Ayumi Kotani

"Vege-Announcer," a TV announcer who grows vegetables. Now freelance after working at Ishikawa TV.
She travels around Japan, writing columns and speaking at events under the themes of agriculture, food, regional life, and caregiving.

Winter

Day 1

Tokyo Vone Ten

I'm now in Izu Oshima. Now it's time for taiyaki. Yay!

Izu-Oshima Fisheries Cooperative

Kyoko Okamura, a nutritionist and hit product developer using saba mackerel at the Izu-Oshima Fisheries Cooperative. She talked with me with a huge smile on how working every day is such fun. Her smile is contagious. Thank you! ♪(*^^)o*∀o(^^*)♪

Habu Yamaguchi Camellia Tunnel

This is the Camellia Tunnel! I forgot my important selfie stick! Oh no! \(//∇//) The camellia flowers are beautiful.

Habu Bay

Habu Bay was so extraordinarily blue.

Fureai Minshuku Inn Chinzan

The dinner at Fureai Minshuku Inn Chinzan is amazing. A-a-amazing. Takasago dai, medai, horse mackerel, amberjack, and uhhh...Sorry, I forgot the rest. The ashitaba with sesame had a wonderful aroma—I love ashitaba!

Day 2

Cutting Through Geological Layers

Good morning! ♪(*^^)o∀*∀o(^^*)♪ It's morning here on the island. Last night, I slept and wondered what it would be like to live here on Izu Oshima. Two hours to Tokyo! But only two flights per day. *\(^o^)/*

Mt. Mihara Volcanic Crater

The Earth is steaming! At an altitude of 705 m at the Mt. Mihara Volcanic Crater on Izu Oshima, the effective temperature is below freezing! The Earth is alive! *\(^o^)/*

Mihara Shrine

Mihara Shrine is almost at the top of Mt. Mihara. Lava flows are said to detour and avoid this shrine.

Motomachi Hama-no-yu Hot Spring

The best way to enjoy Izu Oshima is in a hot spring facing the sea! Yeah *\(^o^)/* I may have forgotten my selfie stick, but I didn't forget my swimsuit!

Tokara Pony

Tokara Pony Ranch! They love everyone!

Day 3

Mihara Camellia Oil

It's Day 3 on Izu Oshima. The Camellia Festival begins on January 31st on Izu Oshima. Oshima is known for camellia flowers, and vice versa! I stopped by Mihara Camellia Oil (Takada Seiyujo)! This is natural oil made by squeezing Camellia. There are cosmetic and edible varieties. The pink lids are for the cosmetic varieties. Many people use it on their hair and for body care.

4th-generation Takada Seiyujo

This is the 4th-generation Takada-san. About 86% of the Camellia Oil is "oleic acid," and it is effective in lowering blood lipids. It is said to be smooth with no unpleasantness. However, because of this, it is difficult to use to flavor dishes, says Takada-san. I see ...

Camellia Garden at the Metropolitan Oshima Park

I wanted to learn more about Camellia. So I drove a rental car over to the Camellia Garden at the Metropolitan Oshima Park. This splendid camellia garden, with its hundreds of varieties of camellia... is free! I had to go in!

Camellia Museum

The containers for small items and hagoita wooden paddles with camellia designs were really impressive.

Buratto House Farmer's Market

Buratto House Farmer's Market by the producers of the island. Shinozaki-san, second from the left, asked me to buy his ashitaba when I was looking at other sellers' ashitaba.

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