The Osano Memorial Foundation

The princess of Bamboo – Kaguya Hime.
“ Once upon a time, there lived an old woodsman who found a bright tiny little girl in a bamboo stalk. Since he didn’t have children of their own, he decided to raise the girl with his wife naming her as Kaguya Hime. From that time forward, whenever the woodsman went back to work in the grove, gold coins would come pouring out from the bamboo he cut. As a result, the old couple became wealthy. She grew up amazingly and was courted by many noblemen.” (Adapted from Kaguya Hime- the Princess of Bamboo).
Based on this Japanese fairy tale, Grapevine staff has accepted to head off to Nambu, the most southern city in Yamanashi prefecture under storm and thunder weather conditions in order to experience, find and savor the best bamboo shoots in Yamanashi ( we also attempted to find some gold coins).

Nambu and Bamboo shoots
During the Edo Period (XVI Century), it is believed that bamboo shoots used to be sent to warlord Takeda Shingen, as a kind of mid-campaign contributions to the war chest. During the 18th century, the moso bamboo was brought from China and since then, due to the appropriate soil, its high temperature and pluvial levels, has made Nambu a place to the growth of flavoury bamboo shoots with no lixivium.
This renown natural privilege worth a monumentum of a huge bamboo shoot near the main train station and also a Bamboo shoot Festival, anually held in late April.

Digging Bamboo shoots in Nambu.
It was a rainy morning when we were taken to a bamboo forest by an experienced bamboo farmer and his wife. The first impression is that we might see all bamboo shoots ready to be cut. Sweet illusion. I have never imagined that bamboo shoots could also grow under the surface. Finding them is more difficult than winning the lottery but I assure you it is as funny as treasure hunt, once you must have eagle eyes to find the sprout, sometimes almost invisible.
Definitely, the most rewarding part is when you find the juicy white bamboo shoot as clean as water, ready to be eaten.

Nutritious Bamboo
Bamboo shoots are highly appreciated by Asians and they are very nutritious containing natural proteins, fiber, aminoacids, calcium, phosphorus, also vitamins B1, B2 and C. They are usually savored raw, cooked with rice, as “tempura” –fried and broiled.
As a prize to compensate our effort in digging bamboo shoots, cooked bamboo shoots in soy sauce were waiting for us. Yummy.
During the bamboo shoots harvest peak, visitors can go to farms where bamboo shoots are cultivated, either to try digging by yourselves or to buy them by the kilo! Bon apetit!

Trip to Nambu
Nambu provides several attractions throughout the year. Its mountainous landscape is guaranteed to enjoy wondrous trekking and hiking experiences to such points as Mt. Shishinzan (1,031m high) which has one of the “100 best views/sights of Mt.Fuji in the Kanto area.”. Apart from that, for climbing lovers can also try out, the Shiratori Yama (568m high) course; Kangatake (897m high) course; Taka Dokyo (1.134m high) course; Jumaizan (1726m high); Chojagatake (1,336m high); Aozasa Yama (1.555m high); or Shinoi San (1,394m high).
Summer is celebrated with the “Azalea Festival” which attracts visitors to Utsubuna Park where there are more than 70 species and 20,.500 azaleas arranged in what resembles an azalea carpet. Also, many people crowd both sides of the Fujikawa River duringin the traditional Nambu Fireworks Festival which, besides its religious signifiance, aims to ask for protection against low rice output.