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Fukagawa City
深川市
Fukagawa is located about 40 min. by car south west of Asahikawa.
It's principal industry and major claim-to-fame is rice, and rice fields effortlessly dominate the scenery around the small town center. Rice, if you've never seen it growing, is actually quite nice to look at when in large quantities, if for no other reason that it's deep green color is relaxing for the eyes.
In winter, the almost perfectly flat rice land is blanketed by snow, certainly not so easy on the eyesight on a sunny day, but just as nice to look at.
The best way to get to Fukagawa is by car, with beautiful scenery along the way on Route 12, and simply stunning scenery along the steep mountain back roads.
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Fukagawa Soba-meshi
Not satisfied with being one of the largest rice growing regions in Hokkaido, Fukagawa also happens to be one of the major soba (buckwheat) producers in Hokkaido.
Soba-meshi is one of the local favourite dishes and literally translated means buckwheat and rice (surprise! surprise!). Being the local specialty, and a showcase of Fukagawa's primary industry, the preparation of soba-meshi is subject to some very strict guidelines.
Broadly accepted, the rules are as follows...
① Fukagawa made buckwheat and rice must be used in the rice balls.
② There has to be fried buckwheat in the rice balls.
③ The sauce for the rice balls has to be a soba noodle sauce.
Add to this that any Soba-meshi set must...
① Have at least 2 rice balls
② Come with Fukagawa-made soba noodles
③ Have only local Fukagawa side dishes, and
④ Cost less than 1000 yen,
and you'll start to appreciate how seriously the people of Fukagawa take their rice and soba production.
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 Fukagawa Shan-shan Matsuri
End of July
Essentially a street parade where participants dress in color-coordinated kimono and twirl paper umbrellas while walking through the city's main street.
You'll also find plenty local and seasonal Hokkaido food and drink, and if you stick around into the night, a fireworks display provides a fitting end to a colorful and fun festival.
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The origin of name "Fukagawa"
Fukagawa in Japanese comes from the combination of the words for "deep"(fuka), and "river" (gawa). The Ooho River running through Fukagawa was called "Ooho nai" by the area's Ainu inhabitants. "Ooho nai" means "deep river" when translated into Japanese.
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Agri Studio Maabu
Agri Studio Maabu is a great day-trip destination if traveling to Fukagawa. With onsen (hot springs), restaurants, cooking classes, and outdoor experiences, there's plenty to keep you busy
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Irumu no Oka
Irumu no Oka is a charming little hill-top wedding chapel allowing an uninterrupted view of the Fukagawa valley below. If a wedding is not your thing, stop by anyway and enjoy a meal with a great view.
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One project that we are planning for the near future is an "experience rice" tour. Having driven the rice planting machine for a few laps around the rice patch in the picture above, I can say from personal experience that this is really fun and educational.
For more details, please contact us at;
info@asahikawa-tourism.com |
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