Pick and Eat the Aquatic Plant 'Junsai' in Shirakami, Akita
Overview
With a local farmer, set out on a small boat to pick and taste an obscure but prized aquatic plant called 'junsai' in the town of Mitane, Japan's largest junsai-growing area! This plant's unique texture and subtle flavor make it a local delicacy.
Highlights
- Harvest the highly valued junsai (Brasenia schreberi) in Japan's largest junsai-growing area
- Learn all about junsai and its health and cosmetic benefits — it's high in fiber and good for the skin
- Try freshly cooked junsai right after you pick it, and appreciate its jelly-like texture and subtle flavor
- After the activity, buy junsai products like beauty products (at your own expense)
Description
In Akita Prefecture's Mitane Town, board a small boat with a local farmer to hand-pick junsai! Also known as "water shield" and nicknamed "emerald of the water," this aquatic plant only grows in fresh, clean waters, so it thrives in the mountainous Shirakami region, which Mitane is part of. Coated in a gelatinous substance, junsai is enjoyed as a high-fiber delicacy. Its extract is also used for beauty products. This activity is available from early May to mid-August. It lasts for about two hours, with start times every 30 minutes from 09:00–14:00. Please refer to these sample itineraries: Itinerary 1 (No Pickup via Taxi) 09:00 — Assemble at the meeting point; registration and temperature check 09:10 — Move to the venue for junsai picking 09:30 — Arrive at the venue; start picking junsai, which you can try afterward 11:00 — Activity ends at the junsai-picking venue Itinerary 2 (With Taxi Pickup and Drop-Off) Note: We can arrange pickup from and drop-off at Moritake Station by taxi for an additional fee; please see the Important Information section. 09:00 — Meet our staff at Moritake Station; registration and temperature check 09:10 — Board a taxi to the venue for junsai picking 09:20 — Arrive at the venue; start picking junsai, which you can try afterward 10:50 — Junsai picking ends; take taxi to Moritake Station 11:00 — Arrive at Moritake Station; activity ends
How it works
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