What Kind of Town is Nanporo?

Nanporo is located right here!

One of Nanporo's charms is its easy access from other municipalities, being within a 30-minute drive from Ebetsu, Kitahiroshima, and Iwamizawa, and within an hour from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport. Many people live in Nanporo and commute to neighboring cities for work or school.
The main industry in Nanporo is agriculture. With no mountains or sea, the town's vast flatlands are perfect for growing rice, wheat, and vegetables. Nanporo's corn and cabbage are especially popular for being incredibly delicious.

While "white corn" is common now, its cultivation in Nanporo began about 20 years ago. The town is said to be the first in Hokkaido to produce the "Pure White" variety. The roots of sweet, white corn that can be eaten raw are right here in Nanporo.

Nanporo Has Many Hidden Gems! Let's Go Find Some Delicious Food

We asked Mr. Watanabe, Nanporo's tourism representative, to share three must-try gourmet foods for visitors!

① Crunchy Kimchi as the Perfect Accent! Cabbage Kimchi Ramen

First up is the Cabbage Kimchi Ramen, topped with plenty of cabbage kimchi made from Nanporo's specialty—sweet and flavorful cabbage!

There are several restaurants in town where you can eat ramen topped with Nanporo's unique cabbage kimchi, so it might be fun to try and compare different shops.
No time to eat in? Don't worry! You can buy the "Nanporo Kimchi Ramen" kit, which comes with authentic kimchi, and enjoy it at home.

Old packaging

② A Generous Amount of Nanporo Cabbage in a Kakiage! The Cabbage Tendon

The second recommendation is the "Cabbage Tendon," a dish that many people think of when they hear Nanporo gourmet!

This dish also uses plenty of Nanporo's specialty cabbage. Many people are surprised by the volume of this rice bowl, which is topped with three palm-sized cabbage kakiage (mixed tempura) and a shrimp tempura.
If you can't finish it, you can take the leftovers home, so be sure to give it a try.

For more details, please read this article as well.

③ A Town Without a Sea, But You Can Eat Fresh Seafood! Kotobukiya

The third recommendation is "Kotobukiya," a place where you can enjoy fresh seafood in the landlocked town of Nanporo.

In the second-floor dining area, you can relax and enjoy fresh seafood for everything from lunch to banquets.
There's also a direct sales corner on the first floor where you can buy fresh, carefully selected oysters and crabs shipped directly from Akkeshi and Nemuro fishing ports. It's a great place to stop by during a camping trip or a drive!

Recommended Souvenirs! Enjoy Nanporo at Home

For those who want to enjoy Nanporo's delicious food at home, especially now when it's hard to go out, here are some tasty souvenirs!

① The Sweetness of Cabbage and the Kick of Chili Peppers are Irresistible! Cabbage Kimchi

First up is the Cabbage Kimchi Ramen, topped with plenty of cabbage kimchi made from Nanporo's specialty—sweet and flavorful cabbage!

This Nanporo Cabbage Kimchi is made by pickling the town's sweet and flavorful cabbage with authentic spices like Korean chili peppers!

The natural sweetness of the cabbage and the spiciness of the chili peppers are a perfect match! You'll feel the heat the moment it enters your mouth, but the more you chew, the more you'll taste the cabbage's sweetness and crunch. It's a kimchi so good you won't be able to put your chopsticks down.

② Tender Meat Marinated in a Secret Raw Sauce! Nanporo Genghis Khan

Since 1964, they have preserved a traditional recipe: a sweet marinade made with a secret, unheated raw sauce based on soy sauce, fruits, and over a dozen spices. No preservatives are used. They use carefully selected high-quality Australian meat, meticulously trimming excess fat, bones, and sinew before processing.
For the Genghis Khan, you can choose between mutton loin and lamb. They also sell tripe in both salt and miso flavors, so you can pick your favorite. The sets are also recommended!