A large mountain with a large expanse of yuzu trees. Take a deep breath, and you will be enveloped by the fresh and gentle aroma of yuzu. The yuzu trees change their appearance according to the season, from green yuzu to yellow yuzu, as if they are changing their clothes according to the four seasons in the Nishimera mountains. Nishimaira's yuzu, grown on the slopes of the mountain, is very fragrant and is excellent not only on its own, but also in yuzu kosho and ponzu (Japanese citrus juice made from citrus fruits). In this issue, we will look at the charm and story of Nishimaira's yuzu.

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Nishimaira, a small village with a population of about 1,000 people, has a variety of food culture that has been passed down to the villagers for a long time. One of them is Nishi-Amera's traditional vegetables, which are rare ingredients. Itomaki Daikon, Jikonnyaku, and Iseimo ...... These vegetables may not be familiar to you, but once you taste them, you will be captivated by their rich flavor. There are people who are working to make these wonderful ingredients known to as many people as possible. In this interview, we asked the people who protect and pass on the traditional vegetables of Nishi-Amera about the appeal of these traditional vegetables and their desire to pass them on.

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In Nishimera, where most of the village area is covered by mountains and forests, rice cultivation has been passed down through the accumulated efforts of the people who have lived here. The village has been cut out of a 640-meter-high mountain, and the rice fields created by the previous generation have been protected for generations. The people of this village have overcome many hardships and continue to study and practice in order to produce better rice. Each grain of Nishimera's rice is a treasure of Japan, with its flavor and sweetness concentrated in each grain. In this article, we will take a closer look at the thoughts of its makers.

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Nishimaira Village, with a population of approximately 1,000, still retains a satoyama lifestyle. The people of Nishimaira have lived with and benefited from the mountains since ancient times. Among the most important food resources for the people of Nishimera are wild game such as deer and wild boar. They are valued as a valuable source of protein and are now an important part of the village's industry. They are grateful for the precious life they receive and enjoy it without wasting it. This is the philosophy of food that has been passed down to the people of Nishimera.

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