Tamagawa Village, Fukushima Prefecture: A major producer of the mythical fruit "Sarunashi"! What makes it a popular super fruit?

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Tamagawa Village, located in the Nakadori region of Fukushima Prefecture, is focusing on producing the "Sarunashi" fruit, which is said to be the original species of kiwifruit, as its specialty. The "Sarunashi" fruit is not a familiar name to most people, but there is a reason why it is attracting so much attention, not just because it is a rare fruit

This time, we will take a deeper look into the relationship between Tamagawa Village and the monkey pear

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What kind of fruit is "Sarunashi"?

Sarunashi, also known as kokuwa, is a plant that is widely distributed in the mountainous regions of the Japanese archipelago, and in particularly cold regions, it grows wild even in settlements at altitudes of less than 100 meters

The kiwifruit-like fruit, Actinidia arguta, bears fruit about 2-3 cm in size from mid-August to October. Its surface is smooth and hairless, butwhen you cut it open, it looks just like a miniature kiwifruit. The pale green fruit contains many small seeds. It also has a sweet and sour taste similar to kiwifruit.

By the way, the origin of the name "Saru-nashi" is related to the animal monkey

Saru-nashi fruit is an important food source for wild animals. Asian black bears and brown bears are said to enjoy consuming large amounts of saru-nashi. Japanese macaques are no exception

"It's called 'sarunashi' (monkey pear) because it's a pear-like fruit that monkeys like to eat," or "It's called 'sarunashi' (monkey-less) because monkeys eat them all." In any case, it is said that the name came about because monkeys eat them often.

Furthermore, in recent years, Actinidia argutahas been attracting attention as a superfood. It is said to contain a great deal of nutrients, including vitamin C, calcium, potassium, carotene, vitamin A, and dietary fiber. For this reason, it is expected to support health and beauty, such as relieving fatigue and anti-aging.

In addition to its delicious taste, the small size of the kiwi fruit makes it easy to eat quickly, but the fruit itself is very delicate. Because it spoils easily, itis rare to find kiwi fruit available for fresh consumption. This is why the kiwi fruit is sometimes referred to as a "phantom fruit."

At first glance, the sarunashi may seem difficult to handle, but it is actually Tamagawa Village, Ishikawa County, Fukushima Prefecture, that produces this sarunashi as a local specialty. Next, we will introduce you to the area of ​​Tamagawa Village

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What is Tamagawa Village, which is focusing on monkey pea production?

Tamagawa Village, Ishikawa County, is a village located in the Nakadori region of Fukushima Prefecture. It was once ruled by Ishikawa Akinokami Minamoto no Arimitsu, a member of the Minamoto no Yoriyoshi clan. When Izumi Village and Sukama Village merged in 1955, the village took its name from the Tama River (later renamed "Izumigo River") that flowed through the two villages, and became Tamagawa Village

Tamagawa Village is one of the more compact areas in Fukushima Prefecture, but it is an area blessed with charm and resources

First, the Abukuma River, which flows through the village, is a first-class river that flows from Fukushima Prefecture to Miyagi Prefecture, and is praised for its majestic appearance. Among them,Ototsugataki Falls, is a popular scenic spot and is counted as one of "Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls."

In addition, Tamagawa Village is home toFukushima Airport. The airport was built by excavating a hilly area that spans Tamagawa Village and Sukagawa City. Within the airport grounds, visitors can see exhibits of characters from the Ultraman series, a nod to the fact that Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Ultraman, is from Sukagawa City. Furthermore,Fukushima Airport Park, located next to the airport, features three spacious areas themed around people, nature, and science, making it a place of relaxation for families and local residents.

What we want to highlight this time is thatTamagawa Village's specialty product is the "kiwi fruit," andit boasts the largest production volume of kiwi fruit in Japan. Originally a local food, the kiwi fruit was recognized as one of the local resources, and the village collaborated with Tamagawa University in Machida City, Tokyo, to take on the challenge of sixth-sector industrialization. As a result, various products made from processed kiwi fruit have been created, and it has grown into an important industry for the village.

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Enjoy monkey pears in Tamagawa Village!

As mentioned above, sarunashi can only be eaten raw for a very short period of time, and they are rarely available in the market. However, in Tamagawa Village, a major producer of sarunashi, you can have a special experience that can only be found in a place where they are grown

the villageEvery year in September and October,holds a "kiwi fruit picking experience," where visitors can enjoy tasting freshly picked kiwi fruits on the spot.

The chance to taste the rare "fresh kiwi fruit" is truly precious. It will undoubtedly be a unique experience to share with family and friends. For information on when the kiwi fruit harvesting experience will be held,the Tamagawa Village Tourism and Products Associationplease check the official website of

We also recommend processed foods that can be enjoyed in any season and can be ordered online

At places like "Michi-no-Eki Tamakawa" in Tamagawa Village,find a variety of unique products made from locally grown kiwi fruit, such as juice, wine, and jam. If you're ever in the area, be sure to check them out!

Tamakawa Roadside Station <Information>

• Facility name: Tamakawa Roadside Station
• Address: 140-2 Miyanomae, Oaza Iwahoji, Tamagawa Village, Ishikawa County, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0247-57-3800
• Business hours: 8:30-18:00
• URL:http://www.kobushinosato.com/
• Online shop:http://shop.kobushinosato.com/

Google Map

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The "phantom fruit" you can find in Tamagawa Village

This time we introduced the monkey pear, a specialty of Tamagawa Village, Ishikawa County, Fukushima Prefecture

The monkey pear can only be eaten raw for a short period of time, making it a rare fruit that is hard to find in the market. However, the fruit is so delicious that monkeys eat it all. Furthermore, it is attracting attention as a super fruit because it is rich in nutrients. Its cute appearance, resembling a small kiwi fruit, is also soothing

If you're interested, why not visit Tamagawa Village and experience the unique flavors of this fruit? We also recommend ordering or buying souvenirs made from sarunashi juice or wine

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