Allport Editions, a Hokusei North America partner, is well-known for its wide variety of artistic, thoughtful, and smile-evoking greeting cards. However, Allport also carries a wide variety of jigsaw puzzles, sales of which have helped the company carry on during the coronavirus pandemic. The reason for this boost to Allport's business is that jigsaw puzzles [...]
As a very appropriate and uplifting gesture during the coronavirus epidemic and corresponding explosive usage of Zoom videoconferencing service, the Portland Japanese Garden is offering free, downloadable Zoom backgrounds. For Spring 2021, the Zoom background is fittingly, a photo of an amazingly beautiful flowering cherry tree in front of the Portland Japanese Garden's Pavilion Gallery. [...]
Yesterday, February 28th, marked the one-year anniversary of the first known COVID-19 case in Oregon. Since that day a year ago, the state (not to mention the world) has gone through a seemingly unending series of changes and trials that have drastically altered Oregonians' lifestyles, attitudes, and economic situations. We would like to extend our [...]
Perhaps not know by many, but Toyama Prefecture* is Oregon's sister state in Japan, and 2021 is the 30th anniversary of this SistermState relationship. Although Toyama is not visited as much by tourists as Tokyo and Kyoto, it deserves to be on the "must see" list of any visitor to Japan. Oregon is suitably paired [...]
Recently, the Hokusei North America team received an inquiry about hazelnuts from a potential Japanese client. Although we knew that hazelnuts are grown in Oregon (and that they taste pretty good on salads). So in the process of working on this project, we learned a few interesting things about hazelnuts: Oregon accounts for nearly 100% [...]
Hokusei North America is kicking off the new year with another shipment of fruit purees from Oregon Fruit Products, for Japanese brewers. This will be the biggest shipment yet, consisting of 6 different puree types, the most popular being blackberry puree. The increased demand from Japanese brewers for Oregon Fruit Products’ fruit purees stems from [...]
After a very tough 2020, we finally made it to 2021 (phew). In the Eastern/Chinese zodiac, 2021 is the Year of the Ox. According to the zodiac, the ox represents hard work, positivity and honesty -- qualities which will be reflected by events, developments, and interactions in 2021. The Ox's traits are especially welcome, [...]
As 2020 comes to a close, Hokusei North America would like take time to extend its thanks and best wishes to our various business partners in the U.S., Japan, and Canada. This has been a trying year for nearly everyone, and it has been difficult to watch the struggles faced by organizations and people with [...]
On November 20, Hokusei North America's CEO, Shotaro Tomita had the honor of introducing Jun Mokudai, Senior Advisor at Oregon's Japan Representative Office (JRO), to Toyama Prefecture's newly-elected Governor, Hachiro Niita. The introductory meeting took place at the Governor's Office in Toyama City and in addition to Msssrs. Niita, Mokudai, Tomita was attended by Toyoma [...]
Recently, the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO), announced its Annual General Meeting event, to be held virtually on Dec 4, 2020. Although JASO hosts a number fascinating and educational programs throughout the year, this particular event stands out in that it will be paired with a bento box dinner featuring cuisine from Toyama Prefecture. As [...]