Mitsuishi Kombu Travel – Shinhidaka Cycling Journey

Story

Kombu or kelp is an emerging cooking ingredient attracting attention globally. Mitsuishi Kombu, one of the most renowned in the world, is harvested here at Shinhidaka-cho, Hokkaido. Kombu (Kelp) is an ingredient with a strong association with various rituals and seasonal events. It has a long history and association with cultures, and an indispensable part of the people of Shinhidaka-cho in every aspect of their life. This cycling tour highlights the importance of Kombu (kelp), an essential part of Japanese tradition and cuisine, and helps participants feel the significance of the Kombu (kelp) industry that supports the local economy with all of their five senses.


Highlights

  • Hands-on experience of harvesting and processing Kombu (kelp), which has supported the economy of the Hidaka region for many generations
  • Sampling Kombu(kelp) stock, an essential part of traditional Japanese cuisine
  • Savoring the taste of Mitsuishi Kombu, which represents Umami, the fifth basic taste after sweetness, sourness, saltiness and bitterness
  • Enjoying cycling along the coast while admiring the view of sun-drying kelp on the beach, a unique sight that can be seen only at a kelp-producing region
  • LocationMitsuishi-Shizunai, Shinhidaka, Hokkaido
  • Main ActivityCycling
  • Difficulty2

Route map

Day 1 Pink line
Day 2 Blue line

Day 1 (Pink line) Distance 53.9km Elevation ＋570ｍ－569ｍ
Day 2 (Blue line) Distance 41.3km Elevation ＋467ｍ－471ｍ


Day-by-day Itinerary (Sample)

Day1

Gather at the Shinhidaka Tourist Information Centre at the site of the former JR-Shizunai train station at 9 am.

AM
Learn about Kombu (kelp) and its association with Shinhidaka-cho from the curator of a local museum. Taste and savor the umami flavors of various kombu blends!

Lunch
Lunch at “Amaya” to experience kelp stock culture while savoring at Japanese lunch using the stock.

PM
Cycling along the magnificent Hidaka mountain range, which is known for cultivating rich kelp, and the Pacific coastline, we make our way towards Mitsuishi.
Dinner at Mitsuishi Onsen Kurazo Kaiseki（Japanese cusine）dinner. Enjoy Hidaka’s local delicacies with Kombu stock and Soak yourself in a “kelp spa” benefit to finish off Day 1.


Accommodation＆Dinner : Mitsuishi Konbu Onsen Kurazo

162 Mitsuishi Kerimai, Shinhidaka-cho, Hidaka-gun, Hokkaido 059-3233.
TEL：0146-34-2300
Room types: Japanese-style room (with a bed) or Western-style room (with toilet but no bath)


Day2

Experience Umami, as well as harvesting and sun-drying kelp.

Breakfast
Japanese style breakfast at Kurazo.

AM
After quick briefing, leave the hotel and head to the kelp harvesting site on the beach you learned about on Day 1. Help the local kelp farmer, Kaichi Isogai, to go up close and personal with kelp harvesting. Try sun-drying kelp, handed to you by Kaichi-san upon his return to shore.

Lunch
Savor Japanese family cuisine prepared with Kombu(kelp) stock and dried Kombu(kelp) savings at Porto Mitsuishi. (Rice balls, soup, grilled fish, etc.)

PM
On the way, enjoy the view of sun-drying kelp on the beach, a rare sight that can only been seen at a kelp-producing region, and sample the area’s unique dessert, Mitsuishi Kombu Soft-Serve Ice Cream. Finish the tour at the Shinhidaka Tourist Information Center


What’s included

  • Tour guide
  • Support car
  • Bicycle rental
  • Day 1 lunch
  • Admission to the Shinhidaka Museum
  • Kelp harvesting / sun-drying experience
  • Cooking experience
  • Snacks
  • Accommodation fee（1 night with 2 meals）
  • Bus transport, etc. in case of weather-related cancellation

We provide & What to bring

We provide

  • Bicycle (including E-Bike )
  • Helmet
  • Hand sanitizer, non-contact thermometer
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Support car

What to bring

  • Cycling clothes (minimal skin exposure, easy to move, easy to wash, no flaring trouser hems)
  • Sneakers
  • Cold weather clothes
  • Snacks
  • Beverage (drink bottle)
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Windcheater jacket
  • Sunscreen
  • Backpack
  • Towel

Guides

Cycling guide business: Cycling Frontier
⇒ The business serviced some 2,000 international visitors in FY2019, demonstrating sufficient
experiences and skills including first aid.

【Yuya Ishizuka (English language support)】

  • Advanced first-aid training (Sapporo City) completed
  • JCGA Cycling Guide Master
  • JCA Cycling Guide chief examiner
  • Cycle Safety Summit (first aide course for response to crash) lecturer
  • JCGA (Japan Cycling Guide Association) Cycling Guide Master
  • JCGA technical committee member
  • JCGA Cycling Guide promotion officer
  • Bicycle mechanic

【Tomiyasu Ishikawa (Support car driver)】

  • Advanced Fire Management and First Aide course completed

Local guide business: Porto Mitsuishi, Hashimoto Kogyo
Number of local guides: One

【Yasushi Hashimoto (English language support)】


Information and Requirements

Emergency Response Plan

  • An expert from the tour operating company will escort the group throughout the entire tour.
  • A complete emergency medical kit (adhesive tapes, bandages, disinfectant, etc.) will be carried in each supporting vehicle.
  • Emergency response manuals will also be carried.
  • Cycling Frontier Hokkaido's own emergency response procedures will also be incorporated.

【In case of Inclement Weather】

  • Cycling tours will be canceled upon the issuance of high wind warnings, evacuation advisories, and lightning warnings.

【Substitute Plan】

In case the cycling tour is canceled, participants will switch over to a bus tour as follows:

  • Itinerary
  1. Amaya: Experiencing Umami culture – Japanese-style lunch
  2. Shinhidaka Museum: History of kelp lecture by the curator
  3. Mitsuishi Kombu: Enjoying kelp soft-serve ice cream
  4. Mitsuishi Konbu Onsen Kurazo: Dinner and accommodation
  5. Isogai Kaichi Shoten: Experiencing kelp processing
  6. Porto Mitsuishi: Experiencing Japanese family meal (rice balls, soup, grilled fish)

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

We are not liable or responsible for any damages or injuries caused by the following actions and/or reasons:

  • Willful or gross negligence caused by insurance policy holders, other insured persons and insurance beneficiaries
  • Fights, suicides and criminal behavior
  • Traffic accidents whether or not drivers are insured, the driving of motorcycles without licenses, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, whether prescription or illegal
  • Brain and other diseases, insanity
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, premature birth, abortion
  • Surgical operations (except for accidents caused by us)
  • Accidents and riots related to wars and revolutions
  • Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and other Acts of God
  • Nuclear contamination caused by nuclear accidents
  • Mountain climbing using tools such as ice axes; rock climbing; luge; bobsled; skeleton sports; flying planes; sky diving; hang gliding; riding super-light powered machines such as motor hang gliders, micro light aircraft, and ultra light aircraft.
  • Racing, competing, performing and test driving of automobiles, motorcycles, motorboats, etc.
  • Whiplash or back pain without independent medical proof.

Partner Company

CYCLING FRONTIER HOKKAIDO
Shinhidaka-cho Town Office
Porto Mitsuishi


Tour Operator

KNT-CT Holdings Co., Ltd.
2-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo