"Sky Rice" - Rice ears floating in the air on a ski lift

"Uonuma Koshihikari" is a top brand of delicious rice, and the Shiozawa Ishiuchi region of Minamiuonuma is a particularly delicious rice producing area, with rice produced around the Osawa River basin being known for being presented to the Tokugawa shogunate and for being used by the imperial family even after the Meiji period.
The idea of efficiently drying the Osawa rice from that area in the sun using a ski lift was born, and so "Tenkumai" was born. Drying rice in the sun using a lift has the following advantages, and allows the rice to be produced in the finest quality, bringing out the best flavor.
(1) Compared to conventional sun drying, it is possible to process rice in a shorter time with fewer people.
(2) The speed and direction of the lift can be freely controlled, making it possible to optimally adjust the angle and duration at which the rice is exposed to wind and sunlight.
(3) The lift with the rice hanging from it can be stored in the hangar as is, so it can dry without being exposed to sudden rain or night dew.

• After harvesting, rice is hung upside down and dried in the sun for several days, which allows the "umami" components remaining in the ears of rice to be absorbed by the rice grains and at the same time ensures that the rice grains have the right amount of moisture.
• During the harvest season, cosmos bloom and create an autumn landscape.
• We will be holding a Niigata delicious lottery (products are for Image)

On selected tours to Niigata, we will be serving Meals made with the new year's "Tenkumai" rice, and we will also be running a campaign where you can enter a raffle to win Tenkumai (3-go pack) and Niigata specialties. Eat the new year's "Tenkumai" rice and satisfy your autumn appetite!
*Please note that the tour will not include visits to areas where clothes are dried in the sun.

The Tenkumai production process (until Tenkumai is made)

During the Meals, you will be able to try Tenku Rice, but we will also show you around the production site, including the sun-drying process on the lift, which you will not be able to see on the day.

Comments from the local Tenkumai project organizers

Masato Hasegawa, JLC Corporation

Please enjoy the luster and aroma of freshly cooked rice. Tenkumai is made from Koshihikari rice lovingly grown by farmers in the Osawa region, known locally as a producer of the finest rice, and is slowly and carefully dried in the sun using a ski lift to bring out the best flavor of the rice.
This offer is sure to sell out, so please take this opportunity to come with Club Tourism and try Tenku Rice.
Also, the luster and aroma of the rice once cooked is exceptional, so I hope you enjoy it.