermint Distillation Center were both invaluable experiences filled with unique Kitami touches.

The aroma creams I create while savoring the slow passage of time are one-of-a-kind treasures.

I was also surprised to learn that mint, which is so common in our daily lives, was produced through incredibly hard work in the past.

When you visit Kitami, why not try out the program?

Peppermint distillation experience program (Reservations required; please book at least 3 days in advance of your desired date.)
Experience start time: 10:00 AM (Experiences may also be available from 1:00 PM.)
Time required: about 90 minutes
Payment method: Cash only on the day of payment
Maximum number of participants: 4 people (minimum 2 people required)
Experience fee (per person, tax included): General admission 3,000 yen
Elementary and junior high school students 2,000 yen

Kitami Peppermint Museum
Address: 1-7-28 Minaminakacho, Kitami City, Hokkaido
TEL / FAX: 0157-23-6200
Entrance fee: free
Opening hours: May 1st to October 31st, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
　November 1st to April 30th, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on: Every Monday, the day after national holidays, and during the New Year's holiday period (December 30th to January 6th).
Access: 10-minute walk from JR Kitami Station
Parking: Yes
Official site URL http://www.kitamihakka.jp/

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