This is the second part of our interview with the Okushiri Innovation Division (OID), a unique school club dedicated to supporting other clubs by solving a common problem for remote island high schools: covering travel expenses for extracurricular activities!

On October 31st and November 1st, OID will be holding the “Okushiri Marche” at Hakodate Share Star!
We asked them about their preparations, their recommended products, and their love for Okushiri Island!

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Tell us what you're preparing for the “Okushiri Marche” on October 31st and November 1st!

For the marche, we're ordering new, original OID sweatshirts, creating a budget plan for the items we'll sell, and making pop-up signs for our display. Right now, there's a lot of paperwork, and we're all working together to get it done.

(Preparing for the marche)

The original OID sweatshirt we're selling this time has a different design from the T-shirts we've sold before!
The other design lead in the club created the design, and the draft is complete! We're also planning to sell it online!
(Draft of this year's sweatshirt design)

What's the product lineup for the “Okushiri Marche”?

・Two types of wine and one wine cake from Okushiri Island's “Okushiri Winery”!
・“OKUSHIRI CIDER,” a delicious cider sold exclusively on Okushiri Island.
・Three types of bread and two types of cake (pound cake and cheesecake) from “cafe faro,” the only cafe in Okushiri.
・Iwanori Tsukudani (simmered seaweed paste), cookies made with Okushiri rice, and Uni Soup (sea urchin soup) from “Tsuji Miyage-ten,” a souvenir shop on the second floor of the Okushiri Port Ferry Terminal.
That's our lineup!

We're selling these items with the cooperation of the local shop owners!

To select items like the alcoholic beverages, we asked for feedback from teachers and islanders who have tried them, and we also got recommendations directly from the staff at Okushiri Winery.

(Last year's Okushiri Marche)

What are your personal top recommendations?

I recommend the “Shio Pan” (salt bread) from Okushiri Island's cafe faro!
It's incredibly delicious!

My top pick is the “OKUSHIRI CIDER”!
It is seriously so good!

The “Okushiri Merlot Wine Cake” from Okushiri Winery! This product contains wine, so minors can't eat it...
I often hear how delicious it is, so I'm really curious and wonder what it tastes like. I want to try it as soon as I'm old enough!

For me, it's the “Okushiri Wine” from Okushiri Winery, although I've never tried it.
I became interested after hearing the stories from the producers, and it has a fantastic reputation among the teachers and islanders!
(Last year's Okushiri Marche)

Last question!
What do you love about Okushiri Island?

Okushiri Island is rich in nature, and I especially love how beautiful the ocean is! In the summer, I go to the sea almost every week. I can do so many things here that I couldn't do in my hometown, and you can really feel the warmth of the people. I love it so much that I'd want to live here forever, not just for my three years of high school!

The lady at the snack bar right near our dorm always greets me with a cheerful “Welcome back!” Just yesterday, when I was coming back, I saw her walking towards me with something in her hand, and she said, “Here, this is for you!” and gave me a monaka ice cream sandwich! There are so many kind people who are friendly to us!

First of all, the ocean is incredibly beautiful, and the stars are amazing too. And the food is delicious...!
Even without things you'd find in a city, like cram schools, you never get bored.
There are so many fun things to do outside; it's a place I truly love.
By the way, the omurice (omelet rice) at our dorm is the absolute best!(The sea and Nabetsuru Rock on Okushiri Island)

The ocean is just stunningly beautiful! The bus to school runs along the coast, and the view from the window is breathtaking. In the morning, the sunlight reflects off the surface of the water, and it's just gorgeous.
I once borrowed a snorkel and looked at the bottom of the sea, and it was so clear and truly beautiful...! Please come to Okushiri Island and try diving!


I want to live on Okushiri Island forever. Even if I'm away for just one day, I want to come back.
A friend's parent once took me on a drive around the whole island, and it was beautiful from every angle. The mountains are beautiful, the sea is beautiful, and even if you're just looking out from a high place, the beauty is endless. You never get tired of it!

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Listening to them, we could truly feel the wonderful relationship the OID members have built with the people of Okushiri Island and their deep love for their home.

Be sure to visit the “Okushiri Marche” at Hakodate Share Star!

“Okushiri Marche” Overview

【Dates & Times】
October 31st (Sat) 14:30 - 17:00
November 1st (Sun) 10:00 - 16:00
*Event will end early if products sell out.

【Location】
Share Star Hakodate, MUJI 1F Special Event Space (24-1 Honcho, Hakodate)

【Event Details】
Share Star Hakodate hosts a monthly event to sell and promote local specialty products. The Okushiri High School OID has been holding the “Okushiri Marche” since 2019 to promote Okushiri High School and share the charms of Okushiri Island by selling the island's famous products and original OID merchandise. Many people have visited so far, and at the marches held in July and November of last year, we were able to sell out completely.

When I asked if I could take their picture, they were a bit shy but gave me wonderful smiles!
Thank you all for the wonderful conversation!

Read Part 1 Here

■A School Club Solving a Unique Island Problem! Interview with Okushiri High School's Innovation Division [Part 1]
https://domingo.ne.jp/article/3676

 

Hokkaido Okushiri High School

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