This time, we would like to introduce Sarufutsu Village, the northernmost village in Japan. Sarufutsu Village, where fishing and dairy farming are thriving, boasts of great popularity for its hometown tax return gifts such as natural scallops, one of the largest scallop catch in Japan, and ice cream made from fresh raw milk squeezed by local dairy farmers, as you can taste delicious local products.

However, the current system of "hometown tax payment" tends to focus only on "value for money," and the competition for returned goods has intensified in many areas, often causing problems. ......
Sarufutsu Village, on the other hand, has been practicing a hometown taxation system that is not bound by the return of gifts by linking "hometown tax payment" with "a richer lifestyle in the village".

What is Sarufutsu Village like?

Sarufutsu Village is the "northernmost village in Japan" and is located in the center of the Soya General Promotion Bureau, the northernmost part of Hokkaido, at about the same latitude as Montreal, Canada. Sarufutsu Village is bordered by the coastline of the Sea of Okhotsk to the east, Toyotomi Town to the west, Horonobe Town and Hamatombetsu Town to the south, and Wakkanai City to the north.
According to the 2015 census, the total population was 2,684 and the total fertility rate was 2.19, well above the national average of 1.46. The aging rate is 22.8%, the third lowest among the 179 municipalities in Hokkaido.
Compared to the national average, Hokkaido has a large percentage of young and working-age population, making it an easy place to live.

Sarufutsu, a village with a thriving fishing and dairy farming industry

The number of fishermen is 257, and the annual catch of natural scallops is a whopping 46,228 tons (fiscal year 2009).
Facing the Sea of Okhotsk, Sarufutsu Village boasts the largest catch of natural scallops in Japan, as well as hairy crabs, salmon, and trout. The scallops from Sarufutsu Village are well known for their delicious flavor and firm flesh, thanks to the fast-flowing tides. In the past, there was a time when resources were depleted and the village was poor. The village overcame those hard times and now supports the village's industry.

The number of dairy farmers is 170, and milk production amounts to 41,645 tons (fiscal year 2009).
Sarufutsu milk, which is characterized by a thirst-quenching and rich texture similar to raw milk, is the result of the unrelenting efforts of the dairy farmers, who deal with each cow on a daily basis, and each cow has its own unique characteristics. Along with the fishing industry, dairy farming in Sarufutsu Village is one of the village's two main industries.

We asked a person at the Sarufutsu Village Office about it!

What is the charm of Sarufutsu Village?

Mr. Tomohiro Takahashi, Planning Policy Division, Sar ufutsu Village

I have grown up in Sarufutsu since I was a child.

The good thing about Sarufutsu Village is that it is rich in nature and the food is delicious!
It is a small village with a population of about 2,700, so I feel the kindness of the people close to me and they really treat me well. This year, I was even taken on a fishing trip by the head of the community association, who was involved in my work, on his boat! I have a strong relationship with each and every person in the town, and my life is very rich.

Mr. Takuro Shinke, Planning Policy Division, Sarufutsu Village

I have been living in Sarufutsu Village for a long time, and honestly speaking, I did not think it was special because of the abundance of "delicious food" and "rich nature" in my daily life.

However, as I became involved in the hometown tax payment project, I had more opportunities to talk with people from all over Japan, and I realized that the scallops and ice cream in the village are much tastier than in other areas. After that, I always thought, "How can I let people know how good Sarufutsu is?" I am always thinking, "How can I let people know the good things about Sarufutsu? For example, I wanted more people to know about Sarufutsu Village, so I asked Hajiji of "Hajiji Maze Theater" to make a video about the village.

What are some of your favorite places in Sarufutsu Village?

Mr. Tomohiro Takahashi, Planning and Policy Division, Sarufutsu Village

The Esanuka Line! The vast land, wide sky, and the exhilaration of riding along the straight road is the best.

Mr . Takuro Shinke, Planning and Policy Division, Sarufutsu Village

In Sarufutsu Village, the sky, the sea, and the land look beautiful no matter where you look. I especially recommend the morning sun seen from Sarufutsu Park. The color of the sky and the clouds are very beautiful.

Photo by Mr. Takuro Shinke

Photo courtesy of Takuro Shine

What kind of return goods are available for Sarufutsu-mura's hometown tax payment?

Three winners will receive the "Sarufutsu-mura Furusato Set" which consists of four products in one! Please check out the Sarufutsu Village Furusato Tax Payment Special Site!
Sarufutsu Village, Hokkaido [Official] Furusato Tax Payment Special Site

Try it out! Arranged recipes

Mr. Shinke and Mr. Takahashi recommend the following arranged recipe: 2. Cooked rice with dried scallops!

Sarufutsu Village Tax Payment

Sarufutsu Village is famous for its fishing and dairy farming. The tax returns from Sarufutsu Village are all gorgeous and delicious!

Sarufutsu Village Furusato Tax Ranking 5

Hokkaido Sarufutsu-mura [Official] Furusato Tax Payment Special Site

Sarufutsu Village boasts the largest catch of natural scallops and dried scallops in Japan, as well as dairy products such as ice cream, butter, and bread made from fresh raw milk squeezed by local dairy farmers. Sarufutsu Village's hometown tax payment is extremely popular because you can taste the delicious foods that abound in the village.

However, the current system of "hometown tax payment" tends to focus only on "luxury" and "value for money," and the competition for returned goods is intensifying in many places.

The village of Sarufutsu, however, is practicing a way to link the return of tax revenue to "a more affluent life in the village. Specifically, to create new industries, plastic greenhouses have been installed, and research and studies are being conducted on the cultivation of strawberries, leafy vegetables, and other crops. The "Food and Health Project" has been launched with the cooperation of nutritionists, cooks, and public health nurses to try to link the cultivation process to dietary education and to have villagers eat the harvested products to improve their health. We are seeking initiatives to consider the health of villagers from the perspective of food.

Newly constructed greenhouses (photo courtesy of Sarufutsu Village)

Vegetables grown in the greenhouses (photo courtesy of Sarufutsu Village)

Recruitment of Regional Development Cooperation Volunteers

Sarufutsu Village has been conducting research on agriculture using plastic greenhouses since this year. Currently, two members of the Regional Development Cooperative are involved in this project, but we would like to increase the number of our members.
If you are interested in getting involved in agriculture and new projects, please contact us!
For more information, click here.

Summary

Sarufutsu Village, the northernmost village in Japan, is a charming village full of food, people, ease of living, and hope for the future.

Please consider making a tax payment to the hometown where you can taste the village's delicacies and contribute to its future.

Hokkaido Sarufutsu Village 【Official】Furusato Tax Payment Special Site