Labor Thanksgiving Day, Japanese Way
On this Labor Thanksgiving Day, taste the spirit of Japan's 'Niiname-sai' tradition with our Inori Box - and join us in grateful celebration of nature's bounty and the fruits of human labor.
Toshimitsu's Field of Dreams
Under the warm Hyogo sunshine, 80-year-old Marubayashi Toshimitsu tends to his 30 plots of land. Farming runs deep in his roots, back to childhood days digging potatoes with his father. Triumphant potato-digging competitions foretold his future in agriculture.
For half a century, Toshimitsu has nurtured the soil, studying organic farming. His black bean fields, though first sown in failure, now thrive thanks to home-brewed compost and cultivated fungi. Between helping neighbors and learning at Kyoto University, the fields are his classroom.
But Toshimitsu dreams of a greater harvest - a lasting legacy of health for his grandchildren. He envisions his little bean leaves nourishing the next generation, roots enriched by his lifelong organic devotion.
Learn More In The Booklet Below👇
Every Taste and Story, All in One Box
Open the box and discover what you'll find!
A selection of quality products and the stories of where they came from, carefully chosen and curated for you!
Saga-Han Matcha Maru-Bolo
Maru-Bolo is one of the most iconic Western-style sweets of Saga Prefecture, with a history of over 300 years. It is also said to be Japan's oldest Western-style confection. "Bolo" means cake in Portuguese. In the case of Motomura Seika's bolo, it incorporates the famous tea, "Yame," from Fukuoka Prefecture.
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Common allergens: wheat, egg
Also contains: honey
Vegetarian
Kakogawa Snack Pasta
Yahata Eino is located in Kakogawa City in Hyogo Prefecture. During cultivation, they do not use the herbicide glyphosate, making their food healthier for consumption. This snack version of pasta primarily utilizes the cut-off ends of pasta produced.
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Common allergens: wheat
Also contains: N/A
Vegetarian
Koshi Senbei
Toraya-Yoshisue was founded in 1801. Originally, the company was a manufacturer of sake barrels. However, they came up with the idea of creating senbei shaped like sake barrels to give as souvenirs to travelers. This marks the beginning of barrel-shaped senbei. In the Koshi Senbei, peanuts are sandwiched within the dough, making them even more flavorful and fragrant.
__________
Common allergens: peanuts, egg, wheat
Also contains: honey
Vegetarian
Tri-Color Meringue
The brown one is hojicha flavor, and the green one is matcha flavor. At le mauve, they have implemented a system of employment support to aid social inclusion of individuals with disabilities. These meringues are handmade by individuals with disabilities.
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Common allergens: egg
Also contains: N/A
Vegetarian
Hitokuchi Peach
Experience the taste of bite-sized Japanese peaches. They are natural in color and flavor, making them safe for even small children to enjoy. Minami Shinshu Kashikobo is located in Achi Village, which is often referred to as the place closest to the starry sky in Japan.
__________
Common allergens: N/A
Also contains: N/A
Bimi-Zukushi Handmade Okaki
Tsujimo is a traditional confectionery store founded 80 years ago in Osaka. They skillfully blend traditional methods with modern automation to create nostalgic and delicious rice crackers. Now, they offer a combination of their popular plain, shrimp, and black bean flavors.
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Common allergens: shrimp, sesame, wheat, soy,
Also contains: chicken, mackerel
Yawaraka Yakiimo
They are made by roasting steamed satsumaimo (sweet potatoes). Open it up, and you'll be surprised! Its appearance is just like a real roasted sweet potato. The moist texture, just like a freshly roasted sweet potato, is intriguing. The only ingredient is sweet potato, and there are no additives.
__________
Common allergens: N/A
Also contains: N/A
Vegan
Boules de Neige (Matcha flavor)
At le mauve, the staff creates various flavors of brownies. This one has a bittersweet matcha taste. The shop teaches people with disabilities how to make sweets, encouraging their social integration. These brownies are crafted one by one by them.
________
Common allergens: egg, flour, wheat
Also contains: almonds
Vegetarian
Tarugata Senbei
Toraya-Yoshisue was founded in 1801. Originally, the company was a manufacturer of sake barrels. However, they came up with the idea of creating senbei shaped like sake barrels to give as souvenirs to travelers. This marks the beginning of barrel-shaped senbei. In the Koshi Senbei, peanuts are sandwiched within the dough, making them even more flavorful and fragrant.
__________
Common allergens: peanuts, egg, wheat
Also contains: honey
Vegetarian
Hyoroku Mochi
This is a type of rice cake that includes roasted soybean flour, matcha, seaweed, and sweet white bean paste. Long ago, there was a brave young man named Hyoroku. He single-handedly went to defeat a mischievous wild fox causing trouble for the villagers. This snack is based on this legend.
________
Common allergens: soy
Also contains: N/A
Dried Watermelon
Ideca is a restaurant cafe located in Nabari City, Mie Prefecture. They create dishes and sweets using homegrown fruits. This dried watermelon consists solely of watermelon as its ingredient. The natural sweetness is condensed into small pieces.
________
Common allergens: N/A
Also contains: N/A
Vegan
Yasai A La Carte
Tokunaga Seika is a confectionery manufacturer with a history spanning over 140 years. These vegetable chips are characterized by their vibrant colors and a crispy texture. They allow you to enjoy vegetables in a snack-like way, making it easy to incorporate them into your diet.
__________
Common allergens: N/A
Also contains: N/A
Vegan
Kinfuri-Katsuo Furikake
This is furikake made using dried bonito flakes. It can be sprinkled on not only rice but also salads, pasta, pizza, and more. Just a small amount can instantly give your dish a Japanese twist. Hayashi-Kyuemon Shoten has been handcrafting bonito flake products for over 130 years.
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Common allergens: wheat, soy, sesame
Also contains: N/A
Saku-Saku Kinako Soybeans
Arima Hokodo was founded in Kobe in 1912. The founder, Arima Yoshika, was involved in the import control of beans at Kobe's customs office, which led him to start making bean snacks at his own shop. For over 110 years, the company has been exclusively selling bean confections and nuts.Their "Saku-Saku Kinako Soybeans" feature Japanese-grown soybeans coated in sweet kinako powder, delivering a crisp texture as suggested by its name, "saku-saku".
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Common allergens: soy, wheat
Also contains: N/A
Vegan
Black Bean Tea
This black soybean tea uses cracked beans, which would have been discarded despite having no issues in its quality. These beans simply crack naturally during the roasting process. To avoid waste, it is sold as is. Since it isn't wasted, people can take advantage of their unique flavor and health benefits.
__________
Common allergens: soy
Also contains: N/A
Vegan
Bocha: Ginger Blend
Bocha is a type of Japanese roasted green tea, and it differs from the typical roasted green tea made from tea leaves as it uses the stem portion, which has not been traditionally utilized. Kaga Kensetsu's Bocha is blended with ginger, creating a unique flavor profile.
__________
Common allergens: N/A
Also contains: N/A
Vegan
From Language Partners to Life Partners
November 23rd is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan, where people express gratitude to each other and celebrate production. It has a similar meaning to ‘Thanksgiving Day’ in the United States and Canada. In Japan, there has been a traditional event called ‘Niiname-sai,’ where the Emperor offered the year’s harvest to the gods in gratitude. The modern Labor Thanksgiving Day is based on this event.Read more by finding our magazine inside the Inori Box.