Shizuoka's food cultureKnow

Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has the largest share in the prefecture.No.1It is a major producer of cherry tomatoes, boasting a rich flavor and quality. The taste and quality of the tomatoes have been selected as "Shizuoka Food Selection" certified by Shizuoka Prefecture, and they are also being used in processed products such as beer and sweets. In recent years, production has been supported by "new farmers" who have switched from other industries to agriculture.

*New farmers are people with no agricultural experience who have switched jobs from other occupations, such as office work, to start farming.

This time,JAWe spoke with Yogosawa Makoto of the Fuji Izu Nirayama Agriculture and Economic Center, and cherry tomato producers Yashima Yoshikazu and Kukita Atsushi.

Izunokuni City is not only known for Mount Fuji, hot springs, and historical tourist attractions, but it is also one of the prefecture's top producers of cherry tomatoes. The sight of the shiny red fruits lined up in packs has grown into a regional brand beloved by tourists and local diners alike.

2024The production value of Izunokuni cherry tomatoes in 2017 was approximately13Billion yen. We have built an overwhelming brand power through both production volume and quality. Furthermore, shipments areJAFuji Izu is conducted through the Izu Country Fruit and Vegetable Committee, and is only a few days after harvest.1The products are delivered to urban areas such as Tokyo and Kanagawa within a few days, and delivered to your table while maintaining their freshness.

"One of the reasons why Izunokuni cherry tomatoes are said to be delicious is their freshness. Tomatoes continue to breathe even after they are harvested, and over time their flavor and aroma will deteriorate. That's why the distance and speed at which they can be shipped immediately is so important in order to maintain their fresh flavor," saysJAYogosawa is in charge of shipping cherry tomatoes every day at the Fuji Izu Nirayama Agriculture and Economic Center.

The label features a design based on Mount Fuji and the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, a World Heritage Site, and is imbued with the unique scenery and history of Izunokuni City.

The main variety of cherry tomatoes grown in Izunokuni is "Chika."

Chika's characteristics are3It's sweet but has a clean aftertaste. The fruit is firm and lasts a long time. It has a nice color and a beautiful appearance.

These fruits are grown by farmers.1It is cultivated throughout the year and the fruit is harvested as it ripens.

Strawberry greenhouses have round roofs, while cherry tomato greenhouses have triangular roofs. The difference lies in how they capture sunlight. Cherry tomatoes are a crop that prefers an environment where photosynthesis is active. Triangular roof greenhouses are designed to capture light evenly in accordance with the movement of the sun, making the most of the daytime light.

When talking about Izunokuni cherry tomatoes, it is essential to mention the existence of "new farmers" andJAand support from shipping associations.

Since the Heisei era, the number of new farmers has increased through support measures for new farmers, training programs, and subsidies, and their passion and new techniques have breathed new life into the production areas.2025Years11As of this month, Izunokuni cherry tomatoes are being shipped from "JAThe Fuji Izu Izu Country Fruit and Vegetable Committee has approximately60All of them are new farmers who have just started farming. The average age of new farmers51Age and the agricultural field"Young"The main generation is called

One such new farmer is Yoshikazu Yashima, originally from Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture. He moved to Izunokuni City after getting married and is now a cherry tomato farmer.9We are now in our th year.

Previously, Yashima was busy with his work in the automotive industry and had little time to spend with his family. He began to think, "I want to spend more time with my family," so he decided to take the plunge and enter the world of agriculture.

Izunokuni City is15This is an area that has been supporting new farmers for over 20 years. There are many new farmers in the Izunokuni cherry tomato industry in particular, and it is reassuring to know that there are people nearby who can help with cultivation tips and shipping timing.

"It's really helpful to have an environment where I can easily consult with senior farmers and people from the agricultural cooperative," says Yashima.

Yashima's house has about3,500There are rows of cherry tomato plants. What's unique about them is that they don't use soil. If you look down, you'll see that the ground is covered with an organic growing medium made from coconut fiber called "coconut shell soil."

I switched to this cultivation method just now.4The trigger was the worsening of soil diseases several years ago, making it difficult to cultivate healthy crops using conventional soil.

So Yashima chose coconut shell soil, which has excellent breathability, water retention, and drainage, and creates an environment that supports root growth while reducing the risk of disease.

"I don't intend to pursue only sugar content," says Yashima. What he aims for is cherry tomatoes that are grown healthily, have flavor, and taste delicious the moment you eat them. To achieve this, he spends his days working with each and every tree, carefully determining the balance of water, light, and nutrients.

Next up is Atsushi Kukita, who is from Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.13He is an experienced veteran farmer in his th year.

In the past, Kukita grew mainly outdoor vegetables such as green onions, broccoli, and Japanese mustard spinach. He has now moved his base to Izunokuni City,4We are focusing on growing cherry tomatoes in the greenhouses in the building.

"Outdoor vegetables are easily affected by the weather, so I was looking for a crop that could be delivered steadily," says Kukita. His encounter with Izunokuni cherry tomatoes was a turning point that greatly changed his farming style.

By the way, cherry tomatoes grow quickly, and their stems can reach more than 10 meters. For this reason, a "diagonal training" method is used, in which the stems are lowered from the base once they have reached a certain length and then trained again, allowing for long-term harvesting.

Although hormones can be used for pollination, Kukita does not choose this method.

"I could do it, but I don't want to," says Kukita, who relies on bumblebees. These bees, which only eat pollen, are more docile than honeybees and rarely sting.

The special box contains approximately150There are bumblebees living here.1Each one goes around the flowers,45It takes about 10 minutes for the bees to circle the greenhouse, and once they've finished pollinating, they return to the box to drink nectar.

Cherry tomatoes bloom about once a year.50The fruit will grow in just a few days.3As each leaf unfolds, the next flower blooms, and in this rhythm the plant continues to grow further and further up the branch.

The sight of the fruit filling the branches is truly a "string of fruit." Just like a bunch of grapes, the sight of the fruit turning red from the top down is enough to make your heart leap.

I usually start work in the morning8Around 10:00 a.m. People tend to think that farmers are early risers, but in this region, everyone works at their own pace. In the summer, they may start work in the cool early morning hours, but in other seasons, they take it a little slower.

Kukita also likes being able to work at his own pace without forcing himself. "Cherry tomatoes are great for Izu," says Kukita with a smile.

Although Izunokuni cherry tomatoes are carefully grown in this way, not all of them are shipped. Many are "non-standard" and cannot be sold on the market because they are misshapen or even slightly damaged.

A craft beer called "Masako's Passion," born in Izunokuni City, has found new value in cherry tomatoes. The label features a picture of Hojo Masako and Minamoto no Yoritomo gazing at each other. This striking paper cutout was created by paper cutting artist Chiaki Mizuguchi.

 It has a refreshing taste. The tomato flavor spreads softly after drinking, and it's so gentle that you'll only notice it's tomato. Because it has no distinctive flavor, it pairs well with both Japanese and Western cuisine, and it doesn't interfere with your meal.

In addition, the alcohol content4It's a modest % beer, so even those who aren't big fans of beer can enjoy it casually.

And2025Years9Last month, Izunokuni cherry tomatoes made their way into the world of sweets. The pound cake made with non-standard cherry tomatoes is moist and fluffy. The rich flavor and gentle sweetness of the tomato spreads in your mouth with just one bite, leaving you wanting more.

In Izunokuni City, new farmers are taking on a new form of agriculture, focusing on cherry tomatoes. Even non-standard fruits are reborn as processed products, helping to spread the appeal of the region. Be sure to try Izunokuni cherry tomatoes, which are packed with passion and ingenuity, when you visit the area.