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The Mainichi
3 days ago
- The Mainichi
Japan Uncovered #4: Snow shapes life in agricultural rich Minamiuonuma in Niigata Pref.
Coordinators for international relations from around the world are responsible for international exchange activities across Japan. In this series, they share the charms of the municipalities where they live and work. *** Minamiuonuma is a city where snow and humans coexist in Niigata Prefecture. Located in the heart of Japan's snow country, or as it is officially designated, "gousetsu chitai" (special heavy snowfall region), an average year sees the city covered in two meters or more of snow throughout the winter. The remarkable way life here has been shaped by the snow since long ago was famously depicted by the 18th century merchant, Suzuki Bokushi, in his book, "Snow Country Tales," which became a best-seller. The iconic restored Edo-era townscape that fronts Shiozawa Station, Bokushi-dori street, bears his name. Minamiuonuma's thriving industries, from Japan's top-rated Koshihikari rice and world-famous Hakkaisan sake brewery to its numerous destination ski resorts, are all in one way or another made possible thanks to the snow. Mount Hakkai offers spectacular views all year round The stark mountains that flank Minamiuonuma's lush fields on the east and west provide any number of breathtaking vistas, but Hakkaisan, or Mt. Hakkai, with its distinctive jagged eight peaks particularly stands out -- and is the perfect place to experience the breadth of what Minamiuonuma has to offer. The Hakkaisan Ropeway shuttles skiers and snowboarders to some of the city's most premium powder snow runs in the winter, hikers to gorgeous trails during the green season, and anyone who simply wants their breath taken away to jaw-dropping views all year round. At the base, one will find the Hakkaisanroku Cycling Terminal, offering bicycle rentals of both the mountain and road variety for those who prefer to take in the idyllic rural scenery on two wheels. Finally, there is the eponymous Hakkaisan sake brewery. Tours are available of the brewery's "yukimuro" (natural snow cellar), a fascinating example of how the wisdom of snow country from ages past is still being practically applied today. Every year, snow accumulated on the mountaintops melts throughout the spring and summer, filters through the soil, and flows down as pure and delicious natural spring water, which is then used to brew the sake and water the rice that Minamiuonuma is known for. Because of this and other unique aspects of the area's climate and geography, the brand of rice grown here, Uonuma Koshihikri, is consistently of exceptionally high quality. It is even regarded as the best in Japan, having received the Japan Grain Inspection Association's highest rating more times than any other variety. The city's three sake breweries, Takachiyo, Aoki, and Hakkaisan, are each renowned as well, locally, domestically, and internationally, respectively. In a big move, Hakkaisan has recently partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the team's official sake. Try various kinds of 'majidon' Of course, anyone visiting Minamiuonuma would be remiss not to taste the homegrown Koshihikari rice, and the best way to do so is by eating "majidon" ("don" as in "donburi," or rice bowl and "maji," meaning serious). Majidon is served up seasonally in restaurants throughout the city starting in October, coinciding with the yearly rice harvest. Every shop offers a different take -- some, for example, make a "chirashi-don" topped with sashimi, while others do a "katsu-don" topped with a fried pork cutlet -- a few even serve "kirizai-don," a historical dish unlikely to be found anywhere else that is topped with natto and local pickled vegetables. What all majidon have in common is an extra-large helping of freshly harvested Koshihikari rice. Majidon is available until the end of February, so it's worth trying as many as possible while it lasts. City information Population: 51,666 (as of June 2025) Number of foreign residents: 1,274 (as of June 2025) Area: 584.55 square kilometers Convenient access to the city: Urasa Station (Joetsu Shinkansen) About the writer Name: Timothy Folsom Country of origin: United States of America Years living in Japan: Three Favorite Japanese foods: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and spicy miso ramen Favorite thing about Japan: Tea ceremony
Japan Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
U.S. tariffs overshadow Japan's agriculture and food exports
Reciprocal tariffs imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump are feared to throw cold water on Japan's efforts to expand its exports of agricultural and food products to the United States. Last year, Japan exported a record ¥1.5 trillion worth of agricultural, forestry, fishery and food products. Exports to the United States grew 17.8% from the previous year to ¥242.9 billion, surpassing those to China and Hong Kong, which had long been Japan's top export destinations. The United States is a key market for Japanese exports, with green tea, beef, rice, scallops and alcoholic beverages, including sake, especially gaining traction due to an increase in Japanese restaurants. "We were just beginning (to boost sales in the United States)," said an official at Hakkaisan Brewery, which produces the Hakkaisan brand of sake. The sake maker, based in Niigata Prefecture, has been expanding its overseas operations, aided by the listing of traditional sake brewing as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It has signed a partnership agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, which includes Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, to advertise Hakkaisan at the Dodgers' ballpark. While the company is also focusing on the European market, the United States is its largest export destination. The company will continue to work to expand in the U.S. market, but will have to consider diversifying export destinations if doing business in the United States becomes difficult, the official said. Ito En's green tea product for exports | Ito En / via Jiji Ito En has been boosting sales of its green tea products in the U.S. market thanks to the boom in Japanese cuisine and rising health awareness. It is gaining consumer recognition after featuring Ohtani in its advertising. Green tea was previously not subject to tariffs, so Ito En may be forced to raise prices. A company official expressed concern about a possible decline in consumer interest, and said that the company is "considering building a flexible supply system, including production in the U.S. mainland." Japanese goods need to be sold by "emphasizing that there are no alternatives" to them, said Kazuhito Yamashita, senior researcher at the Canon Institute for Global Strategies. Many Japanese goods are currently under a blanket 10% tariff that applies to all economies, while the country-specific part of the reciprocal tariffs has been suspended. Yamashita said that if the suspension is lifted, some Japanese products may be put at a disadvantage compared with goods from other countries. He noted the need to closely monitor other countries' negotiations with the United States.
Japan Times
31-03-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
New York's Brooklyn Kura becomes first U.S. sake exporter to Japan
On March 27, New York-based sake brewery Brooklyn Kura became the first U.S. sake producer to export its products to Japan. This entry into the Japanese market is the result of a partnership between Brooklyn Kura, established in 2018, and Hakkaisan, a sake brewery in Niigata Prefecture. The collaboration began in 2021 as a joint effort to exchange product development ideas and introduce sake to more American consumers. Now the sake is heading in the other direction. Brian Polen, co-founder and president of Brooklyn Kura, did not specify the number of cases the company would be exporting, noting only that the 'initial volume is relatively small' but that its sake will be available at bars, restaurants and liquor shops in Japan.
