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The Oriental White Stork is a large carnivorous bird with populations throughout east Asia, including Japan.
After World War II, many of the Oriental White Stork’s feeding grounds such as the rice fields became difficult places to find food.
The stork’s numbers dwindled throughout Japan, and in 1971, the last stork disappeared from Japan’s skies right here in Toyooka City.
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Citizens thankfully captured some of the last remaining ones in the 1960s and began to raise them in captivity. They made a promise to the storks: “We will, one day, bring you back to the wild.” In 2005, Toyooka City successfully reintroduced them back into the Japanese wilderness for the first time. Currently, about 350 Oriental White Storks fly grandly in the skies of Japan. Long after being released, many still prefer to stay in Toyooka City.
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Why do the storks still choose Toyooka City? Stork Friendly-Farming Methods
Despite wild storks’ complete freedom to fly wherever they choose, most in Japan prefer the stork-friendly rice paddies in Toyooka City. This unique method of rice farming was developed specifically to cater to the storks’ meat-eater diet and grazing habits - the storks can hunt for small animals in the rice paddies year-round.
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Requirements for Stork Natural Rice
・No agrochemicals
・No fertilizer during the cultivating season
・Management of drainage on rice paddies
・Rice paddy water depth control
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Where to try Stork Natural Rice
Sanpou Nishimuraya in Kinosaki Onsen
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Kinosaki Onsen’s premier luxury dining experience, Sanopu Nishimuraya exclusively selects the best natural ingredients for their dishes. No flavor is overlooked - even a simple side of rice features meticulously selected flavors. “Our chefs include Stork Natural Rice in both our lunch and dinner experiences,” according to Osamu Suzuki, Sanpou’s manager. “There’s a sweetness in Stork Natural Rice unlike other rice grains. We regularly get shipments of this local rice from the regional Japan Agricultural Cooperative.”
Guests can savor Tajima Beef steak courses year-round and fresh Snow Crab during the winter.
Reservation required.
Address: 463-2 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka, Hyogo 669-6101
Dinner: 18:00 - 22:15 (L.O. 21:30)
Lunch: 11:00 - 14:30 (L.O. 13:30)
Closed: Wednesdays
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58N Musubu in Downtown Toyooka
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A boutique-style onigiri (rice ball) shop in Downtown Toyooka with an extensive selection of handmade rice balls. Flavors include the extremely popular egg rice ball and a classic Okinawan spam rice ball. All rice balls are made with Stork Natural Rice.
Takeout only. Open for lunchtime.
Address: 5-23 Kahirocho, Toyooka, Hyogo 668-0023, Japan
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For special sweets: Kinosaki Sweets & Miharashi Terrace
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Both Kinosaki Sweets in central Kinosaki Onsen and Miharashi Terrace atop the Kinosaki Ropeway serve baked goods made with Stork Natural Rice, including pound cake, cheesecake, and Japanese castella cake!
Kinosaki Sweets
Address: 527 Kinosakicho, Yushima, Toyooka, Hyogo 669-6101, Japan
Open: 9:40-17:40
Closed: Wednesdays & Thursdays
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Miharashi Terrace
Address: 806-1 Kinosakicho, Yushima, Toyooka, Hyogo 669-6101, Japan
Open: 10:00-15:30
Closed: 2nd & 4th Thursdays
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Try Stork Natural Rice at your accommodation
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Asagirisou meal
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Kinosaki Onsen inns traditionally serve a large Japanese breakfast and dinner to their guests. Many inns such as Asagirisou include the local Stork Natural Rice as a staple in their meals alongside seafood, beef, and vegetables.
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Need help finding accommodation to suit your needs? Try Visit kinosaki’s concierge service.
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See Storks during your stay in Kinosaki Onsen!
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Book a stork-watching tour on visitkinosaki.com. Together with a professional English guide, walk around to local spots including the Park of the Oriental White Stork. Along with storks in captivity, observe wild storks in their nest. During the spring, you may even see some baby chicks! Stork Natural Rice is of course available in the gift shop.
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Danielle Leveille
Junior Local Expert
Originally from Chicago in the USA. She currently works for Visit Kinosaki as a coordinator for international relations. A lover of Tajima beef and hidden sightseeing spots, she can be found either at one of her favorite restaurants or exploring a secret nook in town.