Variety set: 1000 yen

In April 2016, while running through the shopping street in Nayoro, I came across a shop with a car parked in front of it. The sign read "Cheese Factory Mayakka." Upon further research, I found out that it is a shop that sells handmade cheese and yogurt without any additives, as part of a vocational support program. They offer four types of cheese - Camembert, Mozzarella, Gouda, and String cheese, with the option to buy half-sized portions which is convenient. They also have a variety set with half-sized portions of all four types, which is a great deal. The staff at the shop were very friendly and provided information on the cheeses and when they are best enjoyed. I purchased Camembert, Gouda, and the variety set. On my way home, I bought red wine from Seikoma and enjoyed a drink at home. The Gouda cheese, aged for 6 months, had a rich flavor that paired well with the red wine. I think I will let the Camembert cheese age a bit more before eating it. I don't mind the young taste it has now, but I enjoy gradually aging it to savor the changing flavors. Oh, I ended up drinking too much.

~ September 1, 2013, 3rd day of the trip to Nayoro, Hokkaido ~ The probability of visitors from outside the prefecture visiting Nayoro as a tourist destination is quite low. However, I stayed for 2 nights in this town and found it to be a really nice place. As is typical in Hokkaido, the roads are wide and traffic is minimal, making the town quiet. Most of all, the people in Nayoro are kind and polite. Unfortunately, I couldn't visit the observatory I was looking forward to, Kitasubaru, but I did have the chance to visit the "Nayoro Industry Festival - Japan's Best Mochi Rice Fiesta" nearby. I discovered some unique and exclusive sweets that are only found in Nayoro. The festival was bustling with many stalls, including a popular one selling "Akafuku," which seemed to attract long lines. Since I couldn't order it online, it was indeed a rare find. While there are plenty of popular sweets and souvenirs available at the airport, I wanted to buy something unique to Nayoro as a token of appreciation for the hospitality I received. That's when I noticed a sign at a booth that stood out next to "Cheese" and "Yogurt" - "Kurosenkoku" (Black Thousand Stones). It appeared to be black objects inside yogurt, resembling tapioca in milk. I was offered a sample, and to my surprise, it was delicious with a unique texture, like a combination of yogurt and sweet red bean paste. Although priced slightly higher at 330 yen per piece in a glass container, I later learned that Kurosenkoku is a rare type of black bean, which justified the cost. The staff at the booth were very friendly and offered various samples. I learned that their Camembert cheese, made by Mayakka, is a "growing cheese" that you can age to your liking before eating. It was the first time I had heard of such a concept! Encountering this elusive Hokkaido specialty left me completely satisfied. Even in non-tourist areas, there are hidden gems unique to the region, where residents strive to create something special through trial and error. Discovering these local treasures truly made me feel like I had accomplished the goal of this trip.