Shinshinotsu Village is about a 50-minute drive from Sapporo.
Shinshinotsu Village, with its tranquil rural scenery, is located in the heart of the Ishikari Plain.

This area of ​​Hokkaido has a large number of organic farmers and is known as the "Village of Organic Farming."

This time, we'll introduce you to Shinshinotsu Village.
We'll tell you about places where you can buy delicious vegetables grown under plenty of sunshine, as well as places where you can enjoy various activities.

1. Lake Shinotsu
2. Roadside Station "Shinshinotsu"
3. Shinshinotsu Direct Sales Market

Souvenir Edition
4. Jitsuyu Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Builder) "Flame Flower"
5. Otsuka Organic Farm "Organic Vegetable Soup"
6. Shinshinotsu Foods "Shinshinotsu Ginger Dressing"
7. New Shinotsu Rice Cider
Final thoughts

First, let me introduce you to Lake Shinotsu.

Lake Shinotsu is an oxbow lake located along the Ishikari River. Once part of the Ishikari River, Lake Shinotsu was created through construction work that straightened the river's meandering course.
This is one of the leisure spots in Shinshinotsu Village. Shinotsu Park, which stretches along the lakeshore, offers camping and boating activities during the summer.

Shinshinotsu Onsen Tappu no Yu offers a package that includes a complete set of camping equipment, dinner, breakfast, and hot spring bathing.
It's gaining popularity because you can enjoy camping without bringing any equipment.

Many people visit, including families with children.

Additionally, you can catch dace and crucian carp in Lake Shinotsu during the summer, and smelt in the winter.
In particular, ice fishing for smelt in winter can be easily enjoyed even on snowy days because there is a roof over the fishing area.

Eating freshly caught smelt as tempura is also delicious.
Spending time relaxing amidst the greenery of Shinshinotsu is an invaluable experience.

The second place I'd like to introduce is the roadside station "Shinshinotsu".

This facility also includes "Shinshinotsutappu no Yu," a natural hot spring with 100% free-flowing spring water.

Located next to Lake Shinotsu, you can refresh yourself with a soak in the hot springs after a day of fun. Private baths are also available, allowing you to spend quality time with your family.
Because it has a heat-retaining effect, your body will stay warm even after you've taken a bath in the hot springs.

Additionally, the restaurant "Mominoki" located within the Shinshinotsu Onsen Tappu no Yu offers dishes made with ingredients sourced from Shinshinotsu.
What I would especially recommend is the handmade soba noodles made with buckwheat flour from Shinshinotsu.

It's only available on weekends and in limited quantities, but I highly recommend you try it. The rich flavor of the soba noodles really fills your mouth.

In addition, there are shops selling locally produced goods, as well as shops where you can enjoy authentic gelato.

I also recommend "Lico Lico," a gelato shop that uses ingredients from Shinshinotsu.
It has a luxurious taste that allows you to fully appreciate the original flavor of the ingredients.

Everything was delicious, but you absolutely must try the homemade black soybean flour mochi gelato. Give it a try!

The third place I'd like to introduce is "Shinshinotsu Direct Sales Market".
It's located right next to the roadside station I mentioned earlier.

Farmers bring their harvested produce directly to the market, so there are plenty of fresh, just-picked vegetables on display.
You can buy safe and secure vegetables, flowers, and more.

Why not take home some vegetables grown in Shinshinotsu, bathed in plenty of sunshine, and enjoy them in a variety of ways?
Opening hours are scheduled from late April to early November, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed during the winter.

<Souvenirs>

First, let me introduce "Honoo no Hana" from Jitsuyu Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Tsukuriya).

Apparently, they were originally cabbage farmers, but after studying in Korea, the home of cabbage, and going through trial and error, they created "Flame Flower."
It's safe because it contains absolutely no synthetic preservatives, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, or antioxidants.

Furthermore, the ingredients used in the kimchi, such as napa cabbage and radish, are mainly sourced from Shinshinotsu Village.
We are committed to using only carefully selected, low-pesticide vegetables grown in Hokkaido and Honshu.

We offer a variety of products, including napa cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, seasonal cucumber kimchi, and fukujinzuke (pickled vegetables).
This kimchi is made with care and love, reflecting the maker's dedication.

This kimchi makes me want to eat a lot of rice.
Please consider buying this as a souvenir when you visit Shinshinotsu Village.

Next, we'd like to introduce Otsuka Organic Farm's "Energizing Organic Vegetable Soup."
At Otsuka Organic Farm in Shinshinotsu Village, they not only grow vegetables but also produce processed goods such as puddings.

Among the various products, the one I would recommend is "Organic Vegetable Energy Soup."
This product uses organic vegetables (JAS certified) grown on this farm and sun-dried shiitake mushrooms cultivated at a nearby farm.
No sugar, salt, or other seasonings are used.

I was surprised that just one sip allowed me to fully appreciate the natural flavor of the vegetables.
It's delicious on its own, but it's also great to use as a base for soups or as a broth for seasoned rice dishes.

This product is perfect as a gift for cooking enthusiasts and will make cooking even more enjoyable.

The third product I'd like to introduce is Shinshinotsu Foods' "Shinshinotsu Ginger Dressing."
This dressing uses plenty of ginger from Shinshinotsu. It's oil-free, making it gentle on your body.

Eating ginger improves blood circulation and has a warming effect on the body.
The bottle's cute shape makes it stylish even when left on the table. It can be used not only for salads, but also for dishes like chilled ramen and ginger pork.

Finally, let me introduce "New Shinotsu Rice Cider".

This cider is made using "Yumepirika" rice from Shinshinotsu Village.
Besides that, it only contains sugars, acidulants, and flavorings.

The packaging is adorable, featuring Shinshinotsu no Okome-chan, the PR character for Shinshinotsu Village.

You're probably wondering what rice cider is all about.
When I opened the lid, a gentle fragrance spread out. The color is transparent.

When you drink it, although it's carbonated, it melts softly in your mouth, and a subtle sweetness spreads throughout.
It has a clean aftertaste. Rice cider is quite unusual, so I think it would make a great souvenir.

Final thoughts

What did you think.
We introduced recommended spots such as Lake Shinotsu and the Shinshinotsu Direct Sales Market, as well as gourmet food unique to Shinshinotsu Village.

The produce grown in Shinshinotsu Village is so fresh and delicious that it feels like a real treat.
I think spending time while gazing at the tranquil scenery where the crops grow is a real luxury. Please come and visit Shinshinotsu Village at least once.

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