Yukiguni Mushrooms

It is definitely autumn up in Snow Country at the moment. The leaves are on the turn, the rice has been harvested and the supermarkets are full of autumn treats like chestnuts and persimmons. Another autumn favorite are mushrooms. As you hike around the mountains here you often stumble across different types of mushrooms growing freely around and they are something of speciality crop here in Snow Country.

Good mushroom harvesting areas are closely guarded secrets among the locals and you have to be careful if you are out collecting as there are some poisonous varieties around as well. If you love the taste of fresh seasonal mushrooms then you may well recognize this character...

It is the logo for Yukiguni Maitake which is one of the best known mushroom producers in this area. Maitake is one of their most prized varieties of mushrooms but they produce many others aswell. They have facilities all over Snow Country and also run an amazing restaurant in Muikamachi that lets you try their produce in all its glory. There is also a little shop and information center next door for all your mushroomy needs.

Snow Country prides itself on the quality of its cuisine and the ingredients that go into it. Mushrooms have long been a staple ingredient, especially at this time of year and form the base for many of the soups and stews that help take the chill off as the temperature drops. The mountains have traditionally played an important role in feeding the local populace. You'll see local foragers scouring the slopes for mountain vegetables in spring and searching for mushrooms at this time of year. A bit of local knowledge and it is amazing what you can find.