Destination

Title

Summary

Images

Bibai

Rice Planting

Sora travels to the Sorachi region during the busy planting season. When she arrives, she is greeted warmly by an elderly couple in Bibai who operate the last remaining walnut farm in Hokkaido. She also tries local foods and meets with those who are preserving the associated food culture."

Bibai and Mikasa

Homeland

Sora visits a farm in Bibai City where the asparagus they grow has thoroughly absorbed the taste of the land. There she learns of the unending challenges that face the young second owner of the farm when it comes to protecting the vast fields. Then, after riding a trolley along the oldest rail line in Hokkaido in the neighboring city of Mikasa, she tries a sweet which upon tasting, tells the story of its history.

Kuriyama

A taste that�@comes with living

Onwards to Kuriyama Town. At a sake brewery that was founded over 100 years ago, sake is produced using locally grown sake rice, carrying on the dream of its founder. Sora visits a farmer who operates the brewery by winter and grows rice in the fall. She sees the just planted seedlings swaying in the wind and tastes rice balls made from the previous year's harvest. Then, at a restaurant that feels a bit like a hideaway, she smacks her lips at the various dishes which generously present the bounty of nature using vegetables harvested deep in the mountains. She joins the owner in a trip to the mountains to collect ingredients and is left in wonderment by the large flowers of a magnolia tree.

Naganuma and Yuni

"A land where individuality is found"

A trip to Naganuma and Yuni in the south of the Sorachi region. Here she encounters a farmer's homemade �gDoburoku�h which lets the gentle taste of the land seep into every fiber of your being. Blending into the pastoral scenery, there is a gallery and cafe run by a lady from England who is a potter. Visiting an out of the way mountain cafe where you can enjoy homemade bread and German cooking, she meets the unique and charming people who have made their lifestyle amidst the bounty of nature.

Otaru

What comes on the sea breeze

Onwards to the port town of Otaru. Sora visits a stone storefront built in the Meiji era (1868-1912), Taisho era (1912-1926) buildings that speak to Otaru's history of prosperity, and a unique cafe operating out of a building that was a post office until around 30 years ago. Among the stores and houses which recall a time of prosperity, Sora feels the blessings of the sea breeze.

Otaru and Yoichi

A land close to both sea and mountain

To Otaru and Yoichi. In a building that shows the former prosperity of herring fishery, Sora enjoys an eating experience only possible in a fishing town. She also experiences glassblowing at a glassmaker's studio. At a winery atop a small hill, she enjoys wine made with grapes that have thoroughly absorbed the many blessings of the land. It is a trip where she can enjoy the bountiful blessings of both the sea and mountains.

Asahikawa and Oketo

The ring of life

To Asahikawa City and Oketo Town. Sora visits a flower garden known throughout the nation and reaffirms for herself the power of nature. She learns that the land and the people's lives form a great ring as they go around.

Kitami

That which connects the past and future

To Kitami. After visiting a unique aquarium in the mountains, Sora enjoys sweets made with locally grown white flower beans. She meets one of the producers of these white flower beans in a vast field. The gentle flavor of the sugared white flower beans she tastes there is exquisite. Sora joins some of the regulars to taste Kitami's famous grilled meat and has a lively conversation with local grilled meat-loving girls. Afterward, she goes to a bar and drinks a cocktail made with locally grown spearmint. She reaffirms that Kitami was once famous for its growth of �ghakka�h mint.

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Rumoi and Obira

Wheat growing along the Ororon Line

"Sora walks along the Ororon Line which is on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Following the Ororon line north from Rumoi, a field of wheat comes into view. Here they are growing �gRuru Rosso�h wheat for pasta. The reddish ears of the ripened wheat are beautiful. She visits a restaurant where she eats fresh �gRuru Rosso�h pasta, savoring the scent of the wheat and the firmness of the noodles. In the evening, she goes to a pickled vegetables store. In a lounge on the roof of that shop which has been built to suit the owner's tastes, She enjoys a cocktail and snacks on Japanese and Western-style pickles."

Mashike

An inherited landscape

On to Mashike Town, which once had a prosperous herring fishery. On the main street with its old stores and houses is the old house of a family of wealthy merchants, the Honmas, who dabbled in many businesses as the heads of the herring fishermen's union. Seeing the intricate designs of the houses, Sora imagines the glory days of the herring fishery. One business still carried on by the Honmas is Japan's northernmost brewery, "Kunimare". After tasting the sake brewed with rice grown in Mashike, she visits one of the farmers who grows that rice. She is impressed by the spirit of a farmer who has continually supplied sake rice to the local breweries.

Tokachi

A landscape filled with vitality

Onward to the Tokachi region, a treasure trove of food and agriculture. Participating in a tour which connects farmers with consumers, she sees up close how crops are grown. Frying and eating potatoes that she just dug out of the ground herself, she experiences the fruit of the land. Looking out from an observation platform, the beautiful pastoral scenery spreads as far as the eye can see. Moved by this scenery, Sora makes a sketch of it. Later, at a restaurant in Obihiro City, she samples food made with ingredients grown in Tokachi. In the garden of a bakery busy with local customers, she enjoys bread made with Tokachi wheat and thoroughly savors the land's bounty.

Ikeda

"The food culture that grew up in a castle town"

On to Ikeda Town, which is famous for its wine. The first place Sora enters is a famous old business across from the station with a history stretching back over 100 years, and there she encounters a nostalgic taste. At an observation platform atop a hill at Japan's largest sheep farm, she is moved by the expansive view visible in the evening. Additionally, at a restaurant that serves delicious dishes made with locally sourced meat, she savors a glass of Ikeda wine. Then, in an underground shop that feels a bit like a hideaway, she encounters uncommon whiskeys and brandies. Lastly, she works on her scrapbook at the Ikeda Wine Castle, a place which is the town's symbol.

Engaru

A town that retains the frontier spirit

To the mountain town of Engaru. In the Shirataki district, which is the part of town deepest in the mountains, Sora meets people who moved here from outside Hokkaido because they were entranced by Shirataki's environment. As she meets these people, Sora is especially taken with the bread cooked by a couple who run a bakery out of a closed school. In what is said to be the largest garden of cosmos flowers in the country, she looks at the cosmos flowers which are nearly in full bloom, while sketching the pleasant autumn scenery.

Lake Saroma

The beautiful lake of miracles

To Lake Saroma in fall. Sora enters a restaurant known to those in the know for cooking delicious meals using locally caught seafood. She orders a ray dish and is surprised by how good it tastes. Then, after being told by a fisherman about a dish featuring pink salmon with the taste of early autumn, she learns the beauty of its simple flavor and the depth of fish dishes.

Esashi

"The living food of an ancient port town"

Esashi is a port town that had a prosperous herring fishery during the Edo period (1603-1868). Sora walks down streets which still feature old row houses and feels a lingering remnant of that port town's glory. The gentle sweetness of a long running confectioner's signature dish, youkan, unexpectedly puts a smile on her face. Later, she tries a local Esashi delicacy, �gkeiran�h. Inside the dumplings served in a broth made with kelp stock, she is surprised to find red bean paste. This dish, in which the dumplings resemble chicken eggs, maintains a perfect balance between the saltiness of the soup stock and the sweetness of the red bean paste.

Hakodate

A town that tells of romance

To the port town of Hakodate. In a stylish cafe built in a historical building from the early Showa period, (1926-1989) Sora reflects on the past while sipping black tea and eating cake. Additionally, she takes part in a food-related event which the restaurant holds together with the local farmers. With seafood, vegetables, meat, wine and more, she is surprised by the richness of the local ingredients. Later, she visits a long running sukiyaki restaurant and a cafe operating out of a former rice merchant's shop among other places, experiencing romanticism and history.

Mukawa

Town�@frame to the grace of the river

"Sora travels from the estuary of the river pouring into the Pacific Ocean to the headwaters called �gMukawa�h. In Mukawa Town this season, �gShishamo�h has greeted the season. This fish will be back in the river from the sea to spawn. In fishing port, She listens to the story about the activities of fishermen to protect the river. Next, she visits the rice farmers. Rice caught in the basin of Mukawa, its quality is also recognized in foreign countries such as the United States. �@she feels rich blessing of the river and thoughts of the people for the river, so puts her feelings in the scrapbook."

Shimukappu

Go the headwaters of the rich river

"Sora has continued to journey toward the headwaters of �gMukawa�h�@. This time she visits Shimukappu at the upstream portion. There she finds a pension which serves deer meat to be caught in the local. That is very soft, she is thrilled to its taste. After that, she visits a local community cafe. Here she draws a picture together with local school children. Next morning, she arrives at the headwaters of �gMukawa�h, and learns the great natural cycle. "

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Fruitful of late autumn. Connecting think

"To Sorachi region in the late autumn. Sora is reunited with a grandmother of walnut farmers whom she met in the spring. In the walnut garden, real walnut have grows heavily. She experiences the harvest for the first time. While tasting walnut just harvested, she knows thought of the grandmother for the walnut. Next, At a bar, she enjoys Bibai`s famous grilled chiken�gBibai-Yakitori�h, and also perceives the history of coal-mining town from this taste. "

Nakasorachi

Explore the Sorachi to hand the wine

Onwards to Nakasorachi region in the central of Hokkaido. There is a winery that has the largest area in Japan, where the farmer sticks in handstick. There Sora experiences to harvest brewing grapes. Then, she brings her favorite wine tasting at the winery to the restaurant. While tasting the wine, she feels think of the people that want to fix the wine culture in Nakasorachi.

Betsukai

Explore the everyday like a dream

To the early winter of Betsukai which is located in eastern Hokkaido. Encounter with swan from Siberia, most quickly seen sunset in Japan, she is deeply impressed by a variety of natural scenery. At night, in a restaurant, while tasting �gHokkai Shimaebi�h which is known as local special shrimp, her mind is calm in the conversation of the patrons.

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Know the defunct result in the farthest reaches of the town

"To Nemuro which is located in the easternmost of Hokkaido. Sola visits a shop where a jewelry designer manages. The designer is emigrated to Nemuro from Tokyo, and makes the jewelry works . ""Climate of Nemuro better my works."" She sympathizes with the words of the designer. Next, she visits the Nature Center. While looking at the figure of favorite swan, she is happy mood involuntarily. "

Chitose�@and �@Abira�@and�@ �@ Tomakomai

First Winterreise

"To Sapporo city outskirts. Lake Utonai is the spot where wild birds across the sea rest their wings. She is obsessed with sight of the lake which relax the swans and ducks. Next, to the garden cafe on the way to Lake Shikotsu, she is looking forward to the early winter landscape there. Next, she visits a popular soba restaurant. Special soba noodles and tempura of homemade vegetable that the owner has been made is a rarity. It is her to enjoy the first Winterreise. "

Sapporo

Over the water to make the city

Re-discover Sapporo through the water. She visits the oldest soy sauce factory in Sapporo. This factory is making the soy sauce from more than 100 years ago with the subsoil water of Toyohira river. There are also sake factories and dyeing factories using the subsoil water, she learns that Sapporo industry and water is deeply involved.

Sapporo

The original landscape�@of 1.9 million city

"Sora`s last journey is in search of the original landscape of Sapporo. She visits the oldest Western-style agriculture architecture at Hokkaido University, and finds the starting point of the development in Hokkaido.Then, she eats grilled mutton dish called ""Jingisukan"", which was invented by the time numerous sheep had been breeding in Hokkaido. She learns that there was a large-scale sheep ranch in Sapporo once, and knows agriculture is at the origin of the 1.9 million city. "