ARTICLES
Local musicians from Nakashibetsu, eastern Hokkaido | Office worker and DJ Kazutaka Shiozaki recommends three "specialties" from Nakashibetsu
Kazutaka Shiozaki
Office worker / DJ He lives in Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido. While working as an office worker, he is a DJ who continues to engage with the local community through music and expression. He appeared on the NHK Sapporo Broadcasting Station production "Local Friends Stay Diary." He conveyed the culture and people's lives of his hometown Nakashibetsu in his own words, which garnered a great response. As a DJ, he places importance not only on selecting music but also on "creating a space," and develops his own unique worldview at local events and small parties. His attitude of continuing to communicate as an individual while belonging to society transcends all areas: urban and rural, work and expression.
■ Click here for Kazutaka Shiozaki's Domingo local player page
It's so good I could cry!
Special "food": Izakaya Ekubo
At the restaurant "Ekubo" in the center of Nakashibetsu Town, you can enjoy the "Tearful Grilled Pork." Tenderly sauteed pork is garnished with mountain wasabi (white wasabi), which grows abundantly in eastern Hokkaido, and topped with cabbage and a soft-boiled egg. When served with sauce and mayonnaise, the sweetness of the meat and the spiciness of the mountain wasabi blend exquisitely, creating a delicious dish that will bring you to tears. They also have a wide selection of sake, and this famous local restaurant is popular with those who like spicy food.
Izakaya Ekubo
■Address: 25-1 Higashi 1-jo Kita 1-chome, Nakashibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaido ■ Business hours: 18:00-23:00 *Food last order 20:30, drink last order 22:30 ■Closed: Sundays, public holidays (weekdays) ■Telephone number: 0153-74-8522 For details and maps of "Izakaya Ekubo", please click here.
The sweetness of the bean paste is refreshing!
Special souvenir: Chilled shiratama zenzai and chilled shiratama shiruko (Amamichaya U An Cha)
"U An Cha" is a sweet shop run by a long-established yokan shop in Nakashibetsu with over 90 years of history. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy traditional yokan, as well as Japanese sweets and tea. Recommended souvenirs are "Chilled Shiratama Zenzai" and "Chilled Shiratama Shiruko," which use red beans from Tokachi and the local Nakashibetsu region. Served chilled, the sweetness is made even more refreshing and refined. It is a refreshing treat for the hot summer months.
sweet tea shop u an cha
■Address: 1-1 Higashi 1-jo Minami 2-chome, Nakashibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaido ■Closed: Sundays and Mondays *If Monday is a public holiday, the store will be closed the following day. 17:00-24:00 (LO 23:00) ■Telephone number: 0153-72-5866 For more information and maps about "Amamiyachaya u an cha," please click here.
There are also play equipment so the whole family can enjoy themselves!
Special "place": Nakashibetsu Town Midorigaoka Forest Park Campground
The walking trails and boardwalks that connect the forest park and campsite are easily accessible from the city, making it a great place to stroll through the forest. There's a high chance of seeing forest friends like Hokkaido squirrels and wild birds, making it a recommended spot for experiencing coexistence with animals. By the way, although it's such a wonderful place, it's still a little-known gem, as it's still in the process of developing as a tourist destination and hasn't yet been given an official name.
Midorigaoka Forest Park Campground
■Address: 3016 Kitanaka, Nakashibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaido ■Opening period: May 1st to October 31st ■Telephone number: 0153-73-2191 For more information and maps about Midorigaoka Forest Park Campground, please click here.
Nakashibetsu Airport is located here, and access from Sapporo and Tokyo is also good!
"What is the appeal of Nakashibetsu Town?" introduced by Kazutaka Shiozaki
Nakashibetsu Town in Hokkaido is a town that boasts high convenience for both tourism and commerce in eastern Hokkaido. It is home to Nakashibetsu Airport and enjoys good access from Sapporo and Tokyo. For sightseeing, it is an ideal base for visiting major tourist destinations in eastern Hokkaido, with the World Heritage Site of Shiretoko about an hour and a half by car, Kushiro, famous for its Kushiro Marshland and red-crowned cranes, about two hours away, and Nemuro, the easternmost point of Japan, about an hour and 40 minutes away. The town is home to a wide range of large commercial facilities, restaurants, supermarkets, drugstores, and more, making it a comfortable town where you can experience urban conveniences amidst nature.
Domingo presents That Person's Special Notebook
"That Person's Special Notebook" can also be read in "HAC MAGAZINE," the in-flight magazine published every other month by Hokkaido Air System (HAC), the "wings of Hokkaido residents." It introduces the "specialties" of each wonderful person in Hokkaido, including local food, places, souvenirs, and more, recommended by them.
