Ayumi Fukasawa of Sosaku Noka Cosmos

Ayumi Fukasawa
Sosaku Noka Cosmos Staff

Originally from Ishioka City in Ibaraki Prefecture, Ms. Fukasawa lived in Ibaraki until she was 20, then moved to Saitama where she worked as a nursery school teacher. It was during that time that she went to volunteer in Kamaishi to help build a rock climbing wall at Cosmos Park, and she began to visit the city more frequently. In April 2016, she moved to Kamaishi with hopes of helping out in the local community.

She is currently a staff member of Sosaku Noka Cosmos, where she is working on the product development of Kasshi persimmon.

Regional revitalization using local special products as a tool

Kamaishi's Sosaku Noka Cosmos runs a restaurant that puts a great deal of care into their menu by growing their own ingredients. Ms. Fukasawa is working to develop, produce, and sell new Kasshi persimmon products. Kasshi persimmon, a special local product of Kamaishi, is a type of persimmon that is made by oxidizing the fruit at a low temperature for a week.

On April 28, rare cheesecake and jam made using the persimmons were newly released.
"Food plays a very important role in a child's growth, so I was interested in foods that are good for your body. Rather than wanting to sell a lot of products, I want to have people see Kasshi persimmon and know more about the Kasshi area of Kamaishi, to support Kamaishi, and to want to go to Kamaishi," said Ms. Fukusawa as she expresses her thoughts on Kasshi persimmon being one of the tools to revitalize the local area.

Building a community that focuses on the next generation

"Kamaishi is rich in nature, with the ocean, mountains, and rivers. I think it's a lovely place with lots of cheerful and positive people," said Ms. Fukusawa on her impression of Kamaishi. "Right now there are sea walls set up that prevent a view of the ocean, but I think it's fine as long as we make it a place where nature and mankind co-exist. It feels like children have less and less opportunities to experience nature, so I want to be involved in more activities working with children as well." She is pouring great effort into building a town that focuses on the next generation.