A shop that is committed to not using any synthetic preservatives or coloring agents. I have been keeping an eye on this place for a while, and finally visited. The small shop is filled with the aroma of smoked meat, and the glass case displays a variety of hams. The dedication to "ham only" is evident. The owner seemed busy, so I couldn't talk much with them. However, there were flyers with information on how to store the ham and cooking advice, which was very helpful. I purchased a boneless ham. Even from the vacuum pack, the enticing aroma of smoked meat wafted out. The meat was tender, with a delicious flavor of pepper and smoked meat. It was a new discovery to taste the true flavor of ham without additives or coloring. It could be the star of a salad or a great snack with drinks. The price is not cheap, but once you experience the taste and aroma, you'll realize it's worth it. It's a shame that it doesn't have a long shelf life, so you have to time your purchase carefully.

I visited the place around noon on Thursday. It had the atmosphere of a butcher shop, but they only sold smoked meats. It was quite romantic, I must say. The staff were friendly and asked where I was from. They mentioned that they have a wide variety of products on Friday evenings, but unfortunately, I am always working at that time. I tried some boneless ham and it was moist and delicious. I ended up choosing the pepper ham to take home and enjoy with wine. It was so tasty! I sliced it thick and enjoyed it slowly with sips of wine. It's a flavor that can be enjoyed even without alcohol. I really liked the place and it may become another winter pleasure for me.

There is a handmade ham shop near Michi-no-Eki in Higashikawa Town. They have about 10 menu items, all priced around 500 yen per 50 grams. The shop is popular, with many hams already sold out. The owner is very friendly, offering ham samples and providing detailed explanations. I purchased the roast ham, kawagarasu, and smoked liver. When I tried them at home, they were light and easy to eat. The black pepper on the kawagarasu goes perfectly with beer. Although liver is not recommended for gout, it was so delicious that I couldn't stop eating. I will definitely visit this shop again when I go to Asahikawa.

At the Michi-no-eki in Higashikawa, I found a restaurant called "Aoi Mori" that was recommended on a food map. I decided to visit after seeing it on Tabelog. The restaurant is small, with a big display window inside showcasing various sausages, ham, and bacon. I was able to sample about four different kinds (sampling is allowed!). While the tongue was delicious, the bacon was my favorite! It was a bit fatty, but the fat was sweet and tasty, so I chose a piece with less fat to purchase. However, I was camping and wouldn't be going home until the next day, so when I mentioned this, the owner kindly provided me with a cooler bag, which was a big help! (They even included a frozen water bottle in a small cardboard box). Thanks to this, the bacon was still in good condition when I got home. Despite not spending much, the owner's kindness has made me a fan! I enjoyed the crispy bacon very much when I cooked it. It doesn't have a long shelf life, but it's very delicious. Don't miss the sign on the road saying "Open" and "Handmade Ham Shop"!

The owner of this shop is very particular about using only additive-free ingredients. Despite being told by meat suppliers that cheaper meat would be fine and that being so picky would not be profitable, the owner continues to insist on high-quality, safe meat and ingredients that can be given to children. The products have a short shelf life but can be frozen for convenience. Items close to their expiration date are sold at a discount, making them a great deal. The owner is wonderful, allowing customers to sample items before purchasing, often leading to buying more than planned due to how delicious everything is. The shop even supplies additive-free ham exclusively to Dapas, a local roadside station, on the shop's days off.

Every year, before the Obon festival at the end of July and beginning of August, my family goes on a tour to visit our family graves in Hokkaido. The graves of my late father, his parents, and my mother's parents are scattered around Sapporo, Asahikawa, Tomakomai, and Chitose, making it a two-day tour every year. It's quite challenging, but sometimes we discover unexpectedly delicious restaurants along the way. This time, my mother, my brother's family, and I stayed overnight at Tenninkyo Onsen during our grave-visiting tour, and on our way back, we stopped by Tokawa, a place recommended by our accommodation. Among the various shops we visited, this particular shop caught the attention of my brother and me. When we arrived, the sweet smell of smoke already filled the shop, whetting our appetites. The owner seemed to be the only one making the products, and we were able to sample various items. They mentioned that they do not use any preservatives or artificial coloring, which explains the light color of the products. It was evident how vibrant the colors of ham and bacon sold in stores are compared to these. We tried boneless ham, bacon, shoulder bacon, and freshly smoked liver that had not yet been packed. The flavors were mild, allowing the taste of the meat to shine through. The tender taste with a hint of smoke makes it a great snack with alcohol. In the end, we bought boneless ham, bacon, and smoked tongue. When we tried them at home later, they were delicious on their own or in salads. The bacon was also tasty when cooked. The ham and smoked tongue were good as they were, while the bacon was surprisingly delicious raw. It pairs well with beer and a soft red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes, like a Burgundy. Since they don't use any preservatives, the shelf life varies from a few days to about two weeks, making it a bit challenging to bring them as souvenirs for a long distance. However, I believe it is worth buying and bringing back home. These handmade hams and bacons, made by the owner as a hobby, are truly a great find. I look forward to stopping by again on next year's grave-visiting tour.

Please be honest in living!! Me?? I'm a weirdo who will say things like "You turned green... hurry up and go!" I've been fired from two jobs because of this habit... it's just my quirk. It annoys me when people turn green but don't move forward. Even if the driver is a Benz-riding CEO, once they say something, it's too late for me... I regret it later. That's life. I once loudly badmouthed a CEO who was climbing the stairs without realizing, and I turned blue with regret. I've been through a lot of times like that. It's tough not to get scolded in those situations. "You're still immature," they say, referring to the color blue, which is famously known to be inspired by the Yokohama Mariners' uniform color, but it actually refers to Mongolian spots. Mongolian spots disappear by around age 5, but the term is used to refer to someone who still acts childish even when they're older. Did you learn something new? That's why it's called "Aoi Mori" bakery, right? Or is it a bento shop? The note says so, but the shop I found doesn't seem like a bento shop. I park a little away and try entering. It smells good, and I like these kinds of shops, so I go in. The outside menu has various items written, but the old man says, "This is all that's left." I get the smoked bacon and smoked chicken breast. It's quite expensive. He says, "On Saturdays, what's left is usually the fatty stuff." "Less fat is better, right?!" I say while choosing. I'm curious about the smoked items. I also get the smoked chicken breast. This shop has become the most expensive one I've been to today. My wife will definitely be pleased with this. It's a great addition to potato salad. It's an Italian potato salad. It's not very attractive, but the bacon is strong in flavor. I pour some wine. The bacon has a great smoky flavor. The chicken breast is tough, but the smoky and salty taste is good... maybe it's a bit too smoky, making it hard? The bacon is turned into a spicy peperoncino. I asked for it to be spicy, and they used our house's chili peppers... it's extra spicy! The garlic is too weak... despite that, the bacon saves the day and makes it delicious.

Pork belly bacon, chicken tenderloin