{"id":51151,"date":"2019-10-29T20:00:42","date_gmt":"2019-10-29T11:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=51151"},"modified":"2020-07-22T23:54:45","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T14:54:45","slug":"delights-of-kyushu-kumamoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/delights-of-kyushu-kumamoto\/","title":{"rendered":"Delights of Kyushu: Where to Buy Organic Food and Local food in Kumamoto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sponsored by Northern Kumamoto Administrative Headquarters<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyushu, the most southwest of Japan’s main islands, is a food lovers paradise. With miles of lush, fertile land, organic products from Kumamoto are in high demand. Farmers are constantly thinking of ways to bring exciting new products to consumers. As a lover of Japanese cuisine, I was excited to find out more about the food in Kumamoto and explore its rich heritage as one of Japan\u2019s culinary capitals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyushu no Shokutaku: Kyushu’s Dining Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kyushu no Shokutaku<\/strong>, or \u2018Kyushu\u2019s dining table\u2019, started as a magazine in 2009 to promote homemade organic foods and good quality kitchen items. The popular magazine has predominantly moved online which allows them to concentrate on their mail order business, supplying organic products to customers throughout Japan, as well as from their shop in Kumamoto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The shop is situated opposite the tiny train station of Higo-Ozu<\/strong> on the Hohi Line that runs between Kumamoto and Oita (Currently the section between Higo-Otsu and Aso stations has been suspended). It\u2019s a residential area with many tall buildings and feels like a commuter town. Several izakaya<\/em> (Japanese pubs) are clustered around the station, their menus written on wooden boards and hung alongside colorful lanterns to entice hungry Japanese salarymen <\/em>(white collar workers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyushu no Shokutaku is set back slightly from the main road and has a lattice-style facade which makes it look quaint and welcoming. It\u2019s small but stocked with a wide range of beautiful organic products<\/strong>. Walking through the shop is like a journey through Kyushu with products displayed around you. They include everything from fresh eggs to sweet local jams and even beauty products. Each item has its place and is given a brown label with its name in English and Japanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was greeted warmly by the two members of the staff and given a short tour of their cafe. It\u2019s an attractive space, filled with beautiful old kitchen items and wooden furniture. The coffee menu had an interesting selection of beverages that not only featured tea and coffee but also blueberry and plum soda splits, made from local fruit, and a selection of tasty cookies. The menu specified where the item was from which was a very personal touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n