120 Years of History and a Commitment to Delivering Nature’s Blessings Unchanged

―― What do you consider your greatest strength and philosophy, especially regarding your traditional additive-free manufacturing methods and ingredients from Shinshu?

Mr. Harada: Our greatest strength is the accumulation of a 120-year history. The principle we have always cherished is to "deliver natural things as they are in nature." Nagano Prefecture is a land blessed with rich nature where fruits and other wonderful materials thrive, and we continue crafting with the desire to deliver those select materials to our customers in their pure form.

In recent years, with growing health consciousness, the demand for additive-free and body-friendly foods has risen sharply. Even as times change, our unwavering commitment to our manufacturing methods and ingredients is now appreciated by many customers, for which we are deeply grateful. Centered around our official brand "Hanakuyou-jirushi" (named after our family crest, the nine-star constellation), we hope to continue treasuring flavors packed with the bounty of Shinshu, including quince-related products, domestic honey, and handmade jams.

Venturing Where Majors Won't Go: Behind the Challenge of Expanding Unknown Food Culture

―― Amidst your wide lineup ranging from standard items to unique products like the buzzworthy "Silent Candy" and "Insect Foods," what were the greatest hardships or memorable episodes you experienced during development?

Mr. Harada: Our basic stance in product development is to "challenge areas and products that major companies do not touch." While it is interesting precisely because no one else is doing it, our biggest hurdle was figuring out how to build awareness for things people didn't know.

Especially with insect foods (such as boiled sweet locusts and wasp larvae) and other unique products we handle, customers who have never tried them before can find them intimidating. That is why we repeatedly held tastings right at store counters, making concerted efforts to directly convey the deliciousness and the important "culture of local dishes and delicacies" rooted in Nagano, a prefecture without an ocean. Every time we see the surprised and delighted faces of customers trying it for the first time saying, "It's delicious" or "I didn't know this culture existed," we feel that our persistent efforts have truly been worthwhile.

"Visiting Suwa for These Products": Connecting Shinshu's Charm Nationwide and to the Future

―― Moving forward, as you deliver the blessings of your local Shinshu to the whole country, do you have any new visions or perspectives you wish to challenge?

Mr. Harada: What we aim to become is "an entity that makes people feel a strong commitment to Nagano and visit us with our products as their primary destination."

While we are extremely happy to deliver our products to people nationwide through the internet and our Rakuten store, ultimately, we want to be a presence that drives regional charm—so that people think, "Let's take a trip to Suwa because of Harada Shouten's flavor." Through culinary experiences that let visitors feel the very climate of Shinshu, such as Suwa's specialty quince products and traditional delicacies, we hope tourists and many others will grow to love the town of Suwa. Balancing the weight of history with fresh challenges, we will continue sharing the rich blessings of Shinshu with the entire country.

[Company Profile]

120年历史与将自然馈赠原汁原味传递的匠心

―― 在传承无添加制法以及对信州产原材料的执着上，贵公司特别看重的“最大核心优势”与“初心”是什么？

原田先生： 最大的优势，归根结底还是120年历史的积淀。我们一直珍视的原点是“将自然之物以自然的原貌呈现给顾客”。长野县是一片大自然恩赐的富饶土地，孕育了水果等绝佳的素材，我们始终怀抱着将这些优质素材以原汁原味的形式传递给顾客的心愿来进行生产制造。

近年来，随着健康意识的高涨，对无添加及有益健康的食品需求大幅上升。无论时代如何变迁，我们始终坚定不移地坚守制法与对待素材的态度，如今能得到广大顾客的认可，让我们感到非常荣幸。以家纹“九曜星”为图案设计而成的官方品牌“花九曜印”为首，包括木瓜（榅桲/角瓜）相关制品、国产蜂蜜、手工果酱等，我们将信州大自然的精华汇聚于此，这些美味在未来也想继续好好守护下去。

进军大企业不涉足的领域：开拓未知饮食文化的幕后挑战

―― 从备受瞩目的“Silent Candy（静音糖）”到“昆虫食”，贵公司广泛涉猎了从经典到独特的各类商品。在开发过程中，最感棘手的地方或印象深刻的小插曲是什么？

原田先生： 我们产品开发的基本姿态是“挑战大企业不碰的领域，做大企业不做的商品”。正因为无人涉足所以才有趣，但与此同时，最让人头疼的是“如何提高大众对未知事物的认知度”。

特别是昆虫食（如甜酱油煮蝗虫、蜂蛹等）以及我们着手开发的独特商品，对于从未尝试过的顾客来说，门槛可能相对较高。正因如此，我们在店头进行了无数次的试吃，通过不懈努力，直接让顾客了解其美味，并体会到扎根于内陆县长野县的重要“乡土料理与珍馐文化”。每当看到第一次品尝的顾客露出惊讶和喜悦的神情，并说道“真好吃啊”、“原来还有这种文化呀”，我们就由衷地感到，这一路执着地推广真的是太棒了。

“为了这个味道去诹访”：将信州的魅力传向全国、迈向未来

―― 今后，在将家乡信州的恩惠推向全国之际，贵公司是否有想要挑战的新愿景或展望？

原田先生： 我们所追求的目标是：“让大家感受到对长野的浓厚热忱，并因我们的产品而专程前来造访。”

能通过互联网和乐天市场等平台将商品送到全国朋友的手中，我们固然非常高兴，但最终我们更希望能成为一个引领地方魅力的存在——让大家觉得“因为想尝尝原田商店那个味道，所以去诹访旅游吧”。通过能够亲身体验信州风土人情的饮食之旅（如诹访特产木瓜制品及传统珍馐），我们希望让游客及更多人喜欢上诹访这座城市。今后，我们将在平衡历史分量与全新挑战的同时，继续向全国发信信州丰饶的恩惠。

【公司概要】