Today, we're introducing Sarufutsu, the northernmost village in Japan. The return gifts for Sarufutsu's Furusato Nozei (Hometown Tax) program are immensely popular, offering a taste of the village's delicious local products. These include natural scallops, boasting one of the largest catches in Japan, and ice cream made from fresh milk sourced from local dairy farms.

However, the current Furusato Nozei system often focuses too much on the "value" of the gifts, leading to intense competition among municipalities and sometimes becoming a point of contention.
Amidst this, Sarufutsu Village is practicing a new approach to the hometown tax system that goes beyond just the return gifts by linking donations to creating a richer life in the village.

What Kind of Place is Sarufutsu Village?

Sarufutsu Village, known as "Japan's northernmost village," is located roughly in the center of the Soya General Subprefectural Bureau in northern Hokkaido, at about the same latitude as Montreal, Canada. The village is bordered by the Sea of Okhotsk to the east, the hilly mountains separating it from Toyotomi Town to the west, Horonobe and Hamatonbetsu towns to the south, and Wakkanai City to the north.
According to the 2015 census, the total population is 2,684, and the total fertility rate is 2.19, significantly higher than the national average of 1.46. The aging rate is 22.8%, the third lowest among Hokkaido's 179 municipalities.
Compared to the national average, the proportions of the youth and working-age populations are larger, indicating that it is a comfortable place to live.

Sarufutsu, a Village Thriving on Fishing and Dairy Farming

The number of fishery workers is 257, and the annual catch of natural scallops reaches an incredible 46,228 tons (as of FY2017).
In Sarufutsu Village, which faces the Sea of Okhotsk, they land not only natural scallops, which boast the largest catch in Japan, but also horsehair crabs, salmon, and trout. Sarufutsu's scallops are renowned for being firm, plump, and delicious, having been strengthened by the fast-flowing currents. There was once a time of poverty when resources were depleted. Overcoming those difficult times, this industry now supports the village.

Additionally, there are 170 dairy farmers, and milk production amounts to 41,645 tons (as of FY2017).
Sarufutsu's milk, characterized by a smooth texture close to raw milk and a rich taste, is born from the tireless efforts of dairy farmers who tend to each unique cow day in and day out. Dairy farming, alongside fishing, is one of the village's two main industries.

We Asked the Staff at Sarufutsu Village Office!

What makes Sarufutsu Village so charming?

Sarufutsu Village Planning and Policy Division Mr. Tomohiro Takahashi

I've grown up in Sarufutsu since I was a child.

The best things about Sarufutsu Village are its abundant nature and incredibly delicious food!
Since it's a small village with a population of about 2,700, you can feel the kindness of people up close, and they treat you really well. This year, a neighborhood association chairman I worked with even took me out on his boat to go rockfish fishing! The relationships with each person in the town are deep, making life here rich.

Sarufutsu Village Planning and Policy Division Mr. Takuro Shinya

I've lived in Sarufutsu Village my whole life, and honestly, I never thought that having an abundance of 'delicious food' and 'rich nature' was anything special; it was just my everyday life.

But since getting involved with the Furusato Nozei program, I've had more opportunities to talk with people from all over the country, and I've realized that our village's scallops and ice cream are exceptionally delicious compared to other regions. Since then, I'm always thinking, "How can I get more people to know about the good things in Sarufutsu?" and I move around with agility, with little boundary between work and private life. For example, to get more people to know about Sarufutsu Village, I even commissioned the YouTuber Haijii from "Haijii Meisaku Gekijou" to create a video about the village.

Please tell us your top recommended spots in Sarufutsu Village!

Sarufutsu Village Planning and Policy Division Mr. Tomohiro Takahashi

It has to be the Esanuka Line! The exhilarating feeling of driving on a straight road that stretches on forever, with the vast land and wide sky, is the best.

Sarufutsu Village Planning and Policy Division Mr. Takuro Shinya

In Sarufutsu Village, the sky, sea, and land look beautiful from anywhere you look. My special recommendation is the sunrise seen from Sarufutsu Park. The colors of the sky and the look of the clouds are just stunning.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Takuro Shinya

Photo courtesy of Mr. Takuro Shinya

What Kind of Return Gifts Does Sarufutsu Village's Hometown Tax Program Offer?

Three lucky winners will receive the "Sarufutsu Village Furusato Set," which includes four different products! Be sure to check out the Sarufutsu Village Furusato Nozei special website!
Official Furusato Nozei Website for Sarufutsu Village, Hokkaido  

Want to Try It? An Arranged Recipe

Mr. Shinya and Mr. Takahashi's recommended recipe is Takikomi Gohan (mixed rice) using the 2. Dried Scallop Adductor Muscles!

Sarufutsu Village's Furusato Nozei Program

Sarufutsu Village thrives on its fishing and dairy industries. The return gifts for its Furusato Nozei program are all so luxurious and delicious-looking!

Top 5 Popular Return Gifts for Sarufutsu Village's Furusato Nozei

  Official Furusato Nozei Website for Sarufutsu Village, Hokkaido

From natural scallops and dried adductor muscles, which boast the largest catch in Japan, to dairy products like ice cream, butter, and bread made from fresh milk sourced from local dairy farmers. Sarufutsu Village's Furusato Nozei program is immensely popular because it allows you to savor the delicious abundance of the village.

However, the current Furusato Nozei system tends to focus solely on the "luxury" or "value" of the gifts, leading to a problem of escalating competition among municipalities. But Sarufutsu Village is practicing an approach that connects donations to a "richer life in the village."

This means using the funds obtained from the Furusato Nozei program for the "future town-building of the village." Specifically, they are setting up greenhouses to conduct research on cultivating strawberries and leafy vegetables to create new industries. They are also linking the cultivation process to food education and have launched a "Food and Health Project" in collaboration with nutritionists, chefs, and public health nurses to have villagers eat the harvested produce and improve their health. They are exploring initiatives to support villagers' health through food.

Newly established greenhouse (Photo courtesy of Sarufutsu Village)

Vegetables grown in the greenhouse (Photo courtesy of Sarufutsu Village)

Recruiting for the Community-Reactivating Cooperator Squad

Sarufutsu Village has started research on agriculture using greenhouses this year. Currently, two members of the Community-Reactivating Cooperator Squad are involved, and they are looking to expand their team.
If you are interested in agriculture or new projects, please apply!
For details, click here

Conclusion

Sarufutsu, Japan's northernmost village, is a charming place full of delicious food, wonderful people, a great quality of life, and hope for the future.

Why not consider making a Furusato Nozei donation to not only savor the tastes of the village but also contribute to its future?

Official Furusato Nozei Website for Sarufutsu Village, Hokkaido