Shizuoka's food cultureKnow

The west side of Mount Hakone. The high altitude stretches across Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture.50The vegetables grown on hills over 1000 meters high are known nationwide under the brand name "Hakone Seiroku Mishima Vegetables." A group of six farmers, Nouminzu, are currently working in this area to make farming more enjoyable and accessible. We visited Mishima City to talk about the activities of Nouminzu and their signature vegetable, "mini Chinese cabbage," which is in season from autumn to winter.

In Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture,2015The unique group of farmers, Noumins, was formed in 2015 with the motto of "fun and rewarding farming." The perspectives cultivated through unique careers, such as working at a motorcycle shop, publishing company, and in the Self-Defense Forces, combined with the expertise of farming and vegetable production that has been passed down for generations, are sparking a new movement in the region.

Members are currently6People. Leader Ryuji Miyazawa, Hirokazu Maejima, Kohei Kawasaki, Hirotoshi Kobayashi, Ryota Iwai, Kazuya Naito. They areJAThey belong to the Fuji Izu Mishima Kannami area youth group and are involved in group activities through agriculture.

Noumins grows two crops: romaine lettuce and mini Chinese cabbage. The mini Chinese cabbage is mainly grown by Kohei Kawasaki, the representative of Yamatsu Kawasaki Farm in the Tsukahara district. Kawasaki is also one of the original members of Noumins.

Kawasaki's family has been farming for generations, so he aspired to become a farmer from an early age. After graduating from agricultural high school and then from Kyushu Agricultural University, he immediately began farming.

Kawasaki says that the appeal of farming is that it's up to you and there's no retirement age. "For me, farming is stress-free. I'm always outside in the sunlight, feeling the seasons, and I can keep my mind and body healthy," he says, describing the rewards of his job.

2015The year was a trying one for farmers, with record-breaking snowfall and greenhouses collapsing. Despite these adversities, Kawasaki joined hands with young members of the agricultural cooperative to explore new possibilities. official"Mishima Veggie Marche" was born from the idea that "people should feel closer to vegetables." Mishima Veggie Marche is an event where a variety of shops set up stalls selling fresh local vegetables, processed foods, food, cafes, general goods, and more.

Looking back on that time, Kawasaki says with a smile:
"We were determined to create a stylish market, so we all worked together to remodel wooden apple crates. The moment we lined them up, it created an exciting space for everyone."

Thus, "Noumins" was born, with the aim of going beyond the framework of the agricultural cooperative's shipping committee and invigorating the local area. This market is still held on the last Sunday of every month and continues to be loved by many people.

The signature vegetable that Noumins is proud of is the mini Chinese cabbage. Kawasaki's mini Chinese cabbage field is located at an altitude of about100mThe perfect arrangement of mini cabbages across the field is truly impressive.

Kawasaki uses fish meal as fertilizer, conducts soil tests every year, and reviews the fertilizer formula. This attention to detail is what leads to the beauty of his mini Chinese cabbages.

Sowing mini cabbage seeds8Immediately after planting, the first3Thorough water management and pest control are essential for the following days.10from the beginning of the month12The harvest season will be around mid-month.

Harvesting is the moment when his skilled techniques shine. Kawasaki uses a blunt knife to deftly cut off the base of the stalk, then carefully removes the outer leaves without damaging the cabbage. Then, a beautiful cabbage appears from within.

As a special treat, we were given the opportunity to slice some freshly harvested Chinese cabbage. When the knife cut into it, the bright yellow leaves appeared, contrasting with the green exterior. This beautiful contrast is proof of high quality. Kawasaki also looked at this cross section and confirmed that the cabbage was growing well.

The harvested mini cabbages are sent to consumers in original "Noumins" packaging. The design was done by local graphic designer Masayo Okamoto. The eye-catching modern design completely overturns the image of agricultural product packaging.

Mini Chinese cabbages can be purchased at supermarkets in Mishima City and eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, agricultural cooperative direct sales outlets, and at Onakashita Farm Santo Moon Kakida River Store.

Daiki Mochizuki, manager of the Hungry Farm Sun and Moon Kakida River store, also has high hopes and confidence in Noumins' efforts.

Manager Mochizuki is so enthusiastic that he visits the fields himself and buys freshly harvested vegetables directly. "Nouminzu's vegetables have a lot of fans," says Manager Mochizuki.

The storefront is lined with heartwarming posters handwritten by staff. These efforts convey the commitment of Noumins to consumers in an unpretentious way.

When you think of Chinese cabbage, many people think of hotpots and stir-fries. However, the true value of mini Chinese cabbage is best enjoyed raw.

We recommend enjoying it raw as coleslaw. By using mini Chinese cabbage instead of cabbage, you can enjoy an amazing crunchiness. It's easy to make. Just shred the Chinese cabbage and mix it with mayonnaise, vinegar, and a little sugar.

It's great for both raw and cooked meals. Stir-fry it with meat or seafood to retain its crispy texture while still retaining its cooked sweetness.

By the way, Noumins' efforts are not limited to simply producing agricultural products.

For example, the romaine lettuce they grow is a familiar sight in school lunches in Mishima City.1Once a year, we hold a "Nouminzu Day" where we serve our produce in school lunches, and we also hold food education classes at elementary schools in Mishima City to convey the appeal of agriculture to local children.

Kawasaki says, "The days of being called a young person are over. I want to move on to the next stage," and he has his sights set on his next goal. That is to support the region and nurture the leaders of the future. Noumins' challenges will continue.