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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.
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.
a close relative of the kiwi fruit , produces fruits about 2-3cm in size from mid-August to October. They have a smooth, hairless surface, but when you cut them open, they look just like "small kiwi fruits ." The pale green fruit is filled with many tiny seeds. It also has a sweet and sour taste similar to kiwi fruit.
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 a pear-like fruit that monkeys love to eat, so it's called Saru-nashi (Monkey Pear)" or "It's called Saru-nashi (Monkey-nashi) because monkeys eat it all up." Either way, it's said that it got its name because monkeys love to eat it.
Furthermore, in recent years, sarunashi has been attracting attention as a super fruit . It is said to contain a large amount of nutrients, including vitamin C, calcium, potassium, carotene, vitamin A, and dietary fiber. Therefore, it is expected to support health and beauty, such as fatigue recovery and anti-aging.
In addition to its delicious taste, the sarunashi is small in size, making it easy to eat, but the fruit is very delicate. Because it spoils easily, it is rare to find sarunashi that can be eaten raw . This is why sarunashi is referred to as the "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.
What is Tamagawa Village, which is focusing on monkey pea production?
Minamisukama Nembutsu Dance, Tamagawa Village, Ishikawa County, Fukushima Prefecture
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 that flows through the village is a first-class river that flows from Fukushima Prefecture to Miyagi Prefecture and is known for its serene appearance. Among these, Otojigataki Falls , located within the village, is a popular scenic spot that is counted as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls of Japan."
Additionally, Tamagawa Village is home to Fukushima Airport . The airport was built by cutting through the hilly area that straddles Tamagawa Village and Sukagawa City. Within the airport grounds, you can see an exhibition of characters from the Ultraman series, as Sukagawa City is the birthplace of Director Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Ultraman. Furthermore, Fukushima Airport Park , located adjacent to the airport, has three spacious areas themed around people, nature, and science, making it a great place for families and local residents to relax.
And what we want to focus on this time is that Tamagawa Village is known for its specialty product, "Sarunashi," and boasts the highest production of sarunashi in Japan. The sarunashi, which was originally eaten locally, has been recognized as one of the local resources, and the village has collaborated with Tamagawa University in Machida, Tokyo, to take on the challenge of sixth-generation production. As a result, various products made from processed sarunashi have been created, and the fruit has developed into an important industry for the village.
Enjoy monkey pears in Tamagawa Village!
Monkey pear flowers (flowering from May to July)
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 village a "Sarunashi Picking Experience" every year between September and October , where you can taste freshly picked sarunashi on the spot.
The chance to taste the rare "fresh sarunashi" is a very precious one. It is sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience with family and friends. For information on sarunashi harvesting experiences, check the official website of the Tamagawa Village Tourism and Products Association
We also recommend processed foods that can be enjoyed in any season and can be ordered online.
Kobushi no Sato Co., Ltd. "Sarunashi Cider"
At places like Tamakawa Roadside Station in Tamakawa Village, they sell a variety of unique products made with Tamakawa-grown sarunashi, including juice, wine, and jam . If you're 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
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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