Soba Making Experience We visited “Soba Restaurant Meijin-tei”. The soba makers at Meijin-tei pride themselves on their handmade soba made from 100% locally grown brown buckwheat (buckwheat seeds), milled on a millstone and roller mill! You can taste not only Seiro-soba, but also Meijin-tei Gyoja-soba and Juwari-soba, as well as exquisite grilled rice balls and buckwheat dumplings. This time, we were instructed by a master soba maker on how to make authentic soba. The process of making and cutting buckwheat noodles took about two hours. This is the “mizumawashi” process, in which water is sprinkled over the buckwheat flour two or three times to thoroughly distribute the water to the flour. After the water has been absorbed, the buckwheat flour is “kneaded” to make it sticky. Then, in a process called “kukuri,” the buckwheat flour is shaped into a round shape. Then, the buckwheat is stretched by hand or with a rolling pin. It was a great struggle because the force was not evenly distributed. The soba-making masters helped us many times. Then came the hardest part, the cutting process. The soba maker could not cut the soba into even widths like the master soba maker, and we realized how difficult it is to make soba. Boiling the cut buckwheat noodles. I was very excited to see how the soba would turn out. The soba was finished! We enjoyed freshly fried tempura together. The taste of the soba, which was made entirely by hand under the direct guidance of a master soba maker, was exceptional! Through this soba making experience, we were able to experience the depth of soba making and the joy of making soba by hand. The pleasure of tasting soba made by oneself was exceptional, and it was a valuable reminder of the excellence of traditional techniques.
Saki weaving experience We visited “Kusa no Ie” for Saki weaving experience. At “Kusa no Ie”, you can try “Saki Weaving”, which is to tear old cloth into small pieces and recycle them as weft. Visitors can weave coasters, vase mats, and more. I was surprised when I entered the house! There were many looms in the room. After choosing your favorite pattern from a variety of fabrics, you can start your weaving experience! The instructor carefully explained each step of the process. It was very difficult to actually try it! We were absorbed in the process of weaving, using not only our hands but also our feet at the same time. Gradually, the coasters were completed. Such a nice coaster was completed! Through this experience of hata-ori weaving, I was able to once again feel the charm of handwork and the depth of traditional culture. We were able to experience the thought and skill that goes into each thread, and the joy of creating our own unique work of art. Finally, we went to the “Torette Market,” which offers a wide variety of locally grown vegetables, original products of Miharashi Farm, and souvenirs. Inside the store, there were many attractive local foods on display. It is a great place for shopping at the end of your trip. –What is your message to travelers? Have you ever seen an ostrich egg? Ostrich eggs” are sold at the “Torette Market” I mentioned earlier! I was shocked at the size of the “ostrich egg” I saw for the first time. An ostrich egg is said to be equivalent to about 25 to 30 chicken eggs. Also, it takes at least two hours to boil an ostrich egg, and depending on the heat and the size of the egg, it can take up to half a day. They make a great impact for small events and surprises! When you stop by, please take a look at the “ostrich egg” and realize how big it is. We received the cooperation of the “Ina City Regional Development Cooperation Corps” for this interview. The “Regional Development Cooperation Corps” is an initiative in which local governments accept city residents and commission them to work as “Regional Development Cooperation Corps” for a certain period of time to promote industry and community development activities in order to encourage them to settle down and settle in the area. They are indispensable for the revitalization of Ina City! JAL will continue to work with the “Ina City Regional Development Cooperation Team” to promote the charms of Ina City. We would like to thank the members of the “Ina City Regional Development Cooperation Team” for their cooperation in this interview. The “Regional Development Cooperation Corps” is an initiative in which local governments accept city residents and commission them to work as “Regional Development Cooperation Corps” for a certain period of time to promote industry and community development activities in order to encourage them to settle down and settle in the area. They are indispensable for the revitalization of Ina City! JAL will continue to work with the “Ina City Regional Development Cooperation Team” to promote the charms of Ina City. How was everyone’s visit? Ina City, Nagano Prefecture’s “Miharashi Farm” is surrounded by abundant nature, where you can enjoy seasonal scenery, delicious tastes, and exciting experiences. Every time you visit, you will be healed and forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life to spend a special time here. We invite you to visit the farm and experience something that you can only experience here. Heartwarming encounters and excitement are sure to await you!
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