Yesterday, the Obihiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) delegation met with Kedah Food Valley members in Kuala Lumpur for a project achievement report and opinion exchange meeting. The members announced the establishment of the KFV Consortium and shared their plans for the future.
The Tokachi Marche is one of the Tokachi region`s largest food and music events, featuring over 130 food stands offering dishes and food products made with Tokachi ingredients. It was first held in 2011 with the aim of promoting the local consumption of local products, and conveying the quality of Tokachi food. Previously, delegates from Malaysia`s Kedah State also joined the event as a guest exhibitor. This year`s event will be held from September 1 (Fri) to September 3 (Sun) in a venue that surrounds Obihiro Station.
The island group of Langkawi was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2007, becoming the first Geopark in Southeast Asia. One of the three geoparks in Langkawi is the Kilim Geoforest Park. Stretching across the eastern part of the main island, this place features a sprawling mangrove forest and gigantic limestone rock formations that formed some 500 million years ago. It is also home to a rich ecosystem of diverse flora and fauna.
One of the most popular activities at Kilim Geoforest Park is the Mangrove Tour that includes a variety of activities such as a kayak river cruise, eagle watching, monkey feeding, and a hike into a bat cave.
Country Home Fukei is a small dairy factory and café operated by a dairy farm in Shikaoi Town. Some of their products include milk, yogurt, and cheese, which are sold in many local shops as well as in restaurants and hotels all over Japan. At the café, they serve meals and soft serve ice cream made with the farm`s fresh milk. The cozy café is surrounded by relaxing nature, and has become a popular spot with both locals and tourists alike.
One popular nature activity in Kedah is the Tree Top Walk Sungai Sedim in the Kulim district. It features a 925-meter-long walkway through a rainforest canopy. At its highest point, the walkway has a height of 26 meters above the forest floor. The iron mesh walkway gives you a thrilling view of the trees and the rivers below.
The Tokachi Farmer`s Market is a summer pop-up market held on Saturday mornings from July to September at the Midorigaoka Park in Obihiro City. It features stalls and food trucks that sell fresh local produce, food made with Tokachi ingredients, unique handicrafts, and more. It`s a great place to enjoy the flavors of Tokachi while relaxing in refreshing greenery.
The event will be held this year on the following dates: July 22 (Sat) 9:00~14:00 July 29 (Sat) 9:00~14:00 August 12 (Sat) 9:00~14:00 August 26 (Sat) 9:00~14:00 September 9 (Sat) 9:00~14:00 September 23 (Sat) 9:00~14:00
Pekan Rabu, which literally means "Wednesday Market" in Malay, is a shopping complex in Alor Setar, the capital of Kedah. It features over 300 stalls that sell a wide range of products, from agricultural produce to local delicacies, textiles, clothing, and traditional handicrafts. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike.
Last week, 7 Malaysians came to Tokachi under the Kedah Food Valley JICA Partnership Program to learn about agrotourism and food processing techniques in Tokachi. Some of the places they visited include the International Agricultural Machinery Show in Obihiro City, a wasabi farm in Memuro Town, a dairy farm and cafe in Shikaoi Town, a wheat mill in Otofuke Town, and a wheat farm in Honbetsu Town. They also experienced a farm picnic by Itadakimasu Company, a local agrotourism operator. Their visit was featured in the local newspaper.
We would like to thank all the Malaysian participants. Please share your photos of Tokachi with the hashtags #foodvalleytokachi #kedahfoodvalley
The 35th International Agricultural Machinery Show is being held in Obihiro from July 6th to 10th, 2023. Held once every four years, this huge event features over 100 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing state-of-the-art agricultural machinery and related equipment and facilities. In conjunction with the Agricultural Machinery Show, the Food Valley Tokachi Shokusaisai food festival is also being held at the same venue. It features dozens of food stalls and trucks that offer food and other products made with local Tokachi ingredients.
Itadakimasu Company is an operator of agrotourism tours in Tokachi. "Itadakimasu" is a phrase spoken by Japanese people before eating as a sign of appreciation. Established in 2013, Itadakimasu Company works with local farmers to offer unique tours and activities. One of their popular tours is a farm picnic where you can visit a farm field and learn about the crops and their cultivation. You can also enjoy a special lunch prepared using freshly harvested crops.